Reports - NRC

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) does not have an adequate process for managing, tracking, and monitoring staff qualification records. The OIG found that NRC offices use inconsistent information-gathering methods, driven by changes in management’s workforce planning and individual office preferences for using separate information systems. As a result, the NRC may face reduced efficiency in retrieving qualification records and may lack full visibility into staff qualification gaps─factors that could adversely impact the agency’s ability to carry out its mission.

The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) found that the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) generally administered performance awards effectively; however, the OIG identified deficiencies in administering special act awards that require improvement. Specifically, the NRC granted special act awards frequently, often without sufficient justification, raising concerns about compliance with the policy criteria intended to recognize exceptional or superior achievements or contributions.

The Office of the Inspector General and the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) have an interagency agreement whereby the DCAA provides contract audit services for the OIG. The DCAA is responsible for the audit and ensuring compliance with Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards. The OIG’s responsibility is to distribute the report to U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) management and follow up on agency actions initiated due to this report.

The OIG found that the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) effectively uses operating experience (OpE) information to inspect Emergency Diesel Generators (EDGs) at operating nuclear power plants. However, the agency could strengthen the Reactor OpE Program by updating guidance and assessing the program, and ensuring the EDG Technical Review Group (TRG) members know their roles and responsibilities.

Crowe identified areas where opportunities exist for the NRC to improve its oversight of decommissioning trust funds (DTFs).  Specifically, the four areas focus on creating policies and procedures, workflows, and other support to enhance the oversight of the use of DTFs: 1. Additional monitoring or detailed review on the use of the DTFs; 2. Additional financial oversight assistance when reviewing and monitoring the use of DTFs; 3. Documented policies, procedures, and workflows; and,  

The audit objective was to determine if the Web-Based Licensing (WBL) System effectively manages the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s (NRC) materials licensing and inspection information and provides for the security, availability, and integrity of the system data. 

The audit objective was to determine if the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is effectively managing and monitoring selected research and development grants in accordance with applicable federal requirements, agency policies and guidance, and award terms and conditions.

The objective of our audit was to assess the NRC’s compliance with the Payment Integrity Information Act of 2019 for fiscal year 2024 in accordance with Office of Management and Budget Memorandum M-21-19, Appendix C to OMB Circular No. A-123, Requirements for Payment Integrity Improvement, dated March 5, 2021.  The OIG found that the NRC complied with the requirements of the Payment Integrity Information Act of 2019 for Fiscal Year 2024.

The Office of the Inspector General identified several issues with the use and oversight of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s telework program, including missing telework agreements and inaccurate telework records, both of which are required by law for proper program administration.  Additionally, we found inadequate compliance with documentation standards, which could result in inconsistent adherence to policies and inaccuracies in employee records.