The U.S. Department of Energy’s mission to clean up legacy facilities is moving faster and smarter at the Oak Ridge Reservation. Through innovation and efficiency, the Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management and cleanup contractor United Cleanup Oak Ridge worked to save millions of dollars in cost savings in the fiscal year ending Sept. 30 to pave the way for the future.

A partnership between the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management (OREM) and the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) is advancing preparations for future demolition of a legacy facility while recovering valuable equipment for national security missions. CNS, Y-12’s management and operating contractor , and UCOR are working together to safely deactivate Beta-4, a 313,000-square-foot former uranium enrichment and weapons production facility at Y-12, for teardown.

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.

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.