**GAO-04-457**                      Published: Apr 01, 2004. Publicly Released: Apr 01, 2004.                  

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## Highlights

In 1988, radioactive contamination was found in the drinking water wells of residences near the federal government's uranium enrichment plant in Paducah, Kentucky. In response, the Department of Energy (DOE) began a cleanup program. In 2000, GAO reported that DOE faced significant challenges in cleaning up the site and that it was doubtful that the cleanup would be completed as scheduled by 2010 and within the $1.3 billion cost projection. GAO was asked to determine (1) the amount of money DOE has spent on the site, the purposes for which it was spent, and the estimated total costs for the site; (2) the status of DOE cleanup efforts; and (3) the challenges GAO previously identified that continue to be issues for DOE.

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## Topics

Energy

Budget outlaysCost analysisDecontaminationCost overrunsEnvironmental monitoringEnvironmental policiesstate relationsHazardous substancesPotable waterRadioactive pollutionRadioactive waste disposalSchedule slippagesWater pollution control