Hazardous Waste:
Uncertainties of Existing Data
PEMD-87-11BR: Published: Feb 18, 1987. Publicly Released: Mar 23, 1987.
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In response to a congressional request, GAO addressed the issue of whether future treatment, storage, and disposal capacities will be quantitatively adequate to manage the volume of hazardous wastes being generated.
GAO found that, after reviewing approximately 90 studies and documents, there were significant data gaps, methodological problems, and other issues that precluded it from: (1) relying upon available information to provide estimates of the total volume of hazardous waste; and (2) determining whether future treatment, storage, and disposal capacity will adequately meet the volume of hazardous waste generated. GAO concluded that a variety of uncertainties could severely constrain the planning and management of future hazardous waste production, including: (1) the amount of hazardous waste that Superfund sites will produce; (2) the effect of the proposed law on the land disposal of some wastes; and (3) legislative requirements for groundwater monitoring and financial responsibility. GAO believes that Congress should address certain methodological issues, including the definition of hazardous waste, the scope of waste estimates, and the design of studies, to ensure that it will have the information base it needs to plan for hazardous waste management.
Mar 1, 2021
Man-Made Chemicals and Potential Health Risks:
EPA Has Completed Some Regulatory-Related Actions for PFASGAO-21-37: Published: Jan 27, 2021. Publicly Released: Mar 1, 2021.
Jan 22, 2021
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U.S. Army Corps of Engineers:
Information on the Navigation and Ecosystem Sustainability ProgramGAO-21-240R: Published: Jan 22, 2021. Publicly Released: Jan 22, 2021.
Jan 19, 2021
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Chemical Assessments:
Annual EPA Survey Inconsistent with Leading Practices in Program ManagementGAO-21-156: Published: Dec 18, 2020. Publicly Released: Jan 19, 2021.
Jan 15, 2021
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Environmental Liabilities:
NASA's Reported Financial Liabilities Have Grown, and Several Factors Contribute to Future UncertaintiesGAO-21-205: Published: Jan 15, 2021. Publicly Released: Jan 15, 2021.
Jan 13, 2021
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Nuclear Waste:
Congressional Action Needed to Clarify a Disposal Option at West Valley Site in New YorkGAO-21-115: Published: Jan 13, 2021. Publicly Released: Jan 13, 2021.
Jan 7, 2021
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Hanford Cleanup:
DOE's Efforts to Close Tank Farms Would Benefit from Clearer Legal Authorities and CommunicationGAO-21-73: Published: Jan 7, 2021. Publicly Released: Jan 7, 2021.
Dec 18, 2020
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Drinking Water:
EPA Could Use Available Data to Better Identify Neighborhoods at Risk of Lead ExposureGAO-21-78: Published: Dec 18, 2020. Publicly Released: Dec 18, 2020. -
Recycling:
Building on Existing Federal Efforts Could Help Address Cross-Cutting ChallengesGAO-21-87: Published: Dec 18, 2020. Publicly Released: Dec 18, 2020.
Dec 9, 2020
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Environmental Protection:
Action Needed to Ensure EPA's Enforcement and Compliance Activities Support Its Strategic GoalsGAO-21-82: Published: Dec 9, 2020. Publicly Released: Dec 9, 2020. -
Oil and Gas:
Onshore Competitive and Noncompetitive Lease RevenuesGAO-21-138: Published: Nov 19, 2020. Publicly Released: Dec 9, 2020.
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