Fossil Fuels:
The Department of Energy's Magnetohydrodynamics Development Program
RCED-93-174: Published: Jul 29, 1993. Publicly Released: Aug 5, 1993.
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Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed on the Department of Energy's (DOE) progress in completing its magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) proof-of-concept (POC) program, focusing on: (1) the program's financial history; (2) DOE progress in meeting the program schedule; (3) potential problem areas; (4) DOE program management; and (5) future program plans.
GAO found that: (1) by September 1993, the government will have spent $800 million for research and development of coal-fired MHD power generation technology and $223 million in appropriated funds for the POC program; (2) the POC program was designed so that private-sector investors could decide whether to pursue development of MHD technology at new or existing power generation plants; (3) the program might not be able to provide statistically reliable data because the program's testing period has been shortened by more than 1,000 hours; (4) DOE believes that POC program tests have demonstrated the feasibility of its major subsystems, but questions remain concerning its high cost, unresolved problems, uncertainties in system integration, and the type of additional new technology that will be needed to reach the high-efficiency potential expected; (5) DOE has worked closely with the scientific community to disseminate POC program information; (6) DOE is considering a number of private-sector offers for the development of an MHD demonstration project; and (7) the total POC program shutdown costs could vary between $8 million to $16 million depending on the extent of site and environmental restoration costs and related contingencies at DOE testing facilities.
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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