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                    Most Recent Reports**1 - 20 of 2475 Reports**
	
	

	
	  **Released on   Apr 8, 2024**
          Federal Research: Key Practices for Scientific Program Managers
    GAO-24-106297
      Published:   Apr 8, 2024
. 
        Publicly Released:   Apr 8, 2024
.
    In fiscal year 2021, the federal government funded over $85 billion in basic research as well as early research directed toward a specific practical aim. Federal research spurs innovation and promotes national economic competitiveness, prosperity, and security. Scientific program managers at federal agencies that sponsor research play a crucial role in guiding and shaping the research. This report identifies key practices that program managers use...
      **Released on   Mar 7, 2024**
          Cybersecurity: Improvements Needed in Addressing Risks to Operational Technology
    GAO-24-106576
      Published:   Mar 7, 2024
. 
        Publicly Released:   Mar 7, 2024
.
    Operational technology systems control processes or production, and are often used in critical infrastructure—e.g., a system of sensors, controllers, and actuators that open and close the valves in oil pipelines. Cyberattacks pose a significant threat to these systems. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency provides technical assistance to help critical infrastructure owners and operators address those cyber risks. But owners and operators had some challenges...
      **Released on   Jan 31, 2024**
          Nuclear Waste: Changing Conditions May Affect Future Management of Contamination Deposited Abroad During U.S. Cold War Activities
    GAO-24-104082
      Published:   Jan 31, 2024
. 
        Publicly Released:   Jan 31, 2024
.
    U.S. Cold War activities caused radioactive contamination in three other countries. The contamination in Greenland—from a closed nuclear reactor—and in Spain—from an aircraft accident—is being monitored. But changing climate and economic conditions have raised concerns about future effects on local areas. In the Marshall Islands—where the U.S. tested nuclear weapons—local officials are worried that rising sea levels may impact contaminated sites. The Department of Energy...
      **Released on   Jan 29, 2024**
          Federal Software Licenses: Agencies Need to Take Action to Achieve Additional Savings
    GAO-24-105717
      Published:   Jan 29, 2024
. 
        Publicly Released:   Jan 29, 2024
.
    Federal agencies buy thousands of software licenses annually. Across the 24 agencies we examined, 10 vendors accounted for the majority of the most widely used licenses. But it's unclear which products under those licenses are most widely used because of agencies' inconsistent and incomplete data. For example, multiple software products may be bundled into a single license with a vendor, and agencies may not have...
      **Released on   Dec 12, 2023**
          Artificial Intelligence: Agencies Have Begun Implementation but Need to Complete Key Requirements
    GAO-24-105980
      Published:   Dec 12, 2023
. 
        Publicly Released:   Dec 12, 2023
.
    Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing the world and could improve government operations. For example, federal agencies can use AI to analyze drone photos and large datasets. But safeguards are needed to manage AI risks. Federal law and guidance have several requirements for agencies implementing AI, but they haven't all been met. For example, there's no government-wide guidance on how agencies should acquire and use AI...
      **Released on   Dec 7, 2023**
          Nuclear Materials: DOE Plans for Savannah River Site's H-Canyon Facility
    GAO-24-106494
      Published:   Dec 7, 2023
. 
        Publicly Released:   Dec 7, 2023
.
    The Department of Energy uses the H-Canyon facility in South Carolina to help process certain nuclear materials for disposal—such as spent nuclear fuel that contains highly enriched uranium. Some of these materials have no other means of disposal, are unstable, and pose risks to people and the environment. Several programs within DOE and one at another federal agency rely on this facility that may close...
          Low-Dose Radiation: Agency Leadership and Collaboration Are Needed to Set the Direction of Future Research
    GAO-24-106317
      Published:   Dec 7, 2023
. 
        Publicly Released:   Dec 7, 2023
.
