Nuclear Safety: Construction of the Protective Shelter for the Chernobyl Nuclear Reactor Faces Schedule Delays, Potential Cost Increases, and Technical Uncertainties

摘要

In 1986, an explosion at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine destroyed the reactor building and released massive amounts of radioactive contamination. A temporary shelter was built over the damaged reactor to prevent further contamination. The United States is a major donor to an international project to build a new shelter to replace the existing one, which is badly deteriorating. GAO was asked to (1) assess the progress toward completing the new shelter, (2) review the cost estimates to complete the project, and (3) assess the U.S. role in overseeing and funding the project. To carry out its work, GAO analyzed program documents, interviewed U.S. and international program officials, and visited the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. Although two of three construction components--site preparation and stabilization of the existing shelter--are nearly finished, construction of the new shelter has fallen about 7 years behind schedule. Over the past couple of years, the main reason for schedule slippage has been the failure to award a construction contract. The lack of a contract is partly the result of a lengthy disagreement between Ukraine and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). In late 2006, the Chernobyl nuclear power plant director told GAO that the donors should not make any additional contributions to the project until contracting issues were resolved.