Federal Reports

Environmental Permitting and Compliance (EP&C), a business unit falling under TVA's Safety, River Management, and Environment, is responsible for providing oversight, consistency, and standardization in TVA's permitting and compliance activities, interactions with regulators, and alignment of environmental policy with line organization execution. EP&C's long-term vision is to "continue to improve TVA's environmental performance and reputation through integrated project planning and execution, compliance guidance and oversight, and strong regulatory strategy and engagement." The OIG assessed strengths and risks that could affect EP&C's organizational effectiveness. Our review identified strengths within EP&C related to (1) compliance with regulations, (2) providing support to Operations, (3) relationships with regulators, (4) teamwork, (5) safety, and (6) direct management support of employees. However, we also identified internal and external factors that, if left unresolved, could increase the risk that EP&C will not be able to effectively meet its long-term vision and could impact TVA's ability to meet the environmental portion of its mission. These factors are related to (1) organizational alignment and role clarity within TVA's environmental functions, (2) resource availability to cover the current and emerging TVA risk landscape, and (3) employee engagement risks.

Actions taken at the Cumberland plant appear to have addressed areas for improvement identified in our initial organizational effectiveness review. Employees and management reported positive change at the plant, including better communication, an improved safety culture, and a general acknowledgement by employees of management's efforts to improve its relationship with them.

An Audit was conducted to determine whether the Denali Commission's internal control over purchase card transactions is sufficient to ensure federal funds are being appropriately managed.

We did not post this report due to concerns with information protected under the Freedom of Information Act.