    Exposure to high doses of radiation is unhealthy—but what about low doses? The Department of Energy and other agencies have been supporting and conducting research to answer this question for more than 2 decades. In 2018, Congress directed DOE to lead a low-dose radiation research program. Congress also directed DOE to work with the National Academies to outline research priorities for the program. Its June...
      **Released on   Nov 30, 2023**
          High-Risk Radioactive Material: Opportunities Exist to Improve the Security of Sources No Longer in Use
    GAO-24-105998
      Published:   Nov 30, 2023
. 
        Publicly Released:   Nov 30, 2023
.
    "Radioactive sources" refers to nuclear materials that emit radiation and are sealed in containers that are specifically designed for use in medical, industrial, or research applications. For example, cesium-137 is widely used in a device that irradiates donor blood to make it safer for transfusions. These radioactive sources can only be used for a defined period—based on radioactive half-life—but some users delay disposal, leaving sources...
      **Released on   Nov 28, 2023**
          Small Business Research Programs: Information Regarding Subaward Use and Data Quality
    GAO-24-106399
      Published:   Nov 28, 2023
. 
        Publicly Released:   Nov 28, 2023
.
    Agencies that participate in the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs have helped small businesses bring new technologies to market—such as a low-cost, energy-efficient alternative to fluorescent lights. Small businesses that receive these awards are allowed to use subcontractors and consultants (such as other companies, academic institutions, and nonprofits) to assist with these projects. We estimated that about 70% of award...
      **Released on   Nov 16, 2023**
          Federal Real Property: Agencies Should Provide More Information About Increases in Deferred Maintenance and Repair
    GAO-24-105485
      Published:   Nov 16, 2023
. 
        Publicly Released:   Nov 16, 2023
.
    We've reported that federal agencies have deferred the maintenance and repairs on their buildings, creating a backlog of these needs. The estimated cost of 4 agencies' backlogs increased more than 80% over FY 2017-2022. Officials at the agencies attributed this to factors including funding constraints, cost increases, and the age and quantity of agencies' physical assets. Agencies' budget documents include information on maintenance needs. But...
      **Released on   Sep 28, 2023**
          Hanford Cleanup: Alternative Approaches Could Save Tens of Billions of Dollars
    GAO-23-106880
      Published:   Sep 28, 2023
. 
        Publicly Released:   Sep 28, 2023
.
    The Hanford Site in Washington State is one of the largest and most expensive environmental cleanup projects worldwide. We estimated in 2022 that the cleanup will cost between $300 billion and $640 billion and take decades. In this Snapshot report we cover steps the Department of Energy and Congress could take to save money and reduce risks posed by the site's 54 million gallons of...
      **Released on   Aug 24, 2023**
          Nuclear Power: NRC Needs to Take Additional Actions to Prepare to License Advanced Reactors
    GAO-23-105997
      Published:   Jul 27, 2023
. 
        Publicly Released:   Aug 24, 2023
.
    The Nuclear Regulatory Commission licenses nuclear reactors. In the coming years, the agency expects an increase in licensing applications for advanced nuclear reactors that may provide benefits like faster and cheaper electricity production. NRC has begun updating its regulations and processes to include these reactors—but has had difficulty hiring and retaining the staff needed to license them. Although NRC has offered recruitment and retention incentives...
      **Released on   Aug 2, 2023**
          Electricity Grid: DOE Could Better Support Industry Efforts to Ensure Adequate Transformer Reserves
    GAO-23-106180
      Published:   Aug 2, 2023
. 
        Publicly Released:   Aug 2, 2023
.
    Large power transformers help to efficiently transmit electricity across the grid. These critical grid components are vulnerable to wear and tear, natural disasters, and cyber and physical attacks. Replacing them is expensive and takes a long time. The Department of Energy intends to improve grid resilience by supporting the electricity industry as it works to ensure adequate reserves of spare transformers. DOE has identified ways...
      **Released on   Jul 26, 2023**
          Hanford Cleanup: DOE Should Consider Including Expedited Nuclear Waste Treatment Alternatives in Upcoming Analysis
    GAO-23-106151
      Published:   Jul 26, 2023
. 
