Analysis of Alternative Approaches to Completing the DOE Water-Cooled Breeder Program
RCED-83-87: Published: Mar 25, 1983. Publicly Released: Mar 25, 1983.
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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.
Dec 15, 2020
The Nation's Fiscal Health:
Information on the Spending and Revenue Implications of Potential Debt TargetsGAO-21-211: Published: Dec 15, 2020. Publicly Released: Dec 15, 2020.
Oct 7, 2020
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The Nation's Fiscal Health:
A Long-Term Plan Is Needed for Fiscal SustainabilityGAO-21-161T: Published: Oct 7, 2020. Publicly Released: Oct 7, 2020.
Sep 23, 2020
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The Nation's Fiscal Health:
Effective Use of Fiscal Rules and TargetsGAO-20-561: Published: Sep 23, 2020. Publicly Released: Sep 23, 2020.
Jan 23, 2020
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Federal Trust Funds and Other Dedicated Funds:
Fiscal Sustainability Is a Growing Concern for Some Key FundsGAO-20-156: Published: Jan 16, 2020. Publicly Released: Jan 23, 2020.
Dec 19, 2019
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State and Local Governments' Fiscal Outlook:
2019 UpdateGAO-20-269SP: Published: Dec 19, 2019. Publicly Released: Dec 19, 2019.
Nov 14, 2019
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Certificated Expenditures:
Executive Office of the President FY 2018 Certificated Expenditures Were Spent for Authorized PurposesGAO-20-139R: Published: Nov 14, 2019. Publicly Released: Nov 14, 2019.
Oct 16, 2019
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Civilian Personnel:
Additional Guidance and Consistent Data Reporting Could Help Improve the Marine Corps' Budget ManagementGAO-20-148: Published: Oct 16, 2019. Publicly Released: Oct 16, 2019.
Jun 26, 2019
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The Nation's Fiscal Health:
Actions Needed to Achieve Long-Term Fiscal SustainabilityGAO-19-611T: Published: Jun 26, 2019. Publicly Released: Jun 26, 2019.
Apr 10, 2019
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The Nation's Fiscal Health:
Action Is Needed to Address the Federal Government's Fiscal FutureGAO-19-314SP: Published: Apr 10, 2019. Publicly Released: Apr 10, 2019.
Mar 27, 2019
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Fiscal Exposures:
Federal Insurance and Other Activities That Transfer Risk or Losses to the GovernmentGAO-19-353: Published: Mar 27, 2019. Publicly Released: Mar 27, 2019.
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