Nuclear Waste:
Quarterly Report as of March 31, 1990
RCED-91-55: Published: Feb 15, 1991. Publicly Released: Feb 15, 1991.
Additional Materials:
- Full Report:
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Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO evaluated the Department of Energy's (DOE) implementation of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982, focusing on: (1) public comments regarding the Secretary of Energy's November 1989 report to Congress assessing the civilian nuclear waste program; (2) uncertainties regarding DOE criteria for identifying unsuitable site conditions at Yucca Mountain; and (3) how Nevada's refusal to allow DOE access to the Yucca Mountain site could affect its near-term site-investigation plans.
GAO found that: (1) public comments on the Secretary's report called for changes in the nuclear waste program, management restructuring, emphasis on scientific investigation of Yucca Mountain, and a proposal to develop a monitored retrieval storage (MRS) facility; (2) in general, respondents agreed with the DOE restructured program management plan, its efforts to implement a scientifically based investigation, and its revised schedule; (3) DOE received mixed comments on its plans to conduct surface tests of the mountain before constructing an exploratory shaft facility; (4) DOE received mixed views on its plan to separately develop an MRS facility from a repository, and some respondents were concerned that such an action could result in an MRS facility becoming a repository replacement; (5) DOE decided to use its own as well as the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's regulations for identifying unsuitable conditions; (6) DOE and Nevada were engaged in a legal battle over state environmental permits needed for site investigations, and DOE sought legislation enabling it to comply with permit requirements without Nevada's involvement; and (7) DOE believed that, if the site investigation was delayed, DOE may abandon surface-based testing, which could eliminate the possibility of identifying unsuitable site conditions before performing more costly underground work.
Jan 19, 2021
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Chemical Assessments:
Annual EPA Survey Inconsistent with Leading Practices in Program ManagementGAO-21-156: Published: Dec 18, 2020. Publicly Released: Jan 19, 2021.
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.
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