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Department of Energy: Management Changes Needed to Expand Use of Innovative Cleanup Technologies

RCED-94-205 Published: Aug 10, 1994. Publicly Released: Aug 10, 1994.
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Highlights

GAO reviewed the internal and external barriers that inhibit the use of new and innovative technologies in environmental cleanup.

Recommendations

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Department of Energy To ensure that decisionmakers are aware of, and fully evaluate innovative technologies to the maximum extent possible, the Secretary of Energy should direct the Assistant Secretary for Environmental Management to fully involve regulators and other stakeholders in the decision-making process at the local level for technology selection.
Closed – Implemented
DOE established site-specific advisory boards and has taken several steps to strengthen its ties to many stakeholder groups, such as the Environmental Management Advisory Board, the Western Governors' Association, and the State and Tribal Government Working Group. DOE has also formed the Interstate Technology and Regulatory Cooperation Working Group to coordinate data on technology solutions.
Department of Energy To ensure that decisionmakers are aware of, and fully evaluate innovative technologies to the maximum extent possible, the Secretary of Energy should direct the Assistant Secretary for Environmental Management to formally include Office of Technology Development staff early in the process of evaluating and selecting technologies to be used to clean up DOE sites, for example, during the feasibility study and discussions leading to the record of decision.
Closed – Implemented
To increase the use and acceptance of new technologies at the sites, DOE is including regulators and stakeholders as members of technology coordination groups being established at sites around the country. DOE has also implemented formal performance measurements as a way to motivate all involved to ensure consideration and selection of innovative technologies.

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Topics

Cost controlEnvironmental monitoringEnvironmental policiesEnvironmental researchInteragency relationsNuclear waste disposalNuclear waste managementPollution controlResearch and developmentTechnology transferEnvironmental cleanups