Natural Resources and Environment:
Environmental, Safety, and Health Aspects of the Department of Energy's Nuclear Defense Complex
T-RCED-87-4: Published: Mar 12, 1987. Publicly Released: Mar 12, 1987.
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GAO discussed environmental, safety, and health aspects of the Department of Energy's (DOE) nuclear defense complex. GAO found that DOE has: (1) operated reactors beyond their expected lifetimes; (2) processed plutonium in old facilities; and (3) depended too heavily on visual inspections to detect cracks in reactor vessels. GAO noted that: (1) DOE inattention to environmental problems caused by facility operations has created an undefined backlog of needed cleanup actions; and (2) DOE will spend billions of dollars remodelling or building new facilities so that they comply with environmental laws. GAO stressed the need for DOE to allow outside independent reviews of its defense production activities to ensure that they are safe and environmentally acceptable. GAO concluded that DOE needs an overall strategic plan that includes: (1) projected facility requirements for continued nuclear weapons production; (2) the extent of the environmental and safety issues it faces; and (3) actions it needs to take to ensure safe operation of its facilities.
Feb 27, 2015
Rural Water Infrastructure:
Federal Agencies Provide Funding but Could Increase Coordination to Help CommunitiesGAO-15-450T: Published: Feb 27, 2015. Publicly Released: Feb 27, 2015.
Feb 19, 2015
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Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board:
Improvements Needed to Strengthen Internal Control and Promote TransparencyGAO-15-181: Published: Jan 20, 2015. Publicly Released: Feb 19, 2015.
Feb 13, 2015
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Hazardous Waste:
Agencies Should Take Steps to Improve Information on USDA's and Interior's Potentially Contaminated SitesGAO-15-35: Published: Jan 16, 2015. Publicly Released: Feb 13, 2015.
Feb 12, 2015
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Environmental Satellites:
Improvements Needed in NOAA's Mitigation Strategies as It Prepares for Potential Satellite Coverage GapsGAO-15-386T: Published: Feb 12, 2015. Publicly Released: Feb 12, 2015.
Jan 21, 2015
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Polar Weather Satellites:
NOAA Needs To Prepare for Near-term Data Gaps [Reissued on January 16, 2015]GAO-15-47: Published: Dec 16, 2014. Publicly Released: Jan 15, 2015.
Jan 15, 2015
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Geostationary Weather Satellites:
Launch Date Nears, but Remaining Schedule Risks Need to be AddressedGAO-15-60: Published: Dec 16, 2014. Publicly Released: Jan 15, 2015.
Jan 14, 2015
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Environmental Litigation:
Impact of Deadline Suits on EPA's Rulemaking Is LimitedGAO-15-34: Published: Dec 15, 2014. Publicly Released: Jan 14, 2015.
Nov 20, 2014
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Climate Change:
Better Management of Exposure to Potential Future Losses Is Needed for Federal Flood and Crop InsuranceGAO-15-28: Published: Oct 29, 2014. Publicly Released: Nov 20, 2014.
Nov 17, 2014
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NOAA's Observing Systems:
Additional Steps Needed to Achieve an Integrated, Cost-Effective PortfolioGAO-15-96: Published: Nov 17, 2014. Publicly Released: Nov 17, 2014.
Oct 16, 2014
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Climate Change:
USDA's Ongoing Efforts Can Be Enhanced with Better Metrics and More Relevant Information for FarmersGAO-14-755: Published: Sep 16, 2014. Publicly Released: Oct 16, 2014.
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