News on the world's largest environmental cleanup
Office of Environmental Management
July 28, 2026
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Saving Lives, Powering the Future: House Caucus Highlights DOE’s Isotope Mission
The Department of Energy's environmental cleanup program is showcasing how legacy waste management can drive life-saving medical breakthroughs and advanced energy initiatives. ⚛️
At a recent U.S. House Nuclear Cleanup Caucus event, federal managers highlighted the "cleanup to cure" mission, which focuses on extracting rare cancer-treating isotopes from legacy materials. Read the full story to discover how these cleanup efforts are powering the next generation of American medical and scientific innovation.
SRS Analysis Ensures Safe Transport of Transuranic Waste Drums to WIPP
The Savannah River Site's is resuming shipments of remote-handled radioactive waste to the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant. 🚛
Crews with contractor Savannah River Nuclear Solutions completed flammable gas testing on the legacy drums to verify they meet strict shipment safety requirements. The complex safety analysis, which measures hydrogen and other gases inside each bin, is a critical step to protect workers and avoid internal combustion risks. Read the full story to discover how these safety protocols keep important waste shipments moving forward.
Intern Takes to the Skies to Create Innovative Paducah Site Map
A university student's summer internship at the Paducah Site is helping to modernize the facility's mapping capabilities and prepare for future industrial development. 🤝
A rising senior from Murray State University worked with site experts representing contractor Four Rivers Nuclear Partnership to build a high-resolution map using advanced drone-to-map technology. The software utilized an onboard artificial intelligence processor to capture highly detailed, distortion-free imagery across the footprint of the former Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant. Read the full story to discover how this next-generation workforce initiative is helping to turn legacy liabilities into assets.
Small Businesses Deliver Big in Oak Ridge
The Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management's contractor recently honored six small businesses for their pivotal role in advancing key cleanup projects in East Tennessee. 🏆
Contractor United Cleanup Oak Ridge awarded more than $840 million in subcontracts to small businesses since 2022, far exceeding federal goals. The award-winning projects included readying a historic Manhattan Project facility for demolition, clearing land for a new disposal cell, and developing safety-focused mobile apps. Read the full story to see how small business partnerships are driving the future of the Oak Ridge cleanup mission.