The NuMI Off-Axis electron neutrino (ve) Appearance (NOvA) experiment is a neutrino physics research project conducted by the Office of Science's Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (Fermilab). The goal of the NOvA experiment is to advance the understanding of neutrino particles.
Fermilab, in coordination with the University of Minnesota (University), must complete an accelerator and detector system needed for the experiment. Fermilab is upgrading its accelerator complex to increase beam power and constructing a 220 ton "Near Detector" that will monitor the neutrino beam as it leaves Fermilab. The University is responsible for constructing a detector hall and fabricating components for the 14,000 ton "Far Detector," near Ash River, Minnesota, 503 miles away.
Fermilab, in coordination with the University of Minnesota (University), must complete an accelerator and detector system needed for the experiment. Fermilab is upgrading its accelerator complex to increase beam power and constructing a 220 ton "Near Detector" that will monitor the neutrino beam as it leaves Fermilab. The University is responsible for constructing a detector hall and fabricating components for the 14,000 ton "Far Detector," near Ash River, Minnesota, 503 miles away.
Management Alert on Environmental Management's Select Strategy for Disposition of Savannah River Site Depleted Uranium Oxides
The Administration and the Congress, through policy statements and passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act), have signaled that they hope that proactive actions by agency Inspectors General will help ensure that Federal Recovery Act activities are transparent, effective and efficient. In that context, the purpose of this management alert is to share with you concerns that have been raised to the Office of Inspector General
regarding the planned disposition of the Savannah River Site's (SRS) inventory of Depleted Uranium (DU) oxides. This inventory, generated as a by-product of the nuclear weapons production process and amounting to approximately 15,600 drums of DU oxides, has been stored at SRS for decades. A Department source we deem reliable and credible recently came to the Office of Inspector General expressing concern that imminent actions are planned that may not provide for the most cost effective disposition of these materials. During April 2009, the Department chose to use funds provided under the Recovery Act to
accelerate final disposition of the SRS inventory of DU oxides. After coordination with State of Utah regulators, elected officials and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the Department initiated a campaign to ship the material to a facility operated by Energy Solutions in Clive, Utah.
Although one shipment of a portion of the material has already been sent to the Energy Solutions facility, the majority of the product remains at SRS. As had been planned, both for the shipment already made and those planned in the near term, the Energy Solutions facility was to have been the final disposal location for the material.
regarding the planned disposition of the Savannah River Site's (SRS) inventory of Depleted Uranium (DU) oxides. This inventory, generated as a by-product of the nuclear weapons production process and amounting to approximately 15,600 drums of DU oxides, has been stored at SRS for decades. A Department source we deem reliable and credible recently came to the Office of Inspector General expressing concern that imminent actions are planned that may not provide for the most cost effective disposition of these materials. During April 2009, the Department chose to use funds provided under the Recovery Act to
accelerate final disposition of the SRS inventory of DU oxides. After coordination with State of Utah regulators, elected officials and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the Department initiated a campaign to ship the material to a facility operated by Energy Solutions in Clive, Utah.
Although one shipment of a portion of the material has already been sent to the Energy Solutions facility, the majority of the product remains at SRS. As had been planned, both for the shipment already made and those planned in the near term, the Energy Solutions facility was to have been the final disposal location for the material.
The Department of Energy's Management of the NSLS-II Project
The Department of Energy's (Department) Office of Science is currently constructing the National Synchrotron Light Source II (NSLS-II) at Brookhaven National Laboratory (Brookhaven) in Upton, New York. The NSLS-II is designed to replace the existing National Synchrotron Light Source (NSLS), which began operations in 1982. Approximately 2,100 researchers utilize the NSLS each year for research in such areas as biology and medicine, chemistry and environmental sciences, physics, and materials science. Construction of the NSLS-II began in Fiscal Year (FY) 2009 and the facility is scheduled to begin operations in FY 2015.
Accounting and Reporting for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act by the Department of Energy's Funding Recipients
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act) was established to
jumpstart the U.S. economy, create or save millions of jobs, and invest in the Nation's energy
future. The Department of Energy received approximately $37 billion through the Recovery Act
to support a variety of science, energy and environmental initiatives. The Office of Management
and Budget (OMB) issued guidance for carrying out stimulus-related activities which requires,
among other things, that recipients ensure funds provided by the Recovery Act are clearly
distinguishable from non-Recovery Act funds in all reporting systems and that recipients' actions
are transparent to the public. To meet these requirements, the Department's recipients (prime
contractors, grantees and other financial assistance awardees) must clearly and accurately track
and report on 18 separate data elements. In addition, the Department was to develop and
implement a process to ensure that recipient information reported to the public was free from
material omissions and significant reporting errors.
jumpstart the U.S. economy, create or save millions of jobs, and invest in the Nation's energy
future. The Department of Energy received approximately $37 billion through the Recovery Act
to support a variety of science, energy and environmental initiatives. The Office of Management
and Budget (OMB) issued guidance for carrying out stimulus-related activities which requires,
among other things, that recipients ensure funds provided by the Recovery Act are clearly
distinguishable from non-Recovery Act funds in all reporting systems and that recipients' actions
are transparent to the public. To meet these requirements, the Department's recipients (prime
contractors, grantees and other financial assistance awardees) must clearly and accurately track
and report on 18 separate data elements. In addition, the Department was to develop and
implement a process to ensure that recipient information reported to the public was free from
material omissions and significant reporting errors.
Semiannual Report to Congress, October 1, 2009 - March 31, 2010, DOE/IG-0058
The Department of Energy’s Office of Inspector General is pleased to submit its Semiannual Report to Congress for the period ending March 31, 2010. This report highlights key accomplishments of the Office, particularly pertaining to our efforts to work with agency management to ensure the economy, efficiency, and effectiveness of Department of Energy (Department) operations.
Management Controls over the Department's WinSAGA System for Energy Grants Management Under the Recovery Act