Nuclear Material: Doe Needs to Take Action to Reduce Risks Before Processing Additional Nuclear Material at the Savannah River Site's H-

During the Cold War, the Department of Energy (DOE) produced nuclear materials for nuclear weapons at its Savannah River Site (SRS) by dissolving highly radioactive spent nuclear fuel from reactors in a facility known as H-Canyon. DOE planned to end H-Canyon operations in 2007 but now plans to continue H-Canyon operations until 2019 to process additional nuclear material. GAO was asked to (1) identify the types of nuclear materials DOE will process using H-Canyon and its associated costs of operation, (2) determine whether SRSs radioactive waste storage tanks and associated nuclear waste facilities are capable of handling the additional waste generated by H-Canyon, and (3) describe H-Canyons compliance with safety and environmental requirements. To conduct its work, GAO reviewed DOEs plans to process nuclear material using H-Canyon and visited SRS to observe the canyon and associated radioactive waste treatment facilities.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1287164927
• ISBN13: 9781287164920
• Release Date: May 2013
• Publisher: Bibliogov
• Length: 36 Pages
• Weight: 0.18 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.1" x 7.4" x 9.7"