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Crews start demolishing ETTP Centrifuge Complex

Posted at 10:04 am November 4, 2019
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

ETTP Centrifuge Complex Aerial View
Demolition work has started on the Centrifuge Complex at the front side of the East Tennessee Technology Park, the former K-25 site in west Oak Ridge. The work is part of the project to finish cleanup at ETTP by the end of 2020. (Photo courtesy U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management)

The largest and most visible buildings remaining at the East Tennessee Technology Park are being removed.

Demolition is under way on the Centrifuge Complex, according to the “EM Update” newsletter published last week by the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management.

The demolition work is part of the project to finish cleanup at ETTP, the former K-25 site in west Oak Ridge, by the end of 2020. One of the three main sites in Oak Ridge, K-25 was built as part of the Manhattan Project, the top-secret federal program to build atomic weapons during World War II. The site continued to enrich uranium for nuclear weapons and commercial nuclear power plants through the Cold War. Its operations ended in the mid-1980s, and the site is now being converted into a private industrial park.

The Centrifuge Complex has more than 235,000 square feet, and sections of it reach heights of 180 feet. It was built in stages to develop and test centrifuge uranium enrichment technology, the “EM Update” said. The last of these facilities ceased operation in the mid-1980s.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: DOE, East Tennessee Technology Park, Front Page News, K-25, Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management, Slider, U.S. Department of Energy Tagged With: centrifuge, Centrifuge Complex, demolition, East Tennessee Technology Park, EM Upate, ETTP, Jay Mullis, K-1004-J Lab, K-25 site, Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management, Office of Environmental Management, OREM, U.S. Department of Energy, UCOR, uranium enrichment

UCOR contributing $100,000 to new math, science building at Pellissippi State

Posted at 3:24 pm August 16, 2019
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Pellissippi State Bill Haslam Center for Science and Math Groundbreaking May 15 2019 Web Cropped
Former Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam, eighth from left, joins Pellissippi State Community College to break ground on the new Bill Haslam Center for Math and Science on the college’s Hardin Valley Campus on May 15, 2019. The Tennessee Board of Regents approved the name of the building May 14, and the name was announced, to Haslam’s surprise, at the groundbreaking ceremony. (Photo by PSCC)

UCOR, the federal government’s cleanup contractor in Oak Ridge, is contributing $100,000 to the construction of a new math and science building at Pellissippi State Community College, a press release said.

The contribution was announced by UCOR on Thursday.

“Workforce development is at the heart of a new partnership between UCOR, an AECOM-led partnership with Jacobs, and Pellissippi State Community College,” the press release said. “The collaboration is focused on ensuring that Oak Ridge has a continuing pipeline of trained, qualified workers for environmental cleanup and other future industry needs. To launch the partnership, UCOR is contributing $100,000 toward construction of a new math and science building at Tennessee’s largest community college.”

As part of the partnership, other programs are in the works to strengthen small businesses and the broader workforce as part of the partnership, UCOR said. On Tuesday, August 13, UCOR and Pellissippi State sponsored a Small Business Diversity Summit that presented information from global companies about building more diverse and inclusive workforces, the press release said.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Business, College, East Tennessee Technology Park, Education, Education, Front Page News, Oak Ridge, Slider, U.S. Department of Energy Tagged With: Anthony Wise, Bill Haslam Center for Math and Science, Ken Rueter, Math and Science Building, Pellissippi State Community College, Small Business Diversity Summit, U.S. Department of Energy, UCOR, workforce, workforce development, workforce safety

UCOR, Pellissippi State present East Tennessee Small Business Diversity Summit on Tuesday

Posted at 5:13 pm August 12, 2019
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Small businesses in East Tennessee are invited to attend a half-day summit on Tuesday to gather tools and tips on building a more diverse, inclusive work force, a press release said.

“Because of their mutual commitment to workforce development, UCOR and Pellissippi State Community College are offering a free program featuring speakers from global companies providing insights on diversity,” the press release said.

Pellissippi State President Anthony Wise and UCOR President and Chief Executive Officer Ken Rueter will open the event, the East Tennessee Small Business Diversity Summit. The morning’s key speaker is Pat Harris, former global chief diversity officer and vice president of community engagement for McDonald’s Corporation. Harris led the evolution of McDonald’s diversity and inclusion function and has documented that experience in her book “None of Us is As Good As All of Us: How McDonald’s Prospers by Embracing Inclusion and Diversity.” 

