Workers at the Transuranic Waste Processing Center (TWPC) have completed the Site Treatment Plan milestone for physical processing of 59 cubic meters of challenging contact-handled (CH) legacy transuranic (TRU) waste. “This milestone of CH TRU debris waste includes waste that has posed technical challenges for the cleanup program, including oxide material and legacy sources that…
Congratulations to Chris Garringer and Tim Carty for receiving a TeamsCount Award! The duo was recognized for their proactive problem-solving and commitment to safety. Y-12 deactivation and demolition crews needed to access existing crane hatch panels in the Alpha-4 facility to install ventilation fans. However, there was not enough information on the panel design for…
UCOR crews are using a hybrid excavator to support demolition of the Old Steam Plant, Building 9401-1, at Y-12, resulting in cost savings and more efficient operations. The equipment uses an electric swing motor that regenerates energy as the excavator rotates, reducing engine demand and fuel consumption by approximately 20%. Its quieter operation improves communication…
Photo caption: Workers clear a tree blocking the Landfill IV access During a recent storm event late last month, the Oak Ridge Reservation Landfill (ORRL) received approximately 4 inches of rain after working hours ended. This significant amount of rain caused a high volume of runoff and a culvert to backup. Several gravel roads and…
ETTP Heritage Center crews have completed grouting outfall pipes on the west side of the site in the K-1064 area, also known as the Rabbit Ears. They also graded and filled the surrounding area with clean fill material to eliminate any concentrated flow paths. The outfalls involved included 262, 270, 292, 294, and 296. This…
The September episode of Energycast focuses on some of the biggest accomplishments of Fiscal Year 2026 – from demolishing massive buildings and finding innovative ways to save millions of dollars to completing a record-breaking land transfer. Other topics covered in this month’s episode include the following: UCOR is taking down the Old Steam Plant at…
The ORNL Transuranic Waste Operations team recently shipped the first concrete vault of legacy high-activity, low-level waste from 7822K to Energy Solutions. The team that made this shipment possible included iron workers, equipment operators, truck drivers, radiological protection, chemical operators, carpenters, transportation, safety, work planning, and project management. “The teams combined experience and teamwork directly…
Y‑12 deactivation and demolition (D&D) crews recently deployed an advanced electrical cutter at the 313,000-square-foot Beta-4 building that operates more than 50% faster than traditional methods. Using this cutter significantly reduces debris during utility isolations, allowing cold and dark activities to be completed ahead of schedule. Cold and dark activities involve shutting off utilities to…
The Heritage Center Closure project has officially kicked off a critical environmental milestone: launching interim remediation actions targeting abandoned legacy sewer infrastructure at ETTP and the Rarity Ridge Wastewater Treatment Plant (RRWTP). This vital project addresses long-standing subsurface infiltration risks by systematically isolating historical utility lines and permanently disconnecting them from modern infrastructure. Crews onsite…
The greatest challenge for the Environment Management Waste Management Facility (EMWMF) Operations team is safely and compliantly managing landfill wastewater, including 5 to 23 million gallons of contact water per year. Critical infrastructure, such as the four Contact Water Tanks (CWTs) at the site, support this effort. Each CWT has a capacity of 240,000 gallons.…
