Department of Energy's Initial Efforts To Implement the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982
RCED-85-27
Published: Jan 10, 1985. Publicly Released: Jan 10, 1985.
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Highlights
GAO reviewed the Department of Energy's (DOE) efforts to implement the Nuclear Waste Policy Act in the areas of: (1) identifying waste disposal sites; (2) financing the waste disposal program through user fees; and (3) establishing an organization to carry out the program.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
---|---|---|
Department of Energy | The Secretary of Energy, in exercising his discretionary authority as custodian of the Nuclear Waste Fund, should fully evaluate ways to more promptly collect fees from all generators and owners of highly radioactive materials in the United States. This evaluation should, at a minimum, consider the possible ways to more promptly collect fees discussed in this report. |
Closed – Implemented
Of five categories of waste owners or generators, DOE stated that, at this time, because it is not now feasible to make contract amendments, it will not evaluate ways to more promptly collect fees for commercial entities making ongoing and one-time payments into the Fund. In view of the fact that DOE has now established a charge for defense waste, the recommendation should be closed out.
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Department of Energy | The Secretary of Energy should decide what is an appropriate fee to charge the federal government and New York for the disposal of high-level wastes. |
Closed – Implemented
In August 1987, DOE announced a fee methodology for charging for the disposal of defense waste. DOE also stated that it will use a similar methodology to establish a fee for New York for the disposal of commercial high-level waste. As of October 1988, DOE still had not established this fee. In view of the elapsed time and small quantity of waste, the recommendation should not remain open.
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Topics
Energy lawEnvironmental policiesFeesFunds managementNuclear waste disposalNuclear waste managementProgram evaluationProgram managementNuclear wasteRadioactive wastes