Completion of K Basins Milestones
The Department of Energy (Department) has been storing 2,100 metric tons of spent nuclear
fuel at the Hanford Site in southeastern Washington. The fuel, used in support of Hanford's
former mission, is currently stored in canisters that are kept in two enclosed water-filled pools
known as the K Basins. The K Basins represent a significant risk to the environment due to
their deteriorating condition. In fact, the K East Basin, which is near the Columbia River, has
leaked contaminated water into the underlying soil and groundwater.
Initiated in the early 1990s, the Department's Spent Nuclear Fuel Project is aimed at decreasing
human and environmental risks by removing the spent fuel from the present storage conditions
and placing it into safe, cost-effective interim dry storage until a national geologic repository is
available. The spent fuel project includes removing the fuel from the canisters and cleaning and
repackaging it into multi-canister overpacks. The overpacks are then transported to other
Hanford facilities to dry the fuel and for interim storage.strat
fuel at the Hanford Site in southeastern Washington. The fuel, used in support of Hanford's
former mission, is currently stored in canisters that are kept in two enclosed water-filled pools
known as the K Basins. The K Basins represent a significant risk to the environment due to
their deteriorating condition. In fact, the K East Basin, which is near the Columbia River, has
leaked contaminated water into the underlying soil and groundwater.
Initiated in the early 1990s, the Department's Spent Nuclear Fuel Project is aimed at decreasing
human and environmental risks by removing the spent fuel from the present storage conditions
and placing it into safe, cost-effective interim dry storage until a national geologic repository is
available. The spent fuel project includes removing the fuel from the canisters and cleaning and
repackaging it into multi-canister overpacks. The overpacks are then transported to other
Hanford facilities to dry the fuel and for interim storage.strat
Inspection of the Accountability and Control of Sealed Radioactive Sources at Selected Department of Energy Sites
Sealed radioactive sources consist of radioactive material either contained within a sealed
capsule, sealed between layers of non-radioactive material, or firmly fixed to a non-radioactive
surface. Statistics in the United States Radiation Accident Registry show that of the 246 major
radiation accidents in the United States between 1944 and 2000, 110 were caused by sealed
radioactive sources.
capsule, sealed between layers of non-radioactive material, or firmly fixed to a non-radioactive
surface. Statistics in the United States Radiation Accident Registry show that of the 246 major
radiation accidents in the United States between 1944 and 2000, 110 were caused by sealed
radioactive sources.
Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider Project
The Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC), located at Brookhaven National Laboratory, is the
world's newest and largest particle accelerator for nuclear physics research. RHIC was
constructed between 1991 and 1999 at a reported cost of $617 million and is designed to
enhance scientific exploration by advancing our understanding of the most basic constituents
that make up the matter in our universe. The accelerator features a pair of superconducting
magnetic rings, 2.4 miles in circumference, which circulate beams of heavy ions in opposite
directions at nearly the speed of light. Where the ions collide at crossing points around the
rings, sophisticated detectors are used to help scientists gain insights into the characteristics of
quarks and gluons, two fundamental building blocks of matter.
In August 1999, the Office of Science determined that the RHIC project was completed on
schedule and within budget, and designated the RHIC as an operating facility. RHIC achieved
its first beam collisions in June 2000 and, in July 2001, scientists began operating the facility
with beam collisions at full-energy levels. The RHIC is currently operating as a state-of-the-art
research facility and represents an accomplishment of which many individuals in the
Department and at Brookhaven are justifiably proud.
The objective of this audit was to determine whether the RHIC project met performance and
cost expectations when it was designated as an operating facility.0
world's newest and largest particle accelerator for nuclear physics research. RHIC was
constructed between 1991 and 1999 at a reported cost of $617 million and is designed to
enhance scientific exploration by advancing our understanding of the most basic constituents
that make up the matter in our universe. The accelerator features a pair of superconducting
magnetic rings, 2.4 miles in circumference, which circulate beams of heavy ions in opposite
directions at nearly the speed of light. Where the ions collide at crossing points around the
rings, sophisticated detectors are used to help scientists gain insights into the characteristics of
quarks and gluons, two fundamental building blocks of matter.
In August 1999, the Office of Science determined that the RHIC project was completed on
schedule and within budget, and designated the RHIC as an operating facility. RHIC achieved
its first beam collisions in June 2000 and, in July 2001, scientists began operating the facility
with beam collisions at full-energy levels. The RHIC is currently operating as a state-of-the-art
research facility and represents an accomplishment of which many individuals in the
Department and at Brookhaven are justifiably proud.
The objective of this audit was to determine whether the RHIC project met performance and
cost expectations when it was designated as an operating facility.0
U.S. Department of Energy's Purchase Card Programs-Lessons Learned
Department of Energy's Purchase Card programs and the lessons learned.
Report on the Department of Energy's Consolidated Financial Statements
The Department of Energy's Strategy for Disposal of Plutonium