Fossil Fuels Daily Coal Report Verification

The Daily Coal Report (DCR) is used to identify variances between vendor/terminal and TVA shipment weights and to graph the identified variances.We performed an inspection to verify that TVA and vendor/terminal shipment weights were accurately entered into the DCR for the period December 1, 2005, through May 3, 2006.Of the 482 tested coal shipments from nine fossil plants, 33 shipments were not recorded in the DCR in accordance with TVA weight documentation and/or vendor/terminal bills of lading.We also found that (1) significant variances exist between TVA coal weights and vendor/terminal shipment weights, based on the weights recorded in the DCR and (2) some practices are inconsistent between fossil plants.We recommended that the general manager, Fossil Fuel Supply, consider developing a standard process and procedure which: (1) defines how to account for missing or extra rail cars, (2) specifies the requirements for the tracking, reconciliation, and reporting of missing and extra rail cars, and (3) emphasizes that comments must be entered in the DCR when events occur that affect TVA and/or vendor/terminal weights.TVA management agreed with our findings and has initiated or plans to initiate corrective action. Summary Only