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.
Dec 10, 2020
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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