Priority Open Recommendations: Department of Energy

What GAO Found

In April 2025, GAO identified 30 priority recommendations for the Department of Energy (DOE). Since then, DOE has implemented 5 of those recommendations by, among other things, directing NNSA Production Modernization programs to follow best practices for schedule development.

In July 2026, GAO identified an additional priority recommendation, and removed the priority status from two recommendations, bringing the total number to 24. GAO is highlighting the following three areas that warrant timely and focused attention:

• Addressing nuclear modernization challenges,
• Addressing DOE environmental liabilities, and
• Managing energy security and programs.

Addressing GAO's recommendations in these areas would enhance the DOE's efforts to modernize the nation's nuclear security enterprise and weapons in the U.S. stockpile, save billions of taxpayer dollars on the cleanup of sites contaminated with nuclear waste, and ensure the adequacy of the nation's Strategic Petroleum Reserve to help meet national energy security demands.

Taking action to implement all of GAO's open priority recommendations would help enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of operations across DOE.

Why GAO Did This Study

Priority open recommendations are the GAO recommendations that warrant priority attention from heads of key departments or agencies because their implementation could save large amounts of money; improve congressional and/or executive branch decision-making on major issues; eliminate mismanagement, fraud, and abuse; or make progress toward addressing a high risk or duplication issue, among other benefits. Since 2015, GAO has sent letters to selected agencies to highlight the importance of implementing such recommendations.

For more information, contact Allison Bawden at BawdenA@gao.gov.