January 3, 2011

Improvements Needed in the Department's Emergency Preparedness and Continuity of Operations Planning

The Department of Energy's diverse mission is directly related to helping resolve many of the energy, environmental, and nuclear security challenges that face the Nation. As a consequence, the Department's operations involve dangerous substances such as nuclear and hazardous materials. In this context, the Department must: (i) ensure that it can quickly and effectively respond to emergencies at its facilities; and, (ii) be prepared to maintain or resume mission-related work following an emergency. The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) has responsibility for developing the Department's overall emergency preparedness and continuity planning policy.

Topic: National Security & Safety