Nuclear Safety: Department of Energy Should Strengthen Its Enforcement Program

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO discussed the Department of Energy's (DOE) efforts to hold its contractors accountable for nuclear safety requirements, focusing on: (1) what enforceable nuclear safety rules DOE has issued; (2) which DOE facilities and contractors are covered by these rules; (3) how DOE has enforced the nuclear safety rules; and (4) whether there is a continued need for exempting certain contractors from paying penalties for violating nuclear safety rules.