The Residential Conservation Service:
Issues Affecting the Program's Future
EMD-82-70: Published: Mar 29, 1982. Publicly Released: Mar 29, 1982.
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GAO conducted a review of the Department of Energy's (DOE) Residential Conservation Service (RCS) program to determine: (1) whether DOE has adequately administered the program and enforced its requirements; (2) the effect of recent budget and staffing reductions on the RCS program activities; (3) the current status and experience of state RCS programs; and (4) the potential effects of key changes contained in DOE-proposed revisions to the RCS program regulations and whether the changes are consistent with congressional intent.
GAO found that a wide diversity exists in the operational status of state programs and much uncertainty and confusion surrounds the program's future. Inadequate DOE program management has severly hampered progress in achieving the type of nationwide program envisioned by Congress. Revised DOE program regulations will probably not reduce program costs as expected, and they could adversely affect the program's effectiveness. As a result, nearly half of the states either do not have an RCS program or are not implementing the program consistent with existing regulations or approved state plans. Although the Senate rejected a proposal to prohibit all RCS funding this fiscal year, the Administration requested no RCS funding. GAO also found that, since local utilities are exercising a large degree of flexibility in carrying out the RCS program, states with ongoing RCS programs have had widely differing program experiences. Proposed revisions to RCS program regulations will not likely generate expected cost savings and may adversely affect the program. GAO concluded that DOE cost-saving expectations are overstated, even if adopted by the states. Over the past year, DOE has exhibited an unwillingness to carry out the program, expressing its view that there is no longer a need for the federal government to require the RCS program; a view consistent with Administration efforts to reduce the cost and burden of federal regulations.
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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