GAO's Views on DOE's New Production Reactor Selection Process

Gao ID: T-RCED-89-46 May 24, 1989

GAO discussed the Department of Energy's (DOE) new production reactor selection process. GAO found that: (1) DOE recommended a two-reactor strategy that will provide tritium for national defense purposes in 12.5 years, but it did not provide Congress with information concerning the total time necessary to construct and obtain tritium from the two suggested reactors or the actions required to ensure reliability for at least 10 years; (2) some cost estimates were inaccurate because DOE used unrealistic assumptions; (3) the DOE safety review process was uncertain; and (4) DOE did not provide an in-depth or realistic analysis of schedule, costs, and benefits associated with its acquisition strategy. GAO believes that: (1) future operation of the reactors depends on resolving numerous technical and resource problems; (2) DOE must analyze the condition and remaining usefulness of each reactor; and (3) environmental challenges and construction risks may increase the schedules for new production reactors.

Recommendations

Our recommendations from this work are listed below with a Contact for more information. Status will change from "In process" to "Open," "Closed - implemented," or "Closed - not implemented" based on our follow up work.

Director: Victor S. Rezendes Team: General Accounting Office: Resources, Community, and Economic Development Division Phone: (202) 512-6082


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