Summary: Recognizing that problems exist with its program to permanently dispose of highly radioactive waste, the Energy Department (DOE) recently undertook several review initiatives, including a review of past criticisms of the program, a financial and management evaluation of the repository project, and a public inquiry into the continued storage of waste by utilities at their nuclear power reactors after January 1988. Taken together, these efforts are too narrow in scope and are not objective enough to provide the thoughtful and thorough program evaluation that is needed. Many Members have called for a broad-based independent review of nuclear waste management, including the management of highly radioactive waste from civilian nuclear power reactors. This report discusses why GAO continues to believe that a comprehensive independent review of the disposal program and basic policies guiding the program is needed. Without a comprehensive independent review of the disposal program and its policies, millions--if not billions--of dollars could be wasted in implementing the program over the next several decades.
