Nuclear Health and Safety

Dealing With Problems in the Nuclear Defense Complex Expected to Cost Over $100 Billion Gao ID: RCED-88-197BR July 6, 1988

In response to a congressional request, GAO examined problem areas in the Department of Energy's (DOE) nuclear defense facilities and the estimated costs to resolve the problems.

GAO found that DOE will need to: (1) upgrade its existing nuclear facilities to meet defense needs and to ensure that the facilities conform to safety and environmental standards; (2) clean up most of the groundwater contamination in all its facilities, including those at inactive waste sites; (3) develop adequate groundwater monitoring procedures and quality assurance programs at several sites; and (4) dispose of high-level radioactive wastes in all of its facilities. GAO also found that recent DOE cost data indicate that it will cost from $100 billion to over $130 billion to address these problems and another $15 billion to $25 billion to cover expanded capability costs and relocation costs.



The Justia Government Accountability Office site republishes public reports retrieved from the U.S. GAO These reports should not be considered official, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Justia.