GAO: DOE Prematurely Excludes Cheaper Nuclear Cleanup Options

GAO: DOE Is Prematurely Excluding Less Expensive Options for Nuclear Cleanup

I found that the Department of Energy often locks in specific solutions too early, ignoring cheaper alternatives for nuclear waste cleanup. Legal constraints and contractor influence further limit options, wasting billions. To fix this, I recommend involving independent experts before approving projects to ensure all viable, cost-saving paths are explored.

"EM did not pursue a cheaper yet technically sound treatment for one type of radioactive waste at the Idaho National Laboratory due to an existing agreement with regulators."