Audit Report: IG-0550

During the course of nuclear weapons production, the Department of Energy (Department) and its
predecessor agencies constructed over 20,000 facilities, ranging from temporary trailer-type
buildings and office space to state-of-the-art nuclear reactors and laboratories. As the
Department's mission has evolved, many of these structures are no longer needed and, as such,
have been identified as excess facilities. Currently, the Department has nearly 1,200 excess
facilities totaling almost 16 million square feet. Costs associated with these facilities, primarily
for surveillance and maintenance, exceed about $70 million annually. Over time, these costs are
expected to increase, as will the health and safety risks that these buildings pose to workers and
the environment.
This audit was conducted to determine whether the Department prioritized facility disposition
consistent with its mission needs and to minimize overall costs and risks.