Testimony by the Inspector General

Testifmony on matters relating to the Department of Energy’s Yucca Mountain Project. As you know, issues surrounding the termination of the Project have been widely publicized. They directly impact the Department’s responsibilities to manage legacy waste generated from nuclear weapons production and to accept and dispose of spent nuclear fuel emanating from
commercial nuclear reactors.

Testimony on the work of the Office of Inspector General (OIG) concerning the Department of Energy's (Department) implementation of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act). The intent of the Recovery Act was to quickly stimulate the economy and create jobs while fostering an unprecedented level of accountability and transparency. The Recovery Act also provided the Department with a platform to transform its mission, particularly in the areas of scientific discovery, alternative energy sources and technological innovation.

Testimony. I appreciate the opportunity to testify today on accountability and transparency issues related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act). My testimony focuses on the efforts of my office to provide effective oversight of Recovery Act funds at the Department of Energy, which will receive approximately $40 billion for various science, energy, and environmental programs and initiatives. Furthermore, based on the Recovery Act and previously approved programs, the Department has been authorized to make or guarantee loans totaling up to $127 billion for innovative technologies as well as auto industry advancements.

Mr. Chairman and members of the Subcommittee, I am pleased to be here at your request to testify on matters relating to cyber security at the Department of Energy’s (Department) national defense laboratories. These laboratories, which are part of the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), possess and process some of the Department’s most sensitive information; information which is critical to the Nation’s defense.

Testimony on issues pertaining to contract management at the Department of
Energy. More than any other civilian agency in the Federal government, the Department of Energy places significant reliance on contractors. There are about 15,000 Federal employees at the Department. In contrast, there are approximately 100,000 contract employees plus a significant number of subcontract employees, who operate the Department’s National Laboratories, production facilities, and environmental remediation projects. The operations performed by contractors consume at least three-quarters of the
Department’s budget. As we have reported annually, managing this type of operation is one of the most pressing management challenges facing the Department. This challenge permeates almost every aspect of the Department’s programmatic and administrative activities, including the National Nuclear Security Administration.

Testimony on the concerns expressed in your April 5th letter regarding operations at the Los Alamos National Laboratory.