Federal Reports

The OIG evaluated the adequacy of actions taken to mitigate combustible coal dust at TVA coal plants. Despite some improvements in combustible dust management, we determined actions taken to date were inadequate in improving deteriorating equipment conditions, addressing housekeeping challenges, and providing appropriate monitoring of combustible dust conditions at the coal plants.Although the probability of occurrence for coal dust explosions was rated by TVA in the Enterprise Risk Management risk map as unlikely, the potential consequences of an explosion could be severe and result in disruption of generating capacity, costly clean up and repairs, and even loss of life.We found coal plant and coal handling conditions exceeded acceptable dust level limits specified in TVA Safety Procedure (TSP) 816. Specifically, we observed coal dust accumulations that exceeded the 1/32 inch standard in many of the coal handling areas during walkdowns at the Bull Run, Cumberland, and Paradise fossil plants. Additionally, TVA self-identified coal dust accumulations that were above the allowable standard in many areas throughout the coal fleet. We also found monitoring tools required by the program were not being used consistently to improve plant conditions.Site assessment reports performed by yard systems engineers indicated some conditions improved between 2010 and 2012. Some equipment deficiencies were being addressed, and there were several programmatic practices in progress that were expected to improve conditions over time. However, equipment has deteriorated faster than funding has been available for repairs or replacements. Deficiencies resulting from inadequate equipment maintenance contribute to the increased presence of combustible coal dust and coal accumulations within the coal handling system. With deteriorating equipment and recent staff reductions for housekeeping, TVA faces significant challenges in keeping coal dust accumulations within the limits specified in TSP 816. More focus is needed on the program in order to better contain coal dust and reduce the necessity for extensive and repeated housekeeping activities to achieve dust accumulations below the 1/32 inch standard.TVA management generally agreed with our recommendations and has taken or is taking actions to address the findings.

Our FY 2013 FISMA review found that the Department had made progress in remediating issues identified in previous FISMA reviews. Specifically, it complied with 4 of the 11 reporting metrics: continuous monitoring, plan of action and milestones, contractor systems, and security capital planning. However, we found deficiencies with the remaining seven reporting metrics—configuration management, identity and access management, incident response and reporting, risk management, security training, remote access management, and contingency planning—many of which were repeat or modified findings from OIG reports issued over the last several years. Without adequate management, operational, and technical security controls in place, the Department’s systems and information are vulnerable to attacks that could lead to a loss of confidentiality and to a loss of integrity resulting from data modification or limited availability of systems. In addition to reiterating recommendations made in our FY 2012 FISMA report, we made 23 new recommendations to help the Department establish and sustain an effective information security program that complies with FISMA, Office of Management and Budget, and National Institute of Science and Technology requirements.

This is a publication by GAO's Inspector General that concerns internal GAO operations. The report summarizes the activities of the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) for the second reporting period of fiscal year 2013.

Patching Audit

The Reports Consolidation Act of 2000 requires the U.S. Department of Education (Department), Office of Inspector General to identify and report annually on the most serious management challenges the Department faces. The Government Performance and Results Modernization Act of 2010 requires the Department to include in its agency performance plan information on its planned actions, including performance goals,indicators, and milestones, to address these challenges. To identify management challenges, we routinely examine past audit, inspection, and investigative work, as well as issued reports where corrective actions have yet to be taken; assess ongoing audit, inspection, and investigative work to identify significant vulnerabilities; and analyze new programs and activities that could post significant challenges because of their breadth and complexity. Last year, we presented four management challenges: improper payments, information technology security, oversight and monitoring, and data quality and reporting. While the Department remains committed to addressing these areas and has taken or plans action to correct many of their underlying causes, each remains as a management challenge for fiscal year 2014. We also added a new challenge related to the Department’s information technology system development and implementation.