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Welcome to the 25th quarterly report on lessons learned in the NEPA process.

Proposed Energy Conservation Standards for Residential Central Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps

Proposed Energy Conservation Standards for Residential Clothes Washers

On October 12, 2000, the Chairmen of several committees of the U.S. Congress requested an assessment by the Office of Inspector General of the most significant management challenges facing the Department of Energy. We have received similar requests annually since 1997. As in the past, our response to this year's inquiry parallels the Department's reporting under the Federal Managers' Financial Integrity Act. The Office of Inspector General has a significant role in the Integrity Act process, which has traditionally resulted in an effective depiction of long-standing, institution-wide problems facing the Department of Energy. This special report constitutes our response to the congressional inquiry. The analysis is focused on those Department challenges that, in our view, warrant increased emphasis or appear to have reached a heightened level of urgency. Throughout our discussion, we have highlighted issues of concern relative to the newly formed National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). The Office of Inspector General is devoting considerable time and resources to evaluating various aspects of the NNSA's complex mission and operations.

Management Challenges at the Department of Energy

In 1994, the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board (DNFSB) recommended that the Department of Energy (Department) take action to stabilize the highly radioactive Americium/Curium solution (Am/Cm) stored at the Savannah River Site's F-Canyon Facility. The purpose of this recommendation was to reduce safety and health risks to Department employees and the public. In 1995, the Department made a commitment to the DNFSB to stabilize approximately 14,440 liters of Am/Cm in inventory at the Savannah River Site by September 1998. The objective of this audit was to determine whether the Department will meet its commitment to stabilize the Am/Cm by September 2002.

Americium/Curium Vitrification Project At The Savannah River Site

As a result of its weapons program activities, the Department of Energy (Department) has a significant inventory of surplus fissile materials. Within the Department, the National Nuclear Security Administration and the Office of Environmental Management are responsible for managing this inventory, including its protection and disposal. To accomplish these objectives, the Department has established a program to ship the fissile materials, including surplus pits and plutonium metals, oxides, fluorides, and residues, from several Department facilities to a final designated disposition location. The various fissile materials are to be shipped in Type B containers certified by the Department or the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, or under an exemption as duly granted by the appropriate Federal agency. The objective of this audit was to determine whether the Department has containers suitable for shipping its surplus fissile material.

Containers Suitable for Shipping Fissile Material