This Government Accountability Office (GAO) webpage is a public-facing issue summary on nuclear waste disposal in the United States. It brings together key findings from multiple GAO reports and audits examining how the federal government manages spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste. The GAO is an independent watchdog agency that reports to Congress, not a regulator.
The page explains the scope of the problem, tens of thousands of tons of spent fuel and millions of gallons of defense-related waste, and outlines the current system for storing, treating, and attempting to dispose of that waste.
What it does legally:
This document is not a law, regulation, or permit. It neither approves nor blocks any project. Instead, it serves as a formal oversight and policy analysis tool:
- It evaluates whether the Department of Energy (DOE) is meeting its legal responsibilities under federal law to dispose of nuclear waste.
- It highlights that DOE is legally responsible for building a permanent geologic repository, but has not done so due to long-standing political and policy disputes.
- It identifies gaps in the current system, including growing waste inventories, limited disposal capacity, and rising federal liabilities.
- It offers recommendations to Congress and federal agencies, which can influence future legislation, funding decisions, and regulatory actions.
While not binding, GAO findings often shape how federal agencies interpret their authority and how Congress updates the law.
