Federal Reports

This review was initiated to assess recent efforts by the TVA Nuclear Power Group (NPG) to improve outage performance. The objective of the OIG's review was to determine whether the initiatives implemented by the NPG to improve outage performance achieved planned results and current improvement efforts can be improved. We found cost structure development and controls initiatives improved outage performance with respect to cost; however, outage duration and dose continue to miss business plan goals. Additionally, we found outage performance initiatives continually changed and excellence/improvement initiative plans did not include all planned actions. While some initiatives have been completed, others are ongoing and have rolled over to different plans, making it a challenge to tie changes to measurable results.

In response to increasing workplace violence occurring throughout the country and weaknesses identified in a previous OIG evaluation, 2012-14636 - Master Key Program Management - Property and Natural Resources, the OIG initiated a review of TVA firearms and ammunition. The objective of our review was to determine if firearms and ammunition are properly accounted for and safeguarded. Our review found TVA Police and Emergency Management (TVAP&EM) were accounting for and safeguarding firearms and ammunition; however, coal plant-owned shotguns on the 2014 inventory were not included in the annual hands-on inventory list. Unissued firearms are safeguarded in secured storage areas. These firearms, and those issued to TVAP&EM employees, are accounted for through an annual hands-on inventory. During testing, TVAP&EM were able to provide documentation for a sample of firearms that were either destroyed or transferred. While TVAP&EM guidelines require all TVA-issued firearms to be carried while on duty, one employee was unable to initially provide a firearm for physical inventory due to the firearm being in his home. Additionally, while TVAP&EM were able to provide documentation for destroyed and transferred firearms, some improvements could be made to better comply with guidelines for the documentation of transfers. Finally, there were a few instances in the guidelines regarding firearms and ammunition responsibility that did not match actual practice. Summary Only

Due to TVA aging equipment and the risk parts would be unavailable, the OIG scheduled a review of Hydro Generation obsolete equipment. The objective of our review was to determine if Hydro Generation was effectively managing obsolete equipment. During our review, we found Hydro Generation could more effectively manage obsolete equipment. We found there was no documented guidance to specify how obsolete equipment should be managed. In addition, we found obsolete equipment had extended outage durations. We also found some equipment condition assessments (ECA) included an "Availability of Spare Parts" indicator, which measures the availability and willingness of the original equipment manufacturer to support existing, installed equipment with parts and service; however, the indicator was not always included in the equipment condition assessments.