Superfund:
Cost Growth on Remedial Construction Activities
RCED-88-69: Published: Feb 24, 1988. Publicly Released: Mar 25, 1988.
Additional Materials:
- Full Report:
Contact:
In response to a congressional request, GAO: (1) reviewed the extent of cost growth for the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) cleanup activities at Superfund sites with the highest expenditures; and (2) compared the growth with that experienced in the construction industry.
GAO found that: (1) construction expenditures for 30 long-term cleanup activities exceeding $1 million represented $94 million, or 87 percent, of $108 million in total Superfund long-term cleanup construction costs; (2) construction costs for 9 routine activities increased an average of 5 percent over the original contracts, while the 17 nonroutine activities increased an average of 19 percent; (3) the four activities that did not fit within the routine or nonroutine categories had an average growth of 8 percent; (4) although new Superfund legislation emphasizes cleanup activities that should permanently or significantly reduce contamination, these cleanups often cost more because of the use of new technologies; and (5) as overall Superfund cost growth rises, EPA may need to analyze the causes for growth and determine whether to take actions to control it.
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.
Dec 7, 2020
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Air Pollution:
Opportunities to Better Sustain and Modernize the National Air Quality Monitoring SystemGAO-21-38: Published: Nov 12, 2020. Publicly Released: Dec 7, 2020.
Nov 20, 2020
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Crude Oil Markets:
Effects of the Repeal of the Crude Oil Export BanGAO-21-118: Published: Oct 21, 2020. Publicly Released: Nov 20, 2020.
Nov 19, 2020
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EPA Grants to Tribes:
Additional Actions Needed to Effectively Address Tribal Environmental ConcernsGAO-21-150: Published: Oct 20, 2020. Publicly Released: Nov 19, 2020.
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