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Business, College, Education, Front Page News Tagged With: Accenture, AECOM, Anthony Wise, diversity, diversity summit, East Tennessee Small Business Diversity Summit, Ken Rueter, Pat Harris, Pellissippi State Community College, UCOR, workforce, workforce development

DOE replacing ETTP sirens with new emergency notifications

Posted at 9:19 am August 1, 2019
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

The U.S. Department of Energy is replacing the current siren alarm system around the East Tennessee Technology Park with the Hyper-Reach notification system in Roane County.

The change was to happen at the end of July, the DOE Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management said in a press release Tuesday.

“With this change, residents can now choose to be notified by texts, phone calls, or emails if an emergency situation occurs in Roane County or at the East Tennessee Technology Park,” the press release said.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: East Tennessee Technology Park, Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management, Top Stories, U.S. Department of Energy Tagged With: DOE, East Tennessee Technology Park, environmental cleanup, ETTP, Hyper-Reach, Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management, siren alarm, U.S. Department of Energy, UCOR

Roane State alumnus shared experiences with environmental health technology students

Posted at 9:45 am June 15, 2019
By Owen Driskill Leave a Comment

UCOR Radiological Protection Manager Rodney Bauman, left, and Roane State graduate Brad Ross, the UCOR field radiological project manager, recently spoke to the college’s Environmental Health Technology class. (Submitted photo)

A Roane State Community College graduate returned to his alma mater and spoke to students in associate professor Dan Hyder’s Safety and Emergency Response class.

UCOR field radiological protection manager Brad Ross was joined by the contractor’s radiological protection manager, Rodney Bauman, for the talk at Roane State’s Oak Ridge campus.

“They spoke to my class about the field of health physics,” Hyder said. “They discussed the risks associated with radiation, the different types of careers and working environments, the history of the field, the positives of working in health physics, and how to prepare for a career and obtain employment.”

Ross is a graduate of Roane State’s environmental health technology program, and he has worked more than 25 years in health physics in Oak Ridge, Hyder said. [Read more…]

Filed Under: College, Education, Front Page News, U.S. Department of Energy Tagged With: Brad Ross, Dan Hyder, environmental health technology, health physics, Roane State Community College, Rodney Bauman, UCOR

Secret City Radio Show presents Robinella, Sarah Pirkle on Friday

Posted at 12:40 pm May 10, 2019
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

The Secret City Radio Show on Friday, May 10, 2019, will feature local singer/songwriter Robinella with special guests songwriter/fiddle player Sarah Pirkle and Giffin Vann. (Submitted photo)

The Secret City Radio Show on Friday will feature local singer/songwriter Robinella with special guests songwriter/fiddle player Sarah Pirkle and Giffin Vann.

The Secret City Radio Show will be broadcast live from the new American Museum of Science and Energy in Oak Ridge by East Tennessee’s WDVX 89.9 FM. The show is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. Friday, May 10. You can also listen on 102.9 FM in Knoxville, at 93.9 FM in Seymour and Kodak, and online at WDVX.com.

Amber McBride of Oak Ridge National Laboratory will present some innovative bioscience technology that is preserving forests around the world, and UCOR will present the Clinch River Trail Alliance, a press release said.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Community, Entertainment, Festivals, Music, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Radio, Top Stories, U.S. Department of Energy Tagged With: Amber McBride, American Museum of Science and Energy, Clinch River Trail Alliance, Giffin Vann, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Robinella, Sarah Pirkle, Secret City Radio Show, UCOR, WDVX

Learn about Roane State’s new Chemical Engineering Technology program

Posted at 10:00 pm March 19, 2019
By Owen Driskill Leave a Comment

Roane State Community College students taking chemical engineering technology course practice in the lab at the college’s Oak Ridge campus. An information session about the new program will be held on Thursday, March 28, 2019, from 5:30-7:00 p.m. at the Oak Ridge campus at 701 Briarcliff Ave. (Submitted photo)

Roane State Community College students taking chemical engineering technology course practice in the lab at the college’s Oak Ridge campus. An information session about the new program will be held on Thursday, March 28, 2019, from 5:30-7:00 p.m. at the Oak Ridge campus at 701 Briarcliff Ave. (Submitted photo)

 

An information session about Roane State Community College’s new two-year Associate of Applied Science in Chemical Engineering Technology will be held on Thursday, March 28, from 5:30-7 p.m. at the college’s Oak Ridge campus, which is at 701 Briarcliff Avenue.

Check-in will be held in the lobby of the Goff Health Sciences and Technology Building. The event is free and open to the public, a press release said.

