What was once the Oak Ridge Gaseous Diffusion Plant is now one of the USA’s largest environmental cleanup projects. The site was used to process uranium for the Manhattan Project and K-25 until it closed back in 1987. The US Department of Energy Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management and contracted cleaning agency have been working together to remove over 500 structures including foundation slabs and are now removing soil that may be impacted.

The initiative will in turn have a positive impact on the nearby and neighboring communities, making way for more acres of land to be used for businesses which aids economic development. The project has generated over $1.35 billion in investments with plans to build on the land. With new businesses comes more jobs for the community to continue to thrive.

The historical site will also serve as a historic preservation to honor past workers and the technological accomplishments reached. By 2026, the final plans to remediate groundwater and surface water will conclude the mass cleanup.