Energy Management:
Extent of Crude Oil Contamination Is Uncertain
RCED-90-114BR: Published: Mar 8, 1990. Publicly Released: Apr 13, 1990.
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Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed allegations of crude oil contamination, focusing on: (1) the extent and types of contamination; (2) how environmental legislation has affected the contamination issue; and (3) corrective actions that the government and the oil industry have taken concerning crude oil contamination.
GAO found that: (1) oil industry officials identified 40 cases of crude oil contamination occurring from 1982 to 1989, and 3 of those cases resulted in damaged refinery equipment or refinery fires; (2) all 40 cases involved chloride, iodine, alcohol, bromine, nitrogen, or iron contamination; (3) government and industry officials could not agree on the extent of crude oil contamination, but the Environmental Protection Agency and other government agencies generally believed that refining the contaminated oil would not cause unusual risks to health and the environment; (4) although environmental legislation generally prohibited disposal of hazardous wastes in crude oil, it exempted certain hazardous waste generated from oil exploration and production, and toxic substances found in used oil; (5) eight of nine oil refineries conducted routine testing of crude oil for basic properties, but limited the frequency and accuracy of testing for toxic materials; (6) three oil companies had taken legal or other actions against suppliers suspected of providing contaminated crude oil; and (7) state and federal regulatory agencies had taken only limited action to prevent crude oil contamination.
Dec 10, 2020
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Uranium Management:
Actions to Mitigate Risks to Domestic Supply Chain Could Be Better Planned and CoordinatedGAO-21-28: Published: Dec 10, 2020. Publicly Released: Dec 10, 2020.
Dec 8, 2020
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Offshore Wind Energy:
Planned Projects May Lead to Construction of New Vessels in the U.S., but Industry Has Made Few Decisions amid UncertaintiesGAO-21-153: Published: Dec 8, 2020. Publicly Released: Dec 8, 2020.
Nov 19, 2020
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Nuclear Waste Disposal:
Better Planning Needed to Avoid Potential Disruptions at Waste Isolation Pilot PlantGAO-21-48: Published: Nov 19, 2020. Publicly Released: Nov 19, 2020.
Oct 29, 2020
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Nuclear Safety:
DOE and the Safety Board Should Collaborate to Develop a Written Agreement to Enhance OversightGAO-21-141: Published: Oct 29, 2020. Publicly Released: Oct 29, 2020.
Oct 15, 2020
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Nuclear Weapons:
NNSA Plans to Modernize Critical Depleted Uranium Capabilities and Improve Program ManagementGAO-21-16: Published: Oct 15, 2020. Publicly Released: Oct 15, 2020.
Jul 24, 2020
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Nuclear Weapons:
Action Needed to Address the W80-4 Warhead Program's Schedule ConstraintsGAO-20-409: Published: Jul 24, 2020. Publicly Released: Jul 24, 2020.
Jun 24, 2020
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National Nuclear Security Administration:
Analyzing Cost Savings Program Could Result in Wider Use and Additional Contractor EfficienciesGAO-20-451: Published: Jun 24, 2020. Publicly Released: Jun 24, 2020.
Jun 9, 2020
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Nuclear Weapons:
NNSA Needs to Incorporate Additional Management Controls Over Its Microelectronics ActivitiesGAO-20-357: Published: Jun 9, 2020. Publicly Released: Jun 9, 2020.
May 13, 2020
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Environmental Liabilities:
DOE Needs to Better Plan for Post-Cleanup Challenges Facing SitesGAO-20-373: Published: May 13, 2020. Publicly Released: May 13, 2020.
May 12, 2020
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Hanford Waste Treatment Plant:
DOE Is Pursuing Pretreatment Alternatives, but Its Strategy Is Unclear While Costs Continue to RiseGAO-20-363: Published: May 12, 2020. Publicly Released: May 12, 2020.
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