Established with the assistance of UCOR, CNS, Tate and Lyle, and additional partners, Roane State’s chemical engineering technology program trains students to work as chemical operators. A chemical operator monitors, controls, and troubleshoots automated chemical processes. [Read more…]

Filed Under: College, Education, Education, Front Page News, Slider, Top Stories Tagged With: Associate of Applied Science, chemical engineering, Chemical Engineering Technology, chemical operator, CNS, Jack Parker, Laura Hofman, Roane State, Roane State Community College, Tate and Lyle, UCOR

DOE needs more time for K-25 history projects

Posted at 12:08 am February 21, 2019
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

An outside view showing the K-25 History Center, Equipment Building, and Viewing Tower at East Tennessee Technology Park in west Oak Ridge. (Image courtesy U.S. Department of Energy)

An image published in October 2017 shows the K-25 History Center, Equipment Building, and Viewing Tower at East Tennessee Technology Park in west Oak Ridge. (Image courtesy U.S. Department of Energy)

 

The U.S. Department of Energy is requesting more time to complete projects to commemorate the historic contributions of the former K-25 site in west Oak Ridge.

Built during World War II, the K-25 site helped enrich uranium for the first atomic bomb used in wartime as part of the top-secret Manhattan Project. The plant continued to enrich uranium for nuclear weapons and commercial nuclear power plants after the war, and those who have worked at the site have said it helped win the Cold War.

The history of the site will be honored by preserving the concrete slab of the former K-25 Building, building a Viewing Tower and replica Equipment Building on the south side of the building site, and opening a K-25 History Center on the second floor of the adjacent Oak Ridge Fire Station Number 4.

A historical interpretation agreement was signed in August 2012. But it expires this August. And the roughly $20 million worth of projects won’t be complete by then.

DOE is making “good progress,” but “the reality is we need a little more time,” said Dave Adler, acting deputy manager for DOE’s Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management. Adler and Steve Cooke, K-25 preservation coordinator for DOE, briefly discussed the proposed amendment to the agreement during a Tuesday evening work session with the Oak Ridge City Council. [Read more…]

Filed Under: East Tennessee Technology Park, Front Page News, Government, K-25, Oak Ridge, Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management, Top Stories, U.S. Department of Energy Tagged With: 9731, atomic bomb, Beta 3, Clinton Engineer Works, Cold Wr, Dave Adler, DOE, East Tennessee Technology Park, equipment building, gaseous diffusion, Graphite Reactor, Heritage Center, historical interpretation agreement, K-25, K-25 Building, K-25 History Center, K-25 site, Manhattan Project, Manhattan Project National Historical Park, National Historic Preservation Act, National Park Service, nuclear power plants, nuclear weapons, Oak Ridge City Council, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management, plutonium production, Steve Cooke, U.S. Department of Energy, UCOR, viewing tower, World War II, X-10, Y-12

UCOR closed Tuesday due to weather

Posted at 4:01 pm January 28, 2019
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

UCOR, the federal government’s cleanup contractor in Oak Ridge, will be closed Tuesday because of the weather.

“Only essential personnel should report,” UCOR said in a post published on Twitter.

The closure applies to UCOR employees at the East Tennessee Technology Park, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Y-12 National Security Complex, and “offsite locations,” UCOR said. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Business, East Tennessee Technology Park, Front Page News, Oak Ridge, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, U.S. Department of Energy, Y-12 National Security Complex Tagged With: snow, UCOR, weather

Crews start project to reduce maintenance, operations costs at Molten Salt Reactor

Posted at 8:38 pm January 22, 2019
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

The Molten Salt Reactor Experiment building at Oak Ridge National Laboratory housed the reactor and offices for operating personnel. The facility was constructed in the 1950s for a nuclear aircraft project and was later expanded significantly and retrofitted to accommodate the MSRE. (Photo courtesy U.S. Department of Energy/Oak Ridge National Laboratory)

The Molten Salt Reactor Experiment building at Oak Ridge National Laboratory housed the reactor and offices for operating personnel. The facility was constructed in the 1950s for a nuclear aircraft project and was later expanded significantly and retrofitted to accommodate the MSRE. (Photo courtesy U.S. Department of Energy/Oak Ridge National Laboratory)

 

Cleanup crews started a $4.7 million project this month to reduce maintenance and operations costs at the Molten Salt Reactor Experiment, which was shut down 50 years ago at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

The project is expected to save nearly $25 million in costs, the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management said in an “EM Update” published Tuesday.

The cost-reduction project will relocate employees stationed at the decades-old facility. Personnel currently housed in the building will move to other site locations to help with other projects, the “EM Update” said.

The project is expected to enhance the facility’s electrical distribution, sump pump, fire suppression, and monitoring systems.

