Nuclear Materials: Alternatives for Relocating Rocky Flats Plant's Plutonium Operations
RCED-87-93
Published: Apr 14, 1987. Publicly Released: May 06, 1987.
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Highlights
In response to a congressional request, GAO examined operations at the Department of Energy's (DOE) Rocky Flats Plant to determine: (1) whether relocating the plutonium-processing operations to other DOE sites is a viable alternative to correcting problems with the processing building; (2) what effect such a relocation would have on public health and safety in the Denver, Colorado, area; and (3) whether the costs associated with correcting the processing building's problems are significant enough to warrant relocating the entire plant.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Energy | The Secretary of Energy should ensure that the selection of the best solution is closely coordinated with this study to ensure that construction/modernization funding is used efficiently. |
Closed – Implemented
In December 1988, DOE issued its comprehensive strategy for modernizing the weapons complex. The strategy calls for relocating all operations currently performed at the Rocky Flats plant.
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Topics
Cost analysisEarthquakesFederal facility relocationHazardous substancesNuclear materialsNuclear waste disposalNuclear weapons plant safetyNuclear weapons plantsRadiation exposure hazardsSafety regulationSafety standardsPlutonium