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Nuclear Science: Information on DOE Accelerators Should Be Better Disclosed in the Budget

RCED-86-79 Published: Apr 09, 1986. Publicly Released: May 08, 1986.
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Highlights

In response to a congressional request, GAO reported on issues concerning: (1) the size and nature of the Department of Energy's (DOE) investment, prior to congressional approval, in new high-energy and nuclear physics accelerator facilities or major upgrades; and (2) the events and procedures leading to DOE review and approval for building a continuous electron beam accelerator facility.

Recommendations

Matter for Congressional Consideration

Matter Status Comments
The House and Senate Committees on Appropriations should include a directive in the DOE appropriations legislation requiring disclosure of accelerator project information in accordance with the GAO recommendations to DOE.
Closed – Not Implemented
The previous Congress took no action on this recommendation, and there has been no indication that the current Congress plans to do otherwise.
The House and Senate Committees on Appropriations should include a directive in the DOE appropriations legislation requiring disclosure of accelerator project information in accordance with the GAO recommendations to DOE.
Closed – Not Implemented
The previous Congress took no action on this recommendation and there has been no indication that the current Congress will do otherwise.

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Department of Energy The Secretary of Energy should require the Office of Energy Research to identify and clearly disclose the preconstruction costs of major accelerator projects in the DOE annual budget submission to Congress before committing large resources to these projects. To achieve this end, the Secretary should: (1) direct the Office of Energy Research to follow applicable internal DOE regulations under which major undertakings should be identified as projects; and (2) consider requiring early identification at the time research is started or when projects reach the stage at which they are specific enough to be proposed to or recommended by applicable advisory committees.
Closed – Not Implemented
DOE disagreed with this recommendation and stated that it believes that Congress has access to required budgetary data.
Department of Energy The Secretary of Energy should require the Office of Energy Research to clarify the definition of an accelerator project to ensure that specific identifiable upgrades or new facilities include all the necessary components to make the projects complete and operational.
Closed – Not Implemented
DOE disagreed with this recommendation and stated that it believes that Congress is aware of the costs.
Department of Energy The Secretary of Energy should require the Office of Energy Research to report complete costs of projects along with their technical uncertainties in the budgets furnished to Congress so that the projects' need, affordability, and priority can be appropriately evaluated prior to committing resources to the projects.
Closed – Not Implemented
DOE disagreed with this recommendation and stated that it believes that Congress is aware of technical uncertainties related to the projects.

Full Report

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Topics

BudgetingConstruction costsCost analysisCost controlEnergy researchEnergy suppliesNuclear energyNuclear physicsNuclear powerplant constructionNuclear reactors