Nuclear Safety:
International Assistance Efforts to Make Soviet-Designed Reactors Safer
RCED-94-234: Published: Sep 29, 1994. Publicly Released: Oct 28, 1994.
Additional Materials:
- Full Report:
Contact:
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO provided information on U.S. and international efforts to improve the safety of Soviet-designed reactors, focusing on the: (1) goals and scope of international assistance; (2) current and future U.S. assistance efforts; (3) impact of international assistance; and (4) potential for closing the highest-risk reactors.
GAO found that: (1) as of 1994, international donors have pledged about $785 million to improve the safety of civil nuclear power reactors in the former Soviet Union and central and eastern Europe; (2) the long term goal of international assistance is to shut down the most dangerous nuclear power reactors, replace these reactors with alternative energy sources, and improve host countries' nuclear regulatory agencies; (3) only about 7 percent of the proposed projects have been completed; (4) the United States has spent $18 million for nuclear safety improvements in Russia, Ukraine, and eastern Europe; (5) much of U.S. assistance is designed to provide training for reactor operators and nuclear regulators and fire safety and computer equipment; (6) the effectiveness of international assistance is difficult to quantify because there is a lack of reliable data on Soviet equipment; (7) some nuclear safety projects have been delayed due to contractor disputes over liability protection; (8) international assistance efforts may not result in safer reactors or the closure of the riskiest reactors and may actually encourage the continued operation of these reactors; and (9) although international agencies may encounter difficulties in promoting the closure of Soviet-designed reactors because host countries depend on nuclear power to meet their energy and export needs, the United States has agreed with Russia and Ukraine to study alternative energy options and phase out the riskiest reactors.
Mar 1, 2021
-
Forced Labor:
CBP Should Improve Communication to Strengthen Trade EnforcementGAO-21-259: Published: Mar 1, 2021. Publicly Released: Mar 1, 2021.
Feb 8, 2021
-
Venezuela:
Additional Tracking Could Aid Treasury's Efforts to Mitigate Any Adverse Impacts U.S. Sanctions Might Have on Humanitarian AssistanceGAO-21-239: Published: Feb 4, 2021. Publicly Released: Feb 8, 2021.
Jan 28, 2021
-
Cyber Diplomacy:
State Should Use Data and Evidence to Justify Its Proposal for a New Bureau of Cyberspace Security and Emerging TechnologiesGAO-21-266R: Published: Jan 28, 2021. Publicly Released: Jan 28, 2021.
Jan 27, 2021
-
Afghanistan Reconstruction:
GAO Work since 2002 Shows Systemic Internal Control Weaknesses that Increased the Risk of Waste, Fraud, and AbuseGAO-21-32R: Published: Jan 27, 2021. Publicly Released: Jan 27, 2021.
Dec 9, 2020
-
International Trade:
Observations On Whether Women's Rights and Economic Interests Are Protected or Promoted by U.S. Trade Preference ProgramsGAO-21-190: Published: Dec 9, 2020. Publicly Released: Dec 9, 2020.
Dec 2, 2020
-
Foreign Assistance:
USAID Should Analyze Data on the Timeliness of ExpendituresGAO-21-51: Published: Dec 2, 2020. Publicly Released: Dec 2, 2020.
Nov 19, 2020
-
Global Food Security:
Information on Spending and Types of Assistance Provided by the United States and Other DonorsGAO-21-47R: Published: Nov 19, 2020. Publicly Released: Nov 19, 2020.
Nov 9, 2020
-
Human Trafficking:
Agencies Have Taken Steps to Strengthen International Anti-trafficking ProjectsGAO-21-53: Published: Nov 9, 2020. Publicly Released: Nov 9, 2020. -
Rule of Law Assistance:
State and USAID Could Improve Monitoring EffortsGAO-21-14: Published: Nov 9, 2020. Publicly Released: Nov 9, 2020.
Oct 27, 2020
-
Forced Labor Imports:
DHS Increased Resources and Enforcement Efforts, but Needs to Improve Workforce Planning and MonitoringGAO-21-106: Published: Oct 27, 2020. Publicly Released: Oct 27, 2020.
Looking for more? Browse all our products here