All Reports

As part of our annual audit plan, the OIG audited costs billed to the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) by CSX Transportation, Inc. (CSXT) for the transportation of coal from various coal mines and blending facilities to the Bull Run Fossil Plant (BRF) under contract numbers 65133, 14474, 86072, 85702, and 85770. Our audit included approximately $41.5 million in costs CSXT billed to TVA from October 1, 2014, to March 31, 2016, under these five contracts. Our objective was to determine if the costs billed to TVA by CSXT were in compliance with the contracts' terms and conditions.

The OIG found the implementation of wireless local area network physical and logical access controls generally followed recommended best practices. However, we found TVA could strengthen wireless security and improve unauthorized wireless access point detection.(Summary Only)

Actions taken at the Cumberland plant appear to have addressed areas for improvement identified in our initial organizational effectiveness review. Employees and management reported positive change at the plant, including better communication, an improved safety culture, and a general acknowledgement by employees of management's efforts to improve its relationship with them.

Environmental Permitting and Compliance (EP&C), a business unit falling under TVA's Safety, River Management, and Environment, is responsible for providing oversight, consistency, and standardization in TVA's permitting and compliance activities, interactions with regulators, and alignment of environmental policy with line organization execution.

The OIG audited the hydroelectric dam network architecture at a TVA facility to identify security zones and perimeters and analyze network devices and the physical infrastructure for compliance with policies, procedures, and best practices. We found TVA has used proven best practices in the design of the physical and wireless corporate networks, as well as the control network. These networks were architected appropriately and the cable plant was installed in a neat and organized manner.

Environmental Operations (EO) is responsible for the environmental site and field support for all operations, including inspections, environmental sampling, regulatory reporting, and oversight. The OIG assessed strengths and risks that could affect EO's organizational effectiveness. Our review identified strengths in EO related to (1) organizational alignment, (2) positive work relationships with other organizations, (3) management support of employees, and (4) employee teamwork.

At the request of TVA Supply Chain, the OIG examined the cost proposal submitted by a contractor, for engineering, design, and construction support for Holistic Industrial Wastewater Treatment Program services at TVA fossil plants. Our objective was to determine if the cost proposal was fairly stated for a planned $45 million contract. In our opinion, the cost proposal was overstated.

In March 2016, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) issued a Chilled Work Environment Letter for Watts Bar Nuclear Plant. The NRC concluded a chilled work environment existed in the Operations Department because of a perception that operators were not free to raise safety concerns using all available avenues without fear of retaliation.

In March 2016, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) issued a Chilled Work Environment Letter for Watts Bar Nuclear Plant. The NRC concluded a chilled work environment existed in the Operations Department because of a perception that operators were not free to raise safety concerns using all available avenues without fear of retaliation.

The Enterprise Project Management Office (EPMO) is responsible for the development and deployment of project management processes, systems, tools, and training to project organizations within Generation Construction, Projects, and Services, as well as TVA fleet-wide. Additionally, the EPMO is responsible for evaluating project performance. The OIG assessed the strengths and risks that could impact the organizational effectiveness of the EPMO. Our review found the EPMO to be effective in achieving its current goals and objectives.