摘要: DOE has been considering two technologies for producing tritium-a commercialreactor and an accelerator.1 In 1997, DOE requested proposals from commercial reactor owners for DOE to either purchase a reactor or purchase irradiation ... 展开 DOE has been considering two technologies for producing tritium-a commercialreactor and an accelerator.1 In 1997, DOE requested proposals from commercial reactor owners for DOE to either purchase a reactor or purchase irradiation services. The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), another federal government agency, was the only responsive bidder; TVA offered proposals both for finishing the construction of a partially complete commercial reactor and for providing irradiation services.2 In December 1998, the Secretary of Energy chose the commercial reactor technology, specifically, the purchase of irradiation services from TVA's commercial power reactors, as the means for producing tritium. In addition, the Secretary decided to continue with the development and design-but not with the construction-of an accelerator that could function as a backup for the production of tritium, if needed. You asked us to determine (1) if the cost estimates used by the Secretary during the process of selecting between the tritium production technology options were comparable and adequately supported; (2) what management, technological, and legal activities could affect the completion of the commercial reactor option on schedule and within budget; and (3) whether DOE's current plan for the development and design of the accelerator option is an effective backup that DOE could construct and operate within cost and schedule estimates. 收起