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
Cole Ayres, a senior industrial hygienist, was recently named to the National Safety Council's “Rising Stars of Safety” Class of 2026 🌟
This award recognizes outstanding safety professionals under the age of 40 who demonstrate a dedication to continuous safety improvement and innovative leadership.
🏆 Ayres was recognized for designing and implementing a digital tracking & event reporting system for UCOR’s extensive respiratory protection program. The digitized platform replaces manual logs and enables real-time tracking of manufacturer defects, equipment alarms, and in-service failures, converting raw field data into actionable safety metrics.
Ayres' work has established new safety benchmarks for environmental management programs across the DOE complex. We are proud to have him on #TeamUCOR! 👏
#UCOR #UCORToday #Safety
Our team at the East Tennessee Technology Park is turning environmental cleanup into lasting community value. UCOR supported a modification to the water discharge permit, reducing the number of regulated outfalls from 56 to 43.
By proving these discharge points already meet strict environmental standards, the team eliminated the need for unnecessary monitoring and restoration—saving taxpayer dollars and reducing long-term liability for the Department of Energy - Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management.
Following Vision 2024—which marked the completion of soil cleanup and nearly two decades of major fieldwork onsite—efforts have pivoted to sustainable, long-term land management.
The impact so far:
✨ 2,555+ acres transferred for economic reuse
🏢 25 private businesses onsite
💼 2,500 new jobs created
💵 ~$10B in regional investment
🌿 3,500 acres protected for conservation
🏛️ 100 acres dedicated to preserving historic resources
#UCOR #TeamUCOR #UCORToday #EnvironmentalCleanup
Throwback Thursday | K-25 & ETTP Water Tower Demolitions #ucortoday #teamucor #ucor #explosion
In 2013, UCOR brought down the iconic 382‑foot‑tall K‑25 water tower, a prominent landmark that had defined the ETTP skyline for more than 55 years. The tower was brought down with a controlled explosive demolition, helping clear the site for future redevelopment and national security missions. (First clip)
In 2006, the 60‑year‑old K‑1206‑E Fire Water Tower at ETTP, standing 175 feet tall and holding with a 100,000-gallons capacity, was also brought down with controlled explosives. This tower supported ETTP’s fire‑water system for nearly four decades before deactivation. Its removal marked a major early step in transforming ETTP into a modern industrial park. (Second clip)
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
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.
