The Paducah GDP produced low-enriched uranium originally as feedstock for nuclear weapons materials and later for commercial nuclear power plants.
The Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant (PGDP) was constructed in 1952 to produce enriched uranium, initially for the nation’s nuclear weapons program and later for nuclear fuel for commercial power plants. The plant is owned by the Department of Energy (DOE), which oversees environmental cleanup activities at the site, including environmental remediation, waste management, depleted uranium conversion, and decontamination and decommissioning. Commercial enrichment was conducted under lease from 1993 until 2013 when operations ceased and the gaseous diffusion facilities were returned to the DOE Environmental Management (EM) program. EM has conducted extensive cleanup activities at the site since the late 1980s and is currently deactivating the returned plant facilities while continuing the aggressive remediation program being managed by its Portsmouth/Paducah Project Office.
Programs
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The goal of the Environmental Cleanup Program is to evaluate and take appropriate actions to ensure protection of human health and the environment.... -
The Paducah Citizens Advisory Board (CAB) provides informed, independent advice and recommendations to DOE regarding environmental restoration, was... -
DOE has been actively pursuing the environmental cleanup goals at Paducah and Portsmouth sites since 1989. After environmental cleanup activities ... -
DOE encourages students to excel in mathematics and science and to pursue careers in these fields, including through efforts highlighted on this page. -
Learn about the Paducah Annual Site Environmental Reports.
Paducah News
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The Paducah Depleted Uranium Hexafluoride project team has marked a milestone by successfully fabricating valves from old equipment and installing them on 137 specialized cylinders.May 27, 2025 -
High school students in Ohio and Kentucky, local universities and the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management Portsmouth Paducah Project Office collaborated to develop and publish this year’s Student Summary of the Annual Site Environmental Report.May 20, 2025 -
Four contractors with the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management’s Portsmouth Paducah Project Office (PPPO) recently reached significant safety milestones, collectively achieving nearly 18 million safe work hours.April 29, 2025 -
The Paducah-McCracken County NAACP recently honored U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management (EM) Paducah Site Lead April Ladd for her leadership and commitment to community engagement during the organization’s Rosa Parks Power of One Banquet.April 1, 2025