Since 2011, we have been cleaning up contaminated, unused facilities on the Oak Ridge Reservation (ORR). In 2020, we became the first in the world to safely remove a gaseous diffusion plant. In addition to removing excess facilities, we maintain facilities across ORR that are waiting for disposition, and provide critical upgrades to extend the life of active, but aging, facilities.
Latest Updates
from UCOR’s Social Media
Workers at East COLEX are preparing to use a borescope on one of the Lithium feed system pipes to check for and remove mercury laden debris. Once the workers complete their process, Waste Packaging Specialists visually review each pipe prior to disposition. #UCOR #projectpulse
Samantha Dolynchuk is the Senior Project Manager for UCOR’s Y-12 and ORNL Deactivation & Decontamination (D&D) Projects. She manages a team of project managers executing risk reduction scope of 64 excess contaminated facilities at Y-12 and ORNL totaling over 1.165M sqft. “I couldn’t be prouder to be part of the team that ensured UCOR was ready for the Go East Transition and more recently the continued environmental cleanup of ORNL and Y-12’s aging buildings.”
When not at work, Samantha is busy with her three children whether it be travelling with Miles (13) to his hockey games, watching Emma (11) compete at State Cross Country events, or trying to keep up with Beckett (7). She also enjoys travelling, playing golf, wakeboarding, and snowboarding. #UCOR #workforcespotlight
Each year UCOR recognizes exceptional examples Pollution Prevention within our organization. The UCOR Waste Management Transfer of Waste Elemental Mercury to ORNL was selected as one of our Fiscal Year 2021 winners.
During the deactivation and demolition of the Alpha-4 West Column Exchange Facility (COLEX), mercury-contaminated waste was generated. This elemental mercury was purified to laboratory-grade quality and returned to UCOR for storage and eventual disposition. The team questioned whether this purified elemental mercury could be reused, and coordinated among several teams to determine that this elemental mercury could be reused by ORNL. This transfer avoided a number of costs, including the cost to purchase new elemental mercury, shipping costs, and payment of fees for long-term storage, treatment and disposal. Reusing the mercury will prevent over 1,150 lbs. of hazardous waste being disposed in a landfill, preserving valuable landfill space. #UCOR #successmakers
A work crew suits up in preparation for asbestos waste removal activity at ORNL Building 3029. This abatement work is critical in progressing Isotope Row deactivation efforts, and is an essential step in cleaning up hazardous materials in order to move closer to demolition. Once the asbestos and universal waste removal efforts conclude, the team will support the final stages of characterization and begin removing contaminated process system piping and equipment. #UCOR #projectpulse
What's New
Oak Ridge Upgrades Waste Shipment Tracking System
Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management (OREM) contractor UCOR recently transitioned to a new waste tracking system that improves how shipments are tracked from work sites to disposal locations.
What's New
DOE Awards Oak Ridge Reservation Cleanup Contract
From DOE OREM Facebook: “DOE has awarded UCOR the Oak Ridge Reservation Cleanup Contract. The new contract, which focuses on cleanup projects at the Y-12 National Security Complex and Oak Ridge National Laboratory, has an estimated contract ceiling of $8.3 billion over a 10-year period.”
What's New
EM Deactivates COLEX Equipment, Advances Mercury Cleanup at Y-12
Crews are nearly finished deactivating the second of three collections of old, mercury-contaminated equipment surrounding the Alpha-4 facility at the Y-12 National Security Complex at Oak Ridge.
What's New
Oak Ridge Prepares for Removal of Final Hot Cell at Former Lab
Crews are getting ready to deactivate the final hot cell of the former Radioisotope Development Laboratory at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) in advance of demolishing the structure.
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.
