Analysis of Alternative Approaches to Completing the DOE Water-Cooled Breeder Program
RCED-83-87: Published: Mar 25, 1983. Publicly Released: Mar 25, 1983.
Additional Materials:
- Full Report:
Contact:
In response to a congressional request, GAO provided: (1) an evaluation of the advisability of delaying, reducing, or discontinuing the fuel evaluation phase of the water-cooled breeder program; (2) an examination of the reasonableness of staffing levels planned for the removal of nuclear fuel from the Shippingport Atomic Power Station; and (3) an evaluation of the extent of industry interest in the fuel evaluation results.
In a prior report, GAO recommended that the Department of Energy (DOE) discontinue operating the water-cooled breeder and begin the end-of-life effort. GAO felt that DOE and the nuclear industry could use the information gathered on water-cooled breeder attributes to compare the concept with other advanced nuclear technologies. This comparison would permit more judicious funding decisions, given the limited availability of both Federal and private funds for energy projects. On October 1, 1982, Shippingport Station discontinued power production and began the end-of-life effort. GAO found that the DOE planned end-of-life effort is a cost-effective way of completing the the water-cooled breeder program when compared with other alternatives which would either increase the cost of completing the program or not provide all of the necessary information to prove that breeding actually occurred. In addition, GAO found that personnel levels for defueling the Shippingport Atomic Power Station did not appear out of line when compared with the staff levels for similar activities at commercial nuclear powerplants. Finally, representatives from 13 of the 14 nuclear industry groups and utilities contacted by GAO showed an interest in the results of the core evaluation and believed that the effort should continue.
Jun 28, 2018
U.S. Postal Service:
Projected Capital Spending and Processes for Addressing Uncertainties and RisksGAO-18-515: Published: Jun 28, 2018. Publicly Released: Jun 28, 2018.
Jun 21, 2018
-
The Nation's Fiscal Health:
Action Is Needed to Address the Federal Government's Fiscal FutureGAO-18-299SP: Published: Jun 21, 2018. Publicly Released: Jun 21, 2018.
Apr 3, 2018
-
Defense Budget:
Actions Needed to Improve the Management of Foreign Currency FundsGAO-18-221: Published: Apr 3, 2018. Publicly Released: Apr 3, 2018.
Feb 6, 2018
-
Budget Issues:
Continuing Resolutions and Other Budget Uncertainties Present Management ChallengesGAO-18-368T: Published: Feb 6, 2018. Publicly Released: Feb 6, 2018.
Oct 12, 2017
-
Public Relations Spending:
Selected Agencies' Activities Supported by Contracts and Public Affairs StaffGAO-17-711: Published: Sep 12, 2017. Publicly Released: Oct 12, 2017.
Oct 2, 2017
-
U.S. Territories:
Public Debt OutlookGAO-18-160: Published: Oct 2, 2017. Publicly Released: Oct 2, 2017.
Sep 20, 2017
-
Budget Issues:
Budget Uncertainty and Disruptions Affect Timing of Agency SpendingGAO-17-807T: Published: Sep 20, 2017. Publicly Released: Sep 20, 2017.
May 3, 2017
-
The Nation's Fiscal Health:
Action is Needed to Address the Federal Government's Fiscal FutureGAO-17-579T: Published: May 3, 2017. Publicly Released: May 3, 2017.
Jan 18, 2017
-
Overseas Contingency Operations:
OMB and DOD Should Revise the Criteria for Determining Eligible Costs and Identify the Costs Likely to Endure Long TermGAO-17-68: Published: Jan 18, 2017. Publicly Released: Jan 18, 2017.
Jan 17, 2017
-
The Nation's Fiscal Health:
Action is Needed to Address the Federal Government's Fiscal FutureGAO-17-237SP: Published: Jan 17, 2017. Publicly Released: Jan 17, 2017.
Looking for more? Browse all our products here
Explore our Key Issues on Budget and Spending
Explore our other Key Issues here
