Safely Reducing Environmental Risks. We are cleaning up contaminated, unused facilities on the Oak Ridge Reservation (ORR). In addition to removing excess facilities, we maintain facilities across ORR that are waiting for disposition. We also provide critical upgrades to extend the life of active, but aging, facilities. This continues the same work done by the former UCOR from 2011 to 2022.
Latest Updates
from UCOR’s Social Media
We are celebrating 25 years of The Roane Alliance! 🎉 Our partnership supports economic development, education, and workforce development in the Roane County community. We look forward to continuing our joint mission for many years to come.
#UCOR #TeamUCOR #UCORToday #RoaneAlliance
UCOR was awarded the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce & Industry's 2026 Environment and Energy Award for Environmental Excellence. Our Chief Regulatory Officer Ashley Saunders accepted the award in recognition of our successful deactivation and demolition of the historic Y-12 National Security Complex Alpha-2 building. 🏆
We safely removed this landmark facility through detailed planning and strict regulatory compliance, protecting both our workforce and the surrounding ecosystem. #UCOR #TeamUCOR #UCORToday
Join us in celebrating National Truck Driver Appreciation Week!
Through our skilled UCOR-employed Atomic Trades and Labor Council Teamsters and our partnership with Turnkey Technical Services, LLC Building Trades Teamsters, they provide transportation support to UCOR projects across the Oak Ridge Reservation.
Drivers safely transport waste, equipment, materials, water, and other critical resources needed to accomplish our cleanup mission. These professionals perform demanding work every day all while maintaining a strong commitment to safety. #UCOR #TeamUCOR #UCORToday #NationalTruckDriverAppreciationWeek
Throwback Thursday | Y-12 Biology Complex Demolition
In 2021, UCOR crews completed the demolition of the historic Biology Complex at Y‑12. This Manhattan Project–era collection of facilities supported decades of biological and radiological research. Clearing all 11 structures opened an 18‑acre footprint for new national security missions, marking one of the most significant skyline transformations at Y‑12.
#UCORTODAY #TEAMUCOR #UCOR #demolition
What's New
Momentum Builds as Crews Take on 2 Demolitions in 1 Year at Y-12 — a First
In a first, the Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management (OREM) and cleanup contractor United Cleanup Oak Ridge (UCOR) have conducted demolition on two facilities at the Y-12 National Security Complex in a single fiscal year. This project continues to transform and modernize Y-12, highlighting the impact of thoughtful planning and sequencing. UCOR recently began demolishing the 13,000-square-foot Old Steam Plant, also known as Building 9401-1.
What's New
Innovative approaches fuel UCOR’s national safety award streak
UCOR has earned its seventh consecutive national innovation award, continuing a multi-year record of improving workplace practices while safely advancing environmental cleanup across the Oak Ridge Reservation (ORR). UCOR President and Program Manager Jim Blankenhorn accepted the Innovation Award at the annual Voluntary Protection Programs Participants’ Association (VPPPA) national conference. VPPPA represents 300,000 workers across the United States and helps worksites improve safety and health practices.
What's New
EM Upgrades Ensure ORNL’s Crucial Missions Continue Uninterrupted
The Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management (OREM) finished a 2.5-year piping replacement project that is crucial to maintain ongoing missions and daily operations at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). This life-extension effort involved replacing all above-ground piping for the Liquid and Gaseous Waste Operations (LGWO) system’s Process Waste Facility. The upgrades significantly reduce the risk of outages that would pause operations at the site and the need for frequent maintenance and repairs on the aging infrastructure.
What's New
First Bite: Demolition Begins on Legacy Isotope Labs at ORNL
An Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management (OREM) team has begun demolishing a tight cluster of highly contaminated buildings on one of the most challenging footprints at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). The aging, contaminated infrastructure presents risks within its tight quarters in the heart of the laboratory’s central campus. With each teardown OREM eliminates hazards, enables modernization and provides land for new facilities to advance research and innovation.
Safety
We Strive to Set the Standard in Safety
Safety is always the top priority at UCOR. We are a DOE Voluntary Protection Program Star site, a designation given to only the safest sites in the DOE Complex. Our award-winning safety performance has earned us many accolades.
Employee involvement is a key aspect of our safety culture. We empower our workers to stop work if they see something questionable. We also have strong worker engagement program to ensure our team members feel safe in their work environment.
