The Government Accountability Office has called into question the Department of Energy's ability to provide effective safety oversight at its nuclear facilities. In a report released last week, GAO expressed concern over the capabilities of the Department's Office of Health, Safety and Security (HSS), which is involved in developing, implementing and overseeing nuclear safety policies. "DOE has structured its independent oversight office, HSS, in a way that falls short of meeting our key elements of effective independent oversight of nuclear safety," GAO wrote, adding,"DOE's ability to self-regulate its high-hazard nuclear facilities not only depends on vigorous oversight of contractors by the program offices, but also on active oversight of the contractors and program offices by an internal independent oversight office with no program responsibilities."
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