Superfund:
More Emphasis Needed on Risk Reduction
T-RCED-96-168: Published: May 8, 1996. Publicly Released: May 8, 1996.
Additional Materials:
- Full Report:
Contact:
GAO discussed the Superfund Program's effectiveness. GAO noted that: (1) the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has not adequately emphasized risk reduction in site selection or cleanup schedules; (2) EPA regional offices have used other factors besides risk reduction to select sites or prioritize cleanups; (3) EPA has too often inappropriately assumed that contaminated sites' future uses will include residential purposes, which substantially increases cleanup costs; (4) Superfund costs could be reduced by as much as $1.7 billion over the program's life if EPA used its less costly accelerated cleanup procedures; (5) health hazards would also be reduced with accelerated procedures; (6) statutory cost and time limitations on removal actions and an inflexible funding arrangement limit EPA use of non-time-critical removals; and (7) in 1995, EPA initiated procedural and organizational changes to include better risk and land-use assessments and community involvement in the program, but it is too soon to tell if the changes will result in permanent program improvements.
Jan 15, 2021
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Environmental Liabilities:
NASA's Reported Financial Liabilities Have Grown, and Several Factors Contribute to Future UncertaintiesGAO-21-205: Published: Jan 15, 2021. Publicly Released: Jan 15, 2021.
Jan 13, 2021
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Nuclear Waste:
Congressional Action Needed to Clarify a Disposal Option at West Valley Site in New YorkGAO-21-115: Published: Jan 13, 2021. Publicly Released: Jan 13, 2021.
Jan 7, 2021
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Hanford Cleanup:
DOE's Efforts to Close Tank Farms Would Benefit from Clearer Legal Authorities and CommunicationGAO-21-73: Published: Jan 7, 2021. Publicly Released: Jan 7, 2021.
Dec 18, 2020
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Drinking Water:
EPA Could Use Available Data to Better Identify Neighborhoods at Risk of Lead ExposureGAO-21-78: Published: Dec 18, 2020. Publicly Released: Dec 18, 2020. -
Recycling:
Building on Existing Federal Efforts Could Help Address Cross-Cutting ChallengesGAO-21-87: Published: Dec 18, 2020. Publicly Released: Dec 18, 2020.
Dec 9, 2020
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Environmental Protection:
Action Needed to Ensure EPA's Enforcement and Compliance Activities Support Its Strategic GoalsGAO-21-82: Published: Dec 9, 2020. Publicly Released: Dec 9, 2020. -
Oil and Gas:
Onshore Competitive and Noncompetitive Lease RevenuesGAO-21-138: Published: Nov 19, 2020. Publicly Released: Dec 9, 2020.
Dec 7, 2020
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Air Pollution:
Opportunities to Better Sustain and Modernize the National Air Quality Monitoring SystemGAO-21-38: Published: Nov 12, 2020. Publicly Released: Dec 7, 2020.
Nov 20, 2020
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Crude Oil Markets:
Effects of the Repeal of the Crude Oil Export BanGAO-21-118: Published: Oct 21, 2020. Publicly Released: Nov 20, 2020.
Nov 19, 2020
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EPA Grants to Tribes:
Additional Actions Needed to Effectively Address Tribal Environmental ConcernsGAO-21-150: Published: Oct 20, 2020. Publicly Released: Nov 19, 2020.
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