EM’s steady work removing old, contaminated structures at Oak Ridge is paving the way for new uses of land, including a site where the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) recently hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for its new Lithium Processing
Office of Environmental Management
October 31, 2023
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OAK RIDGE, Tenn. – EM’s steady work removing old, contaminated structures at Oak Ridge is paving the way for new uses of land, including a site where the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) recently hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for its new Lithium Processing Facility.
The Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management (OREM) and contractor UCOR finished a project late last year that opened the 18-acre area at the Y-12 National Security Complex (Y-12) for the NNSA facility. OREM crews had cleared away the former Biology Complex comprised of 11 structures dating back to the 1940’s.
This success story in reuse of land once used for the Manhattan Project and Cold War demonstrates that OREM and UCOR are achieving more than risk reduction through their cleanup at Y-12 and Oak Ridge National Laboratory: They’re opening space to support important missions.
The groundbreaking held by NNSA and Consolidated Nuclear Security (CNS), the Y-12 management and operations contractor, marked the beginning of site preparation for the construction project.
“Y-12’s lithium processing capabilities are significant to the Department of Energy and National Nuclear Security Administration,” NNSA Principal Deputy Administrator Frank Rose said. “Both lithium processing and uranium processing are crucial to maintaining our nuclear weapons stockpile.”
The Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management finished removing the former Biology Complex and transferred the land it sat on back to the National Nuclear Security Administration in 2022. The EM project cleared 18 acres of land for the Y-12 National Security Complex to construct its new Lithium Processing Facility.
The new 245,000-square-foot facility will feature updated technology, increase processing capacity and make the work environment safer for employees. Construction is forecasted to begin in mid 2025, with completion projected in the early 2030s.
Y-12 is a supplier of lithium materials to support U.S. defense missions, and it’s the only DOE and NNSA facility with lithium processing and production capabilities.
“The Lithium Processing Facility is one of several transformational projects that are in progress or have been completed here on site,” said Y-12 Site Manager Gene Sievers. “Everywhere you look, our site is transforming for the future.”
Today, nearly 60% percent of NNSA’s facilities are more than 40 years old, with many dating to the Manhattan Project. OREM and UCOR are changing that with numerous projects already underway to continue the transformation and enable modernization at Y-12.
OREM is preparing two large Manhattan Project-era enrichment buildings for near-term demolition at Y-12.
Crews are scheduled to begin demolition on the Alpha-2 facility next year, and they are also making progress deactivating the nearby Beta-1 facility.
“Our mission is especially rewarding when you can see a direct connection between our progress and new growth and opportunities at the site,” said OREM Manager Jay Mullis. “We’re focused on maintaining that momentum to enable and support Y-12’s important ongoing missions.”
-Contributor: Ben Williams
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