Federal Reports

The OIG reviewed TVA's storage and handling of anhydrous ammonia to determine whether (1) TVA's policies and procedures complied with relevant ammonia-related Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and other federal regulations, and (2) TVA fossil plants were in compliance with TVA's policies and procedures covering ammonia storage and management. In addition, we assessed the general physical security surrounding TVA's ammonia storage tanks and related appurtenances.In summary, we found TVA has two procedures, TVA Safety Procedures 219 and 901, which are intended to implement the requirements of OSHA 29 CFR 1910.119. However, our audit disclosed (1) TVA does not have a formal policy addressing the requirements of American Natonal Standards Institute (ANSI) Standard K61.1 (CGA Standard G-2.1) - Storage and Handling of Anhydrous Ammonia or OSHA 1910.111, "Storage and Handling of Anhydrous Ammonia;" (2) TVA's Procedure 219, "Process Safety Management," does not address all of the requirements included in OSHA 1910.119, "Process Safety Management of Highly Hazardous Chemicals;" and (3) certain sites did not (a) complete all of the process hazard analysis requirements included in Procedure 219, (b) certify their operating procedures on an annual basis, (c) follow ammonia training requirements for its employees or have a mechanism for ensuring the required training of its employees who handle ammonia or perform maintenance on ammonia systems was timely, and (d) satisfy the nameplate and/or marking requirements for its ammonia storage tanks as required by ANSI Standard K61.1.We also found there was no "trigger" to inform visitors or nonplant TVA personnel that ammonia training may be required prior to entering the plants other than (1) Procedure 901, which requires that "Ammonia Awareness trainin shall be required for all employees or visitors to plants with SCR or any employee who may have exposure to ammonia," or (2) reliance upon the visitor's or nonplant employee's site contact for such information. Summary Only

We are pleased to present our report for the period March 31, 2010, through October 1, 2010. The hard work of our TVA OIG employees resulted in almost $20.5 million in recoveries, fines/penalties, potential savings, questioned costs, or funds which could be put to better use during this reporting period as well as numerous recommendations to improve TVA programs.We continue to monitor the progress TVA is making with both the Kingston coal ash clean-up efforts and TVA's overall record of environmental performance.

This Semiannual Report to Congress summarizes the activities of our office for the 6-month period

This report summarizes the oversight work performed by EAC OIG during the 6-month period ended September 30, 2010.