June 27, 2000

Experimental Breeder Reactor II Termination Activities

In February 1994, Congress directed that the Department of Energy immediately terminate its Advanced Liquid Metal Reactor Program (Reactor Program) and close the Experimental Breeder Reactor II (EBR II). The Reactor Program was a scientific effort to test and develop advanced nuclear reactor technology using EBR II. The Reactor Program and EBR II are located at the Argonne National Laboratory-West site in Idaho. The Office of Nuclear Energy, Science and Technology (Nuclear Energy), is the Headquarters program office responsible for this effort. To date, the Department has provided about $444 million for termination activities, of which about $55 million has been spent specifically on EBR II closure. The objective of the audit was to determine whether the Department and Nuclear Energy had taken action to achieve the expeditious closure of EBR II.