News on the world's largest environmental cleanup
Office of Environmental Management
August 18, 2026
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Major Deactivation Progress Moves Oak Ridge Reactor Closer to Teardown
The Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management is making significant progress preparing the Oak Ridge Research Reactor for demolition while clearing the way for future scientific innovation. ⚛️
Crews have removed more than 160 waste containers, 16,000 linear feet of contaminated piping, six gloveboxes and approximately 300,000 pounds of lead shielding from the former research reactor. Read the full story to learn how this complex deactivation work is eliminating hazards and opening space for modernization at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
Savannah River National Lab Wins Award for Nuclear Waste Management Innovation
Savannah River National Laboratory has earned a 2026 R&D 100 Award for developing innovative ceramic-metal composite materials that could improve nuclear waste disposal. 🏆
Led by SRNL researcher Jake Amoroso, the collaborative project developed durable engineered cermets designed to reduce storage needs, process complexity and waste volumes. Read the full story to learn how this award-winning technology could advance nuclear waste management for existing and next-generation reactors.
Hanford Evaporator Campaign Reduces Tank Waste Volume
The Hanford Site has created an additional 353,000 gallons of tank storage space, supporting continued progress in removing, treating and disposing of radioactive waste. 💧
The latest campaign at the 242-A Evaporator reduced waste volume by removing water, helping make room for transfers from older underground tanks to newer double-shell tanks. Read the full story to learn how the facility is supporting Hanford’s long-term tank waste cleanup mission.
Inspiring EM’s Future Workforce Through Innovation: Intern Isaac Ryner’s Impact
An Idaho State University engineering student is putting classroom skills to work on one of the Idaho Cleanup Project’s complex waste retrieval challenges. 💡
During his second consecutive summer internship, Isaac Ryner used coding, 3D modeling and robotics to develop a prototype supporting the planned retrieval of 4,400 cubic meters of legacy calcine waste. Read the full story to learn how hands-on internships are advancing environmental cleanup while helping develop the U.S. Department of Energy’s future workforce.