Vol. 17, Issue 41

News on the world's largest environmental cleanup

Office of Environmental Management

October 20, 2026
Estimated Read Time   min
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One Year In: EM Marks Historic Progress Under Assistant Secretary Walsh

Two professionals standing in a laboratory building wearing yellow hard hats

One year of leadership, historic cleanup milestones and a bold vision for the future! ⚡

Assistant Secretary for Environmental Management Tim Walsh marks his first year leading the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Environmental Management, highlighting record-setting cleanup achievements, improved efficiency and new opportunities for economic development. Read the full story to learn how EM is accelerating cleanup, attracting private investment and transforming former nuclear sites to support America’s energy future.

Portsmouth Site Operators Train for Tools to Slice, Pulverize Legacy Facilities

A group of people in safety gear standing beside a large yellow set of excavator shears

Operators at the Portsmouth Site are mastering powerful new demolition equipment to tackle the massive X-333 Process Building. 🏗️

Through specialized training, crews are learning to safely operate cutting-edge excavators and shear attachments designed to dismantle the 33-acre former uranium enrichment facility. Read the full story to learn how advanced equipment and workforce expertise are accelerating cleanup and preparing the site for future redevelopment.

Idaho Citizens Advisory Board Members View Cleanup in Action

A group of individuals pose for a photo outside a building

Members of the Idaho Cleanup Project Citizens Advisory Board recently toured major cleanup areas at the Idaho National Laboratory Site to see environmental cleanup progress firsthand. 🚌

The visit highlighted efforts to safely manage and ship legacy radioactive waste, prepare a 97-acre landfill for capping and advance liquid waste treatment. Read the full story to learn how these efforts are protecting the environment and supporting Idaho’s long-term cleanup commitments.

Oak Ridge Delivers Exceptional Safety, Cleanup Progress in Fiscal Year 2026

A construction vehicle demolishing a building

The Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management and cleanup contractor United Cleanup Oak Ridge achieved major cleanup milestones while logging more than 1.3 million safe work hours in fiscal year 2026. 🦺

Crews safely managed more than 50 million pounds of waste while advancing demolition, waste processing and land restoration across the Oak Ridge Reservation. Read the full story to learn how these accomplishments are reducing environmental risks and preparing land for future missions.