Federal Reports

To obtain further information, please contact the OIG Office of Counsel at OIGCounsel@oig.treas.gov, (202) 927-0650, or by mail at Office of Treasury Inspector General, 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington DC 20220.

We investigated the amount of coal being left in barges after they were unloaded at the Cumberland Fossil Plant. Information provided by the barge company showed that from August 1, 2006 through July 31, 2007, TVA abandoned roughly 14,000 tons of coal per month. Based on the average cost per ton, including transportation costs, we estimated TVA lost over $6 million annually. Management advised they would review the cost effectiveness of using a contractor to clean out barges and they would issue an early Request for Proposals to attempt to negotiate language to provide for dedicated barges or clean out services.

To obtain further information, please contact the OIG Office of Counsel at OIGCounsel@oig.treas.gov, (202) 927-0650, or by mail at Office of Treasury Inspector General, 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington DC 20220.

We reviewed hospitality expenses incurred by TVA October 1, 2005, through June 30, 2007, to (1) determine the type and level of expenditures; (2) assess compliance with policies and procedures; and (3) identify changes in hospitality policies since our last hospitality audit. We found total hospitality expenditures, including employee recognition expenses, averaged about $2.3 million per year during the period, representing a 64 percent reduction from fiscal year 2003 spending. For the period reviewed, TVA generally complied with policies and procedures, except as related to obtaining preapproval of hospitality expenditures. Management agreed with this finding and took corrective action. <br><br>