        Publicly Released:   Jul 26, 2023
.
    The Department of Energy must treat 54 million gallons of radioactive waste that it is holding in aging and leak-prone underground storage tanks in Hanford, Washington. DOE also has to develop plans every few years that model and evaluate different waste treatment options. DOE has been working to find effective alternatives to deal with the waste—including speeding up treatment. However, the agency hasn't fully evaluated...
      **Released on   Jul 19, 2023**
          Federal Fleets: Zero-Emission Vehicle Implementation
    GAO-23-105350
      Published:   Jul 19, 2023
. 
        Publicly Released:   Jul 19, 2023
.
    In December 2021, the Biden Administration issued an Executive Order calling for most federal vehicle acquisitions to be zero-emission vehicles by 2035. This Q&A discusses the progress agencies have made toward meeting this requirement. Most of the 30 affected agencies have started preparing their workforces and set annual goals for installing charging equipment and acquiring vehicles. This fiscal year, 26 agencies set a target to...
          Nuclear Waste Cleanup: DOE Needs to Address Weaknesses in Program and Contractor Management at Los Alamos
    GAO-23-105665
      Published:   Jul 19, 2023
. 
        Publicly Released:   Jul 19, 2023
.
    The Department of Energy's Environmental Management Site Office at Los Alamos is tasked with cleaning up contaminated soil and groundwater, and shipping nuclear and hazardous waste to offsite disposal areas. The site office recently drafted new program management documents, including an updated cost estimate for the work. But it hasn't taken a comprehensive approach to prioritizing cleanup activities at the site. For example, the site...
      **Released on   Jun 1, 2023**
          Priority Open Recommendations: Department of Energy
    GAO-23-106459
      Published:   May 25, 2023
. 
        Publicly Released:   Jun 1, 2023
.
    Each year, we make more than 1,000 recommendations to help the federal government save money, address issues on our High Risk List , and significantly improve government operations. This letter to the U.S. Department of Energy outlines 30 open recommendations that it should prioritize. For example, the U.S. electricity grid faces risks from climate change, and we recommended that DOE implement a department-wide strategy to...
      **Released on   May 24, 2023**
          Hanford Cleanup: DOE Should Validate Its Analysis of High-Level Waste Treatment Alternatives
    GAO-23-106093
      Published:   May 24, 2023
. 
        Publicly Released:   May 24, 2023
.
    For more than 20 years, the Department of Energy has been building facilities to treat and dispose of radioactive and hazardous waste at its Hanford Site in Washington State. Waste treatment could cost about $341 billion and likely won't be complete until 2084. DOE has been analyzing treatment alternatives for the most highly radioactive waste. However, the agency hasn't sought an independent review of its...
          Nuclear Security: DOE Should Take Actions to Fully Implement Insider Threat Program
    GAO-23-105576
      Published:   May 24, 2023
. 
        Publicly Released:   May 24, 2023
.
    The Department of Energy has several programs to ensure proper access to and handling of the nation's nuclear weapons and related information. DOE started a program in 2014 to further protect against insider threats from employees, contractors, and trusted visitors. But as of 2023, DOE hasn't fully implemented the program. For example, DOE doesn't ensure that employees are trained to identify and report potential insider...
      **Released on   May 17, 2023**
          Sustainable Aviation Fuel: Agencies Should Track Progress Toward Ambitious Federal Goals [Reissued with Revisions May 17, 2023]
    GAO-23-105300
      Published:   Mar 23, 2023
. 
        Publicly Released:   May 17, 2023
.
    To reduce aviation greenhouse gas emissions, the White House issued a "Grand Challenge" that aims to increase the production of sustainable jet fuel to 3 billion gallons per year by 2030. Its goal is also to produce enough fuel to meet 100% of commercial jet fuel demand by 2050. Currently, this fuel is used at two large airports, but accounts for less than 0.1% of...
    
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