A new mercury treatment facility is set to be constructed at the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge.
U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander, U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, and Deputy Secretary of Energy Dan Brouillette attended the groundbreaking Monday.
Many of the buildings used for operations at Y-12 have mercury contamination and are in varying states of deterioration.
According to a release from the Department of Energy, the treatment facility will lower existing mercury levels from past releases.
The facility is anticipated to reduce mercury concentrations in Y-12’s water by 84 percent.
It will also serve as a guard against a potential increase in releases as mercury-contaminated buildings are demolished.
