Existing Nuclear Sites Can Be Used for New Powerplants and Nuclear Waste Storage
EMD-80-67: Published: Apr 1, 1980. Publicly Released: Apr 10, 1980.
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GAO was requested to evaluate whether existing nuclear powerplant sites can be used (1) as locations for new powerplants, and (2) to dispose of wastes from nuclear powerplant operations.
Most of the Nation's nuclear powerplant sites can support one or more additional powerplants. Advantages of this include (1) limiting the number of locations committed to long-term restricted use and periodic surveillance and maintenance; (2) easing the burden of long-term care and final disposition of retired nuclear powerplants; (3) reducing the overall environmental impacts from the construction and maintenance of these plants; and (4) saving time and money in completing licensing proceedings. Storage of spent fuel onsite for 3 to 10 years would allow much of the radioactivity to decay, but eventually the spent fuel must be transferred offsite to long-term storage or to a reprocessing plant. The potential exists for storage of low-level wastes at all nuclear powerplant sites, but onsite storage only postpones the final disposition of these wastes. Permanent disposal at nuclear powerplant sites should only be permitted if the sites are capable of meeting regional needs as established in the low-level waste disposal plan being prepared by the Department of Energy. GAO believed that a properly formulated and implemented policy of locating new powerplants at existing sites need not constrain or stifle expansion of the Nation's nuclear power program. Implementation of a policy favoring expansion of existing sites over the next two decades would permit a short-term period of physical entrenchment at a time when the long-term future of nuclear power generation may be decided or more clearly perceived.
Dec 10, 2020
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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