The Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant (PGDP) was constructed in 1952 to produce enriched uranium, initially for the nation’s nuclear weapons program and later for nuclear fuel for commercial power plants. The plant is owned by the Department of Energy (DOE), which oversees environmental cleanup activities at the site, including environmental remediation, waste management, depleted uranium conversion, and decontamination and decommissioning. Commercial enrichment was conducted under lease from 1993 until 2013 when operations ceased and the gaseous diffusion facilities were returned to the DOE Environmental Management (EM) program. EM has conducted extensive cleanup activities at the site since the late 1980s and is currently deactivating the returned plant facilities while continuing the aggressive remediation program being managed by its Portsmouth/Paducah Project Office.
Paducah News
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U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management crews have begun clearing trees at the Paducah Site to prepare for new tenant General Matter to eventually build a uranium enrichment plant on about 100 acres of leased land. February 3, 2026February 3, 2026 -
Sharing knowledge of the best approaches to deactivating process buildings is one of the ways the two Portsmouth Paducah Project Office sites align to advance cleanup of former uranium enrichment plants and free up land for America’s golden era of energy dominance and strong national security. January 27, 2026January 27, 2026 -
U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management Assistant Secretary Tim Walsh discusses opportunities for economic growth at EM’s Paducah Site with community leaders during a recent visit. January 13, 2026January 13, 2026 -
The U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management partnered with a University of Kentucky consortium and research center to complete field work culminating a larger investigation that provides valuable geologic data for upcoming cleanup decisions at the Paducah Site. January 13, 2026January 13, 2026