GAO's Views on DOE's Modernization Plan for the Weapons Complex
T-RCED-89-5: Published: Jan 25, 1989. Publicly Released: Jan 25, 1989.
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GAO discussed the Department of Energy's (DOE) recently issued plan to modernize its nuclear weapons production complex. GAO found that: (1) while DOE was identifying and characterizing the extent of the problems within its complex, several problems surfaced which forced it to shut down reactors at several plants and halted nuclear weapons material production; (2) DOE implemented a program to address the extent of environmental, health, and safety problems at its major weapons complex facilities; and (3) the inspectors that DOE assigned at its major facilities were instrumental in disclosing significant safety problems. GAO also found that: (1) while the modernization plan showed what facilities would need to meet production needs in 2010, it did not adequately address the cleanup of existing facilities or the decontamination of retired facilities; (2) the total cost estimates ranged from $100 billion to over $155 billion; (3) the true costs could differ greatly from the estimates due to the lack of specific cleanup procedures, facility construction cost overruns, and the cost of building new production reactors; (4) DOE may not have sufficient technical expertise to accomplish all of the required tasks; and (5) DOE did not have all the policies and standards in place to guide the modernization effort. GAO believes that DOE should periodically update the plan to keep Congress and the public informed on the overall direction, priorities, and progress of the modernization efforts.
Jun 28, 2018
U.S. Postal Service:
Projected Capital Spending and Processes for Addressing Uncertainties and RisksGAO-18-515: Published: Jun 28, 2018. Publicly Released: Jun 28, 2018.
Jun 21, 2018
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The Nation's Fiscal Health:
Action Is Needed to Address the Federal Government's Fiscal FutureGAO-18-299SP: Published: Jun 21, 2018. Publicly Released: Jun 21, 2018.
Apr 3, 2018
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Defense Budget:
Actions Needed to Improve the Management of Foreign Currency FundsGAO-18-221: Published: Apr 3, 2018. Publicly Released: Apr 3, 2018.
Feb 6, 2018
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Budget Issues:
Continuing Resolutions and Other Budget Uncertainties Present Management ChallengesGAO-18-368T: Published: Feb 6, 2018. Publicly Released: Feb 6, 2018.
Oct 12, 2017
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Public Relations Spending:
Selected Agencies' Activities Supported by Contracts and Public Affairs StaffGAO-17-711: Published: Sep 12, 2017. Publicly Released: Oct 12, 2017.
Oct 2, 2017
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U.S. Territories:
Public Debt OutlookGAO-18-160: Published: Oct 2, 2017. Publicly Released: Oct 2, 2017.
Sep 20, 2017
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Budget Issues:
Budget Uncertainty and Disruptions Affect Timing of Agency SpendingGAO-17-807T: Published: Sep 20, 2017. Publicly Released: Sep 20, 2017.
May 3, 2017
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The Nation's Fiscal Health:
Action is Needed to Address the Federal Government's Fiscal FutureGAO-17-579T: Published: May 3, 2017. Publicly Released: May 3, 2017.
Jan 18, 2017
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Overseas Contingency Operations:
OMB and DOD Should Revise the Criteria for Determining Eligible Costs and Identify the Costs Likely to Endure Long TermGAO-17-68: Published: Jan 18, 2017. Publicly Released: Jan 18, 2017.
Jan 17, 2017
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The Nation's Fiscal Health:
Action is Needed to Address the Federal Government's Fiscal FutureGAO-17-237SP: Published: Jan 17, 2017. Publicly Released: Jan 17, 2017.
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