Comments on Pacific Northwest Electric Power Planning and Conservation Act--H.R. 8157
EMD-81-28: Published: Oct 29, 1980. Publicly Released: Nov 7, 1980.
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The Pacific Northwest Electric Power Planning and Conservation Act broadens the Bonneville Power Administration's current authorities to market power from the Federal power system. It includes the authority to encourage conservation, and to acquire additional power from conventional, renewable, and other resources. It also provides for the protection, mitigation, and enhancement of fish and wildlife resources.
The legislation appears to be a substantial improvement over its predecessor. Section 4 of the bill provides for a council, whose responsibilities include preparing a demand forecast, planning to meet that demand, and assuring adequate public participation in the planning process. This is consistent with previous GAO recommendations. The bill is also consistent with prior recommendations in that it charges Bonneville with the responsibility for working with State and regional interests to conserve electric power, to develop renewable energy sources, and to increase public involvement in power planning and policy making. While it does not direct that Bonneville or its customer utilities use specific rate structures or billing practices to show consumers the cost of new power supplies, it does include many provisions which could ultimately lead to rate reforms. The planning and review requirments of the bill include regional demand forecasting, cost-effective resource planning, planning criteria emphasizing conservation and renewable resources, and comprehensive reviews prerequisite to major resource acquisitions. The resource priorities established in section 4 would assure that cost-effective conservation and renewable resources would be pursued before thermal powerplants. The bill also requires contract provisions that intend Bonneville to contract in a prudent manner and to exercise as much control over the construction and operation of the powerplants it sponsors as is feasible.
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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