Audit of Mixed Low-Level Waste Disposal within the Department of Energy
Environmental cleanup of contaminated nuclear weapons manufacturing and test sites within the Department of Energy complex is estimated to generate approximately 419,000 cubic meters of mixed low-level waste.
This report presents the goals, objectives, and strategies for measuring the OIG’s FY 2009 actual performance and FY 2010 planned activities.
The Management of the National Nuclear Security Administration's Classified Enterprise Secure Network Project
In June 2000, recently enacted legislation directed the National Nuclear Security
Administration (NNSA) to "perform planning, analysis, testing and evaluation necessary
to develop the highest value alternatives for improving cyber security throughout the
Nuclear Weapons Complex." In response, NNSA began the Integrated Cyber Security
Initiative. Through the initiative, NNSA's Enterprise Secure Network (ESN) was
developed. ESN was intended to be the primary network for sharing classified
information within NNSA by: ensuring the protection of nuclear weapon and other
national security information; supporting the NNSA mission; and, replacing NNSA's
existing classified network, SecureNet.
Administration (NNSA) to "perform planning, analysis, testing and evaluation necessary
to develop the highest value alternatives for improving cyber security throughout the
Nuclear Weapons Complex." In response, NNSA began the Integrated Cyber Security
Initiative. Through the initiative, NNSA's Enterprise Secure Network (ESN) was
developed. ESN was intended to be the primary network for sharing classified
information within NNSA by: ensuring the protection of nuclear weapon and other
national security information; supporting the NNSA mission; and, replacing NNSA's
existing classified network, SecureNet.
The Department of Energy and its Federal and contractor staff are responsible for some
of the Nation's most sensitive national security assets and programs. The Department
implemented the Human Reliability Program (Reliability Program) to ensure that
individuals who occupy positions affording access to certain nuclear materials, facilities,
and programs meet the highest standards of reliability and physical and mental suitability.
One aspect of the Reliability Program requires that employees who are part of the
program and who consume perception or behavior altering substances be restricted or
removed from performing sensitive duties until the effects of those substances have
abated.
of the Nation's most sensitive national security assets and programs. The Department
implemented the Human Reliability Program (Reliability Program) to ensure that
individuals who occupy positions affording access to certain nuclear materials, facilities,
and programs meet the highest standards of reliability and physical and mental suitability.
One aspect of the Reliability Program requires that employees who are part of the
program and who consume perception or behavior altering substances be restricted or
removed from performing sensitive duties until the effects of those substances have
abated.
Fire Suppression and Related Services at Los Alamos National Laboratory
The Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a
multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national
security. LANL operates in “unique” hazard environments, to include special nuclear
materials, explosives, and hazardous chemicals, that create special fire suppression and
emergency management challenges. To address these challenges, LANL must have a
comprehensive approach to the protection of personnel, facilities, physical assets, and
programmatic activities from fire and related dangers. LANL is managed for DOE’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) by Los Alamos National Security,
LLC, which assumed responsibility for the management and operation of LANL on
June 1, 2006.
In December 1992, DOE directly acquired fire suppression and related services under a
5-year contract with the Incorporated County of Los Alamos (County). The Los Alamos
County Fire Department (LAFD) provided fire suppression and related services to LANL
and to the County. The contract expired in December 1997, but the Terms and
Conditions and the Statement of Work of this contract were continued through a series of
Pre-Contract Cost Agreements (PCCAs) between LANL and the County over
approximately the next 11 years. During this period, DOE paid 100 percent of the cost of
LAFD operations, totaling approximately $135 million.
multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national
security. LANL operates in “unique” hazard environments, to include special nuclear
materials, explosives, and hazardous chemicals, that create special fire suppression and
emergency management challenges. To address these challenges, LANL must have a
comprehensive approach to the protection of personnel, facilities, physical assets, and
programmatic activities from fire and related dangers. LANL is managed for DOE’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) by Los Alamos National Security,
LLC, which assumed responsibility for the management and operation of LANL on
June 1, 2006.
In December 1992, DOE directly acquired fire suppression and related services under a
5-year contract with the Incorporated County of Los Alamos (County). The Los Alamos
County Fire Department (LAFD) provided fire suppression and related services to LANL
and to the County. The contract expired in December 1997, but the Terms and
Conditions and the Statement of Work of this contract were continued through a series of
Pre-Contract Cost Agreements (PCCAs) between LANL and the County over
approximately the next 11 years. During this period, DOE paid 100 percent of the cost of
LAFD operations, totaling approximately $135 million.
Management of Energy Savings Performance Contract Delivery Orders at the Department of Energy
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act established a series of energy-related
goals, one of which was to make Federal facilities more energy efficient. The use of the
Energy Savings Performance Contract (ESPC) concept, a mechanism for financing large
scale energy improvements in Federal facilities, is likely to be an integral part of this
effort. Under this arrangement, a private-sector energy services company (ESCO)
develops and installs energy improvements in exchange for a share of future savings.
Typical improvements include: energy efficient lighting; building management control
systems; and, heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning system improvements. The
Federal agency repays the ESCO for its capital investment over a period of years from
the savings generated. Payments over the life of the ESPC, some extending for as long as
25 years, are based on projected energy use and estimated energy savings agreed to by
the Government.
goals, one of which was to make Federal facilities more energy efficient. The use of the
Energy Savings Performance Contract (ESPC) concept, a mechanism for financing large
scale energy improvements in Federal facilities, is likely to be an integral part of this
effort. Under this arrangement, a private-sector energy services company (ESCO)
develops and installs energy improvements in exchange for a share of future savings.
Typical improvements include: energy efficient lighting; building management control
systems; and, heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning system improvements. The
Federal agency repays the ESCO for its capital investment over a period of years from
the savings generated. Payments over the life of the ESPC, some extending for as long as
25 years, are based on projected energy use and estimated energy savings agreed to by
the Government.