Issues Concerning the DOE Justification for Building the Gas Centrifuge Enrichment Plant
EMD-82-88: Published: May 25, 1982. Publicly Released: May 25, 1982.
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GAO was requested to evaluate the Department of Energy's (DOE) current justification for building the new gas centrifuge enrichment plant by answering whether: (1) the new plant is needed to satisfy projected demand for DOE enrichment services; (2) the new plant will enable DOE to substantially reduce the long-range costs; and (3) the new plant is likely to improve the DOE competitive position in the world enrichment services marketplace.
GAO found that the new plant is not needed, will not necessarily enable DOE to reduce the long-range costs, and is unlikely to improve the DOE competitive position. Constructing the gas centrifuge plant on the current schedule is clearly economical considering the high demand for enrichment services and the possible failure of the advanced isotope separation technology. However, the current trend points to even further deterioration in nuclear power growth expectations. DOE currently expects to successfully develop the advanced isotope separation technology, but GAO recognizes that sudden events could cause a sharp reversal in the outlook for nuclear power. In the long run, the DOE enrichment services customers will pay for construction of the gas centrifuge plant. However, short-run budgetary impacts are significant, particularly in a period of increasing pressure to reduce the Federal budget. The budgetary options, expressed in fiscal year 1983 dollars, include: (1) continuing the project schedule; (2) terminating the project immediately; (3) slowing the project one or more years; and (4) completing only the portion now under construction. While offering budgetary savings, the option to complete only the part now under construction would increase rather than decrease the cost of DOE enrichment services.
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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