UCOR

UCOR
Name	UCOR
Industry	Environmental Management
Founded	2011
Headquarters	Oak Ridge, Tennessee
Key people	Ken Rueter (President & Project Manager)
Parent	Amentum, Jacobs Engineering Group, ORISE

UCOR. It is an environmental cleanup company responsible for managing the decontamination and decommissioning of former Cold War-era nuclear and research facilities for the United States Department of Energy (DOE). Established in 2011 as the cleanup contractor for the East Tennessee Technology Park (ETTP) and other sites, its primary mission is to reduce environmental risks and support the economic redevelopment of the Oak Ridge Reservation. The company is a joint venture led by Amentum, Jacobs Engineering Group, and the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE).

History

The company was formed following the DOE's decision to consolidate cleanup activities under a single management and operations contractor for the Oak Ridge Reservation. Its creation was part of a broader strategy to accelerate the remediation of legacies from the Manhattan Project and subsequent Atomic Energy Commission programs. Key early milestones included assuming responsibility from the previous contractor, Bechtel, and initiating large-scale demolition projects at the K-25 site, a former gaseous diffusion plant critical to producing enriched uranium for weapons like the Little Boy atomic bomb. The history of its work is deeply intertwined with the Environmental Management mission of the DOE Office of Environmental Management and the transformation of the East Tennessee Technology Park.

Operations

Core operations focus on the safe deactivation, decommissioning, waste management, and soil and groundwater remediation across the Oak Ridge Reservation. This involves demolishing massive, contaminated structures such as the K-27 Building and the Beta-1 facility, while managing vast inventories of transuranic waste and low-level radioactive waste. The work supports the National Nuclear Security Administration by clearing land for modern missions and is conducted under strict regulatory frameworks including agreements with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation and the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Operations also include the management of the Environmental Management Waste Management Facility (EMWMF) for onsite disposal.

Facilities

Primary operational facilities are located within the Oak Ridge Reservation in Tennessee, notably at the East Tennessee Technology Park (the former K-25 site), the Y-12 National Security Complex, and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). The company manages critical infrastructure for waste processing and disposal, including the Environmental Management Waste Management Facility, one of the largest engineered landfills for radioactive waste in the United States. Other significant facilities under its purview include the Central Neutralization Facility and various legacy structures within the Bethel Valley and Bear Creek Valley areas of the reservation.

Major projects

A landmark achievement was the completion of the K-25 site demolition, removing one of the largest buildings in the world and a symbol of the Cold War nuclear arsenal. The ongoing demolition of the K-27 Building represents another major capital project. Other significant endeavors include the cleanup of the Old Salvage Yard, remediation efforts in Bear Creek Valley, and the Soil and Groundwater Remediation Project at the Y-12 National Security Complex. These projects directly support the DOE's vision for converting the East Tennessee Technology Park into a private industrial park, now known as the Heritage Center.

Environmental and safety record

The company's performance is governed by a stringent safety culture and regulatory compliance, operating under the DOE Office of Environment, Health, Safety and Security guidelines. It has received recognition from the DOE for safety milestones, including multiple VPP Star Site certifications under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Voluntary Protection Programs. Environmental stewardship is guided by the Federal Facility Agreement with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation and the United States Environmental Protection Agency, focusing on reducing groundwater contamination and protecting the Watts Bar Reservoir and the Clinch River.

Corporate structure and leadership

The company is a limited liability company (LLC) and a joint venture. The lead partners are Amentum and Jacobs Engineering Group, with the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) as a supporting partner. This structure leverages the engineering expertise of Jacobs Engineering Group and the program management capabilities of Amentum, while ORISE provides access to scientific and technical talent. Leadership has included Ken Rueter as President and Project Manager, who reports to a board comprising executives from the parent companies and oversees a workforce of several thousand employees and subcontractors.

Category:Companies based in Tennessee Category:Environmental consulting firms of the United States Category:United States Department of Energy contractors