Summary

The Energy Department (DOE) builds radioisotope thermoelectric generators to produce electricity for use in deep space and remote terrestrial areas. The power systems have been critical to both the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and Defense Department missions for more than 30 years. DOE is considering moving its generator operations from its Mound Plant in Ohio to a new facility being built at the Hanford Reservation in Washington. This report answers the following questions: Where does DOE plan to assemble generators in the future? How much would it cost to overhaul the Mound Plant facility to make it suitable for long-term generator assembly? How will DOE address previously cited public safety concerns about Mound doing nuclear work in a residential area? How much money has DOE spent to modify Hanford's Fuels and Materials Examination facility in preparation for the assembly of generators, and how much will it cost to complete this changeover?

GAO found that: (1) DOE plans to continue RTG assembly and testing at its Mound facility through the completion of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Cassini mission in October 1997, but it has not developed a plan for reliable, uninterrupted RTG support after the Cassini mission; (2) DOE has cancelled its Hanford RTG project because it plans to keep long-term RTG support at the Mound facility, but the plant may be closed under DOE consolidation plans; (3) DOE believes Mound RTG operations will be less expensive than completing the new Hanford facility, since the Air Force cancelled its RTG requirements; (4) DOE does not want to introduce new RTG operations at the Hanford facility because it is in the cleanup-and-restoration stage of its life cycle; (5) DOE has not estimated the cost of long-term RTG operations at its Mound facility; (6) DOE believes that RTG operations at the Mound facility do not pose a nuclear hazard problem for the residential area, since the nuclear material used will be encapsulated; and (7) DOE has spent $25.7 million on the Hanford facility and estimates it will cost an additional $24.2 million to complete the project by September 1995.