All Reports

The Office of the Inspector General determined some requirements of the Tennessee Valley Authority’s procedures related to arc flash protection and engineering calculations were not performed. Specifically, (1) some arc flash hazard analyses were not performed, (2) arc flash hazard analyses were not periodically reviewed, (3) some arc flash hazard analyses were incomplete or inaccurate, and (4) some hazards were not accurately communicated on warning labels as required. In addition, we found arc flash hazard calculations were not formatted, approved, or maintained as required.

As part of our annual audit plan, we audited costs billed to the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) by The L.E. Myers Co. (LE Myers) under Contract No. 9070 for construction and modification services for TVA's Transmission and Power Supply Program. The contract provided for TVA to compensate LE Myers for these services on either a cost-reimbursable or fixed price basis. Our audit objective was to determine if costs were billed in accordance with the terms and conditions of Contract No. 9070.

The Office of the Inspector General found the Tennessee Valley Authority’s (TVA) industrial hygiene planning and assessment process had weaknesses that resulted in some hazards not being identified and evaluated.

The Office of the Inspector General conducted a review of the Sequoyah Nuclear Plant Chemistry/Environmental (SQN Chemistry) organization to identify factors that could impact SQN Chemistry’s organizational effectiveness. During the course of our evaluation, we identified behaviors that had a positive impact on SQN Chemistry. These included relationships with most management. However, we also identified behavioral risks related to accountability, relationships within and outside Chemistry, low morale, and ethics.

Due to an increase in transactions regarding real estate, we performed an evaluation to assess the Tennessee Valley Authority’s (TVA) development and implementation of its strategic real estate plan. However, TVA does not formally have a strategic real estate plan; therefore, we reviewed the goals and objectives of the Strategic Real Estate and Governance (SREG) organization to determine if they were being achieved.We determined SREG has met, or was in the process of meeting, their stated goals and objectives.

The Office of the Inspector General conducted a review of the John Sevier Combined Cycle (JSCC) Plant to identify factors that could impact JSCC’s organizational effectiveness. During the course of our evaluation, we identified behaviors that had a positive impact on JSCC. These included positive relationships between team members and management; however, we also identified minimal behavioral risks associated with communication and accountability. In addition, we identified minimal risks to operations that, if unaddressed, could hinder JSCC’s effectiveness.

Due to the importance of switching and clearances being performed safely to avoid injuries and to minimize the possibility of unscheduled outages or equipment damage, we performed an evaluation to determine if switching and clearances, required training, and audits were performed in compliance with Transmission and Power Supply’s switching and clearance procedures. We determined the selected procedural requirements for requesting and tracking of switching and clearances were generally performed in accordance with procedures.

The Office of the Inspector General conducted a review of the Commercial Energy Solutions Fuels and Hedging (F&H) organization to identify factors that could impact F&H’s organizational effectiveness. During the course of our evaluation, we identified behaviors that had a positive impact on F&H. These included relationships with team members and most management. However, we also identified a behavioral risk related to relationships with a manager in one group. In addition, we identified risks to operations that could hinder F&H’s effectiveness.

Due to concerns identified during Evaluation 2020-15743, Sequoyah Nuclear Plant Radiation Protection’s Organizational Effectiveness (report issued December 10, 2020), we performed an evaluation of TVA Nuclear’s handling of potentially contaminated liquids at its nuclear sites. The scope of our evaluation was limited to TVA Nuclear’s process for releasing liquids from Radiologically Controlled Areas (RCA) for unrestricted use. We determined potentially contaminated liquids were released from RCAs at each nuclear site.

In this semiannual period, our audit, evaluation, and investigative activities identified more than $7.1 million in questioned costs, funds put to better use, and recoveries and opportunities for TVA to improve its programs and operations.