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.
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Paducah Environmental Remediation
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The goal of the Environmental Cleanup Program is to evaluate and take appropriate actions to ensure protection of human health and the environment....
Paducah Citizens Advisory Board
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The Paducah Citizens Advisory Board (CAB) provides informed, independent advice and recommendations to DOE regarding environmental restoration, was...
Paducah Site Future Use
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DOE has been actively pursuing the environmental cleanup goals at Paducah and Portsmouth sites since 1989. After environmental cleanup activities ...
Paducah Educational Outreach
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DOE encourages students to excel in mathematics and science and to pursue careers in these fields, including through efforts highlighted on this page.
Paducah Site Contractor Receives Environmental Leadership Award
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December 22, 2020
The award is given to companies that demonstrate outstanding stewardship of Kentucky’s environment through energy conservation and air quality.
DOE Awards Paducah Infrastructure Support Services Contract
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December 10, 2020
Today, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) awarded Swift & Staley, Inc.
EM Set to Remove 750,000 Pounds of Refrigerant From Paducah Site
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December 8, 2020
EM is scheduled this year to remove 750,000 Pounds of R-114 refrigerant, commonly known as Freon, from the Paducah Site.
Paducah Marks 25 Years of Successful Pump-and-Treat Operations
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November 17, 2020
EM’s Paducah Site has been the safe operation of the system to treat and reduce groundwater contamination.
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