Uranium Enrichment: Congressional Action Needed To Revitalize the Program
RCED-88-18
Published: Oct 19, 1987. Publicly Released: Nov 04, 1987.
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Highlights
In response to a congressional request, GAO assessed the problems of the Department of Energy's (DOE) uranium enrichment program and identified options to revitalize it.
Recommendations
Matter for Congressional Consideration
| Matter | Status | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| In order to place the enrichment program on firm financial footing, Congress should enact legislation to define a reasonable amount of costs the program needs to recover. In defining the amount of costs to be recovered, Congress should allow the write-off of unproductive assets and consider freezing total interest charges. | As of August 1992, the Senate and House had passed S. 2166 and H.R. 776, respectively, which would restructure the DOE enrichment program as a government corporation with flexible pricing authority. The bills would also establish a decommissioning fund. A conference committee met in late 1992 and resolved differences between the bills. | |
| In order to place the enrichment program on firm financial footing, Congress should enact legislation to provide the enrichment program with sufficient budget and management flexibility to ensure that optimum production schedules are followed and long-term customer commitments are not compromised. | As of August 1992, the Senate and House had passed S. 2166 and H.R. 776, respectively, which would restructure the DOE enrichment program as a government corporation with flexible pricing authority. The bills would also establish a decommissioning fund. A conference committee met in late 1992 and resolved differences between the bills. | |
| In order to place the enrichment program on firm financial footing, Congress should enact legislation to allow DOE sufficient flexibility in setting its pricing strategy to allow it to meet market competition. | As of August 1992, the Senate and House had passed S. 2166 and H.R. 776, respectively, which would restructure the DOE enrichment program as a government corporation with flexible pricing authority. The bills would also establish a decommissioning fund. A conference committee met in late 1992 and resolved differences between the bills. | |
| In order to place the enrichment program on firm financial footing, Congress should enact legislation to require that DOE include future decontamination and decommissioning costs in its base of costs to be recovered. | As of August 1992, the Senate and House had passed S. 2166 and H.R. 776, respectively, which would restructure the DOE enrichment program as a government corporation with flexible pricing authority. The bills would also establish a decommissioning fund. A conference committee met in late 1992 and resolved differences between the bills. |
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Energy conservationEnergy costsEnvironmental legislationFinancial analysisNuclear energyNuclear fuel plantsProgram managementProposed legislationUraniumUranium enrichment