Electricity Planning--Today's Improvements Can Alter Tomorrow's Investment Decisions
EMD-80-112: Published: Sep 30, 1980. Publicly Released: Sep 30, 1980.
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Forecasts project that the national demand for electricity could require electrical generating capacity to more than double by the end of this century. Although States have the primary responsibility for regulating electric utilities and overseeing their plans for balancing supply and demand, most States are not well prepared to deal with power planning under changing conditions, and few of them have developed sufficient analytical capabilities to evaluate these projections. Some utility forecasting capabilities could be expanded to better use available methods which deal more explicitly with uncertainty and other key factors, such as price and conservation. States which have taken a closer look at utility forecasts have identified deficiencies and have developed significantly different estimates of future power need from their utilities. Most States, however, continue to rely heavily on utility forecasts and to approve utility investment decisions with minimal scrutiny of forecasting practices and assumptions. Most States lack assurance that the full range of power supply/demand options are thoroughly studied and implemented when found to be more cost effective than conventional nuclear or coal-fired plants. Utilities presently have little positive economic or regulatory incentive to promote energy conservation, solar, and other renewable energy options.
The Department of Energy (DOE) recognizes that it has the authority to assist States and utilities in improving the quality of State, regional, and utility power plans. DOE officials also recognize that serious problems exist in demand forecasting, assessment of feasible alternatives, and public involvement; but they have not taken an aggressive approach to solve these problems. Federal responsibilities relating to electric power are fragmented and involve several energy agencies. Few of the programs implemented by those agencies are specifically designed to improve electricity planning, and are not coordinated through a set of common objectives, policies, or evaluation systems. Under these conditions, there is inadequate assurance that Federal efforts are responsive to the planning needs of electric utilities, State utility regulators, and power consumers. The Federal Government should work to supplement and strengthen, not subordinate, the State's role in the review and approval of utilities' electricity plans.
Dec 10, 2020
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Uranium Management:
Actions to Mitigate Risks to Domestic Supply Chain Could Be Better Planned and CoordinatedGAO-21-28: Published: Dec 10, 2020. Publicly Released: Dec 10, 2020.
Dec 8, 2020
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Offshore Wind Energy:
Planned Projects May Lead to Construction of New Vessels in the U.S., but Industry Has Made Few Decisions amid UncertaintiesGAO-21-153: Published: Dec 8, 2020. Publicly Released: Dec 8, 2020.
Nov 19, 2020
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Nuclear Waste Disposal:
Better Planning Needed to Avoid Potential Disruptions at Waste Isolation Pilot PlantGAO-21-48: Published: Nov 19, 2020. Publicly Released: Nov 19, 2020.
Oct 29, 2020
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Nuclear Safety:
DOE and the Safety Board Should Collaborate to Develop a Written Agreement to Enhance OversightGAO-21-141: Published: Oct 29, 2020. Publicly Released: Oct 29, 2020.
Oct 15, 2020
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Nuclear Weapons:
NNSA Plans to Modernize Critical Depleted Uranium Capabilities and Improve Program ManagementGAO-21-16: Published: Oct 15, 2020. Publicly Released: Oct 15, 2020.
Jul 24, 2020
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Nuclear Weapons:
Action Needed to Address the W80-4 Warhead Program's Schedule ConstraintsGAO-20-409: Published: Jul 24, 2020. Publicly Released: Jul 24, 2020.
Jun 24, 2020
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National Nuclear Security Administration:
Analyzing Cost Savings Program Could Result in Wider Use and Additional Contractor EfficienciesGAO-20-451: Published: Jun 24, 2020. Publicly Released: Jun 24, 2020.
Jun 9, 2020
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Nuclear Weapons:
NNSA Needs to Incorporate Additional Management Controls Over Its Microelectronics ActivitiesGAO-20-357: Published: Jun 9, 2020. Publicly Released: Jun 9, 2020.
May 13, 2020
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Environmental Liabilities:
DOE Needs to Better Plan for Post-Cleanup Challenges Facing SitesGAO-20-373: Published: May 13, 2020. Publicly Released: May 13, 2020.
May 12, 2020
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Hanford Waste Treatment Plant:
DOE Is Pursuing Pretreatment Alternatives, but Its Strategy Is Unclear While Costs Continue to RiseGAO-20-363: Published: May 12, 2020. Publicly Released: May 12, 2020.
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