Skip to main content

Lapse in Appropriations

Please note that a lapse in appropriations has caused GAO to shut down its operations. Therefore, GAO will not be able to publish reports or otherwise update this website until GAO resumes operations. In addition, the vast majority of GAO personnel are not permitted to work. Consequently, calls or emails to agency personnel may not be returned until GAO resumes operations. For details on how the bid protest process will be handled during the shutdown, please see the legal decisions page. For information related to the GAO Personnel Appeals Board (PAB), please see the PAB webpage.

Nuclear Weapons: Safety, Technical, and Manpower Issues Slow DOE's Disassembly Efforts

RCED-94-9 Published: Oct 20, 1993. Publicly Released: Nov 26, 1993.
Jump To:

Highlights

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the Department of Energy's (DOE) disassembly of large numbers of retired nuclear weapons, focusing on: (1) DOE success in meeting the disassembly schedule and the causes for shortfalls; (2) issues that could affect DOE ability to meet the disassembly schedule in the future; and (3) incomplete safety analysis reports at disassembly facilities.

Recommendations

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Department of Energy Because manpower, technical, safety, and environmental issues could affect Pantex's ability to meet disassembly goals, the Secretary of Energy should reevaluate Pantex's disassembly schedule . This reevaluation should ensure that the schedule for the number of weapons disassembled is at a level that allows for the resolution of safety problems.
Closed – Implemented
In 1994, DOE initiated a program that will include reevaluating its weapon disassembly schedule. As part of that program, DOE considered the views of GAO and the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board. Since issuance of the report, the disassembly schedule has been revised for fiscal year 1995.

Full Report

Full Report (32 pages)

Media Inquiries

Sarah Kaczmarek
Managing Director
Office of Public Affairs
media@gao.gov

Public Inquiries

Contact Us

Topics

Natural Resources and Environment
Atomic energy defense activitiesEnvironmental impact statementsHazardous substancesNuclear facility safetyNuclear weaponsNuclear weapons plant safetyOccupational health standardsRadiation exposure hazardsSafety standardsWorking conditionsPlutonium