Nuclear Security:
Security Issues At DOE and Its Newly Created National Nuclear Security Administration
T-RCED-00-123: Published: Mar 14, 2000. Publicly Released: Mar 14, 2000.
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Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO discussed its recent reports concerning the Department of Energy's (DOE) and the National Nuclear Security Administration's (NNSA) security programs to protect against theft, sabotage, espionage, terrorism, and other risks to national security at its facilities, focusing on: (1) oversight of safeguards and security programs at DOE; and (2) security issues with NNSA.
GAO noted that: (1) sound management and independent oversight of security at DOE's nuclear facilities is critical to ensure that security problems are identified, raised to the attention of the highest levels in DOE, and corrected; (2) DOE has recently made a number of improvements to its security oversight; (3) however, GAO's February report to Congress discussed several areas where security oversight could be further strengthened; (4) in particular: (a) DOE needs a comprehensive tracking system for safeguards and security findings at its nuclear facilities; (b) all security findings or problems identified need to be fully analyzed and appropriately closed; and (c) safeguards and security ratings should be consistent among the various security organizations within DOE; (5) in addition, as security responsibilities shift, it is not clear how DOE's oversight at nuclear facilities will relate to the newly created NNSA; (6) specifically: (a) while NNSA was to be distinct from DOE, the security office within NNSA may have duplicative and overlapping functions with DOE's security office; and (b) significant questions remain about how the DOE security oversight organization will oversee NNSA operations; (7) GAO recognizes that NNSA's creation, as outlined by DOE's Implementation Plan for NNSA, is an evolving process; (8) however, GAO believes the best time to address past problems is when the organization and systems are being laid out for the first time, before commitment to old ways harden; (9) timely implementation of GAO's prior recommendations for improving security at DOE and clarifying the role of DOE security organizations, such as NNSA, will be important; (10) changing the culture may be more difficult; (11) for newly created NNSA to be effective, it must break out of the culture and mindset that permeates DOE; and (12) otherwise, security problems inherent in DOE may continue in NNSA.
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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