Fossil Fuels:
Lessons Learned in DOE's Clean Coal Technology Program
RCED-94-174: Published: May 26, 1994. Publicly Released: Jun 2, 1994.
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Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the Department of Energy's (DOE) Clean Coal Technology Program, focusing on the: (1) lessons DOE has learned in implementing the program; and (2) future direction of the clean coal program.
GAO found that: (1) the program's success will ultimately be measured by the extent to which the technologies developed under the program are commercialized in the energy marketplace; (2) the program has demonstrated that the government and private sector can work cooperatively in developing new technologies; (3) DOE experience with the clean coal program can be useful to other similar federal cost-sharing programs; (4) obtaining advanced funding increased the participants' confidence and long-term planning, using cooperative agreements increased participants' management flexibility and reduced federal oversight requirements, establishing federal cost-sharing limits helped ensure the industry's commitment to projects, and establishing a comprehensive evaluation and selection process helped ensure program integrity; (5) DOE has been able to modify the program's objectives to meet changing national needs and make program improvements and adjustments on the basis of the lessons learned; (6) although many of the program's improvements and modifications have been successful in addressing private-sector financing, repayment, and evaluation problems, DOE continues to experience project delays and cost increases resulting from environmental review requirements; and (7) although DOE is considering making design improvements on existing projects, its plans for the future direction of the clean coal program are uncertain.
Nov 19, 2020
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.
Apr 29, 2020
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Priority Open Recommendations:
Department of EnergyGAO-20-285PR: Published: Apr 22, 2020. Publicly Released: Apr 29, 2020.
Apr 17, 2020
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Priority Open Recommendations:
Nuclear Regulatory CommissionGAO-20-286PR: Published: Apr 10, 2020. Publicly Released: Apr 17, 2020.
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