“Although it was shut down 50 years ago, certain systems within the reactor building have continued to operate to keep the facility safe and stable until it can be demolished,” said the “EM Update,” with the Oak Ridge story contributed by Mike Butler. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management, ORNL, Slider, U.S. Department of Energy Tagged With: Alvin Weinberg, Bill McMillan, DOE, DOE Office of Environmental Management, EM, Jay Mullis, Molten Salt Reactor Experiment, MSRE, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management, ORNL, U.S. Department of Energy, UCOR

K-25 Equipment Building & Viewing Tower: Design complete, construction funding available

Posted at 9:51 pm January 11, 2019
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

An outside view showing the K-25 History Center, Equipment Building, and Viewing Tower at East Tennessee Technology Park in west Oak Ridge. (Image courtesy U.S. Department of Energy)

An image published in October 2017 shows the K-25 History Center, Equipment Building, and Viewing Tower at East Tennessee Technology Park in west Oak Ridge. It wasn’t immediately clear Friday evening, Jan. 11, 2019, if the design has changed. (Image courtesy U.S. Department of Energy)

 

The design is complete and funding is available for the construction of an Equipment Building and Viewing Tower that will help commemorate the history of the K-25 Building, once the world’s largest building under one roof.

K-25 was built in Oak Ridge during World War II to help enrich uranium for the Manhattan Project. That was a top-secret federal program to build the world’s first atomic weapons. During the war, Oak Ridge enriched the uranium for “Little Boy,” the first atomic bomb used in wartime. “Little Boy” was detonated over Hiroshima, Japan, on August 6, 1945, shortly before the end of World War II.

After the war, the four-story, 44-acre K-25 Building and four other large buildings at the K-25 site continued to use a process known as gaseous diffusion to enrich uranium for atomic weapons and commercial nuclear power plants. Officials say the K-25 site, which is in west Oak Ridge, helped win the Cold War.

After decades of use, the K-25 site was shut down in the mid-1980s, and as part of a cleanup effort in recent years, the five large gaseous diffusion buildings have been demolished. But the history of the K-25 building and the site will live on in a History Center on the second floor of Oak Ridge Fire Station Number 4, which is next to K-25’s concrete slab, and at the Equipment Building and Viewing Tower, which will be just west of the History Center.

The History Center, Equipment Building, and Viewing Tower will be on the south side of the former K-25 Building. The site is now known as Heritage Center or East Tennessee Technology Park. [Read more…]

Filed Under: East Tennessee Technology Park, Front Page News, History, K-25, K-25, Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management, Slider, U.S. Department of Energy Tagged With: 9731, atomic bomb, atomic weapons, Beta 3, enrich uranium, enriched uranium, equipment building, gaseous diffusion, Graphite Reactor, history center, K-25, K-25 Building, Little Boy, Manhattan Project, Manhattan Project National Historical Park, Michael Butler, Oak Ridge, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, pre-qualification, request for proposals, RFP, U.S. Department of Energy, UCOR, viewing tower, World War II, X-10, Y-12

State approves demolition of Biology Complex buildings at Y-12

Posted at 2:50 pm January 5, 2019
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Tennessee officials have approved the demolition of two large buildings—buildings 9207 and 9210—at the Biology Complex at the Y-12 National Security Complex, Y-12 announced in December 2018. (Photo courtesy Y-12)

Tennessee officials have approved the demolition of two large buildings—buildings 9207 and 9210—at the Biology Complex at the Y-12 National Security Complex, Y-12 announced in December 2018. (Photo courtesy Y-12)

 

Tennessee officials have approved the demolition of two large buildings at the Biology Complex at the Y-12 National Security Complex.

The Biology Complex once housed more people with doctorates than anywhere in the world, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. DOE has said the men and women who worked there radically enhanced the world’s knowledge in biology, including the discovery of the Y chromosome.

Y-12 announced in December that the Tennessee Historical Commission had approved the demolition of the two buildings: Buildings 9207 and 9210. The buildings date back to the Manhattan Project, a top-secret federal program to build the world’s first atomic weapons during World War II. Oak Ridge was part of that project.

The demolition work at the Biology Complex is being overseen by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, Government, National Nuclear Security Administration, Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management, Slider, State, U.S. Department of Energy, Y-12, Y-12 National Security Complex Tagged With: atomic weapons, biology, Biology Complex, Buildings 9207 and 9210, demolition, DOE, Jay Mullis, lithium production facility, Manhattan Project, National Nuclear Security Administration, Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management, U.S. Department of Energy, UCOR, URS-CH2M, World War II, Y chromosome, Y-12 National Security Complex

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