Dealing With Enormous Problems in the Nuclear Weapons Complex
Gao ID: T-RCED-89-6 February 8, 1989GAO discussed actions the Department of Energy (DOE) should take to clean up and modernize its nuclear weapons complex. GAO found that DOE: (1) needs to address the cleanup and decontamination of its existing facilities as they are retired from service; (2) needs to clearly define the environmental cleanup problems to be resolved; (3) should prioritize the sites that require immediate cleanup; (4) needs to account for the types of technology and procedures to be used; (5) needs to hire a quality technical work force to manage and accomplish cleanup operations; (6) needs to establish an independent organization to oversee its internal safety program; (7) should implement its safety policy and standards at its existing facilities and in the design of new facilities; and (8) should develop a spending plan to ensure effective use of available funds.