All Reports

We audited $314.9 million of costs billed to TVA by G-UB-MK Constructors for modifications and supplemental maintenance work at TVA fossil and hydro plants and other TVA-controlled facilities. In summary, we determined G-UB-MK's billings to TVA complied with the terms of the contract except for $3,783 in net overbillings for craft labor. The contractor agreed with our findings and plans to issue TVA a credit for the overbilled costs. Summary Only

This review included identifying (1) performance trends based on Institute of Nuclear Power Operations (INPO) reports, (2) major contributing factors affecting performance trends, and (3) patterns of behavior that impact culture. Our review found Nuclear Power Group's (NPG) performance with respect to the INPO index, an industry standard in trending nuclear performance, safety, and reliability, declined through 2007 and then improved through 2010. We found outages, both planned and forced, were a major contributor to changes in performance.

The OIG audited the handling and processing of personally identifiable information (PII) provided to Cartus Corporation, a contractor for TVA. Our audit evaluated the (1) processes used to safeguard data transmitted from TVA to Cartus (2) handling, processing, and security of the data at Cartus, and (3) compliance with security-related contract terms. Generally, we found TVA controls for transmission of data to Cartus and its security controls for TVA data stored on its systems were effective in protecting the data.

We reviewed the TVA compliance with the Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA) of 2002. In summary, we determined that while TVA has made some progress in implementing information technology controls required by FISMA and work on some previously recommended actions continues, additional efforts were needed to strengthen compliance of TVA's security program with existing controls and address additional concerns.

The OIG audited the electric system of Volunteer Energy Cooperative (Volunteer), a distributor based in Decatur, Tennessee. The objective of the audit was to determine compliance with provisions of the power contract between TVA and Volunteer for the period July 2008 through June 2010. For fiscal year (FY) 2010, Volunteer provided power to approximately 110,000 customers resulting in electric sales revenue of approximately $200 million.

We reviewed the effectiveness of TVA's budget process. Our objective was to review the adequacy of the processes used in preparing, reviewing, and adopting the fiscal year 2011 budget. In general, we determined the overall design of the budget process was sufficient to achieve the desired results. We found nothing to indicate the benchmarking process was not sufficient to allow TVA to benchmark itself against its peers. We also found nothing to indicate the budget review and approval process was insufficient.

We performed four agreed-upon procedures that were requested solely to assist management in determining the validity of the Winning Performance payout awards for the year ended September 30, 2011.Results of the procedures applied follow. In summary,The fiscal year (FY) 2011 WP goals were properly approved, including two changes approved on August 15, 2011 and August 24, 2011.

The OIG evaluated the (1) security controls for protecting TVA data transmitted to and handled by ActiveHealth and (2) adequacy of and compliance with TVA contract terms for security and data protection. In summary, we determined, (1) appropriate controls were in place to effectively protect personally identifiable information and protected health information transmitted to and handled by ActiveHealth, and (2) ActiveHealth complied with the security terms included in the TVA contract.

As those of you who read our Semiannual Report (SAR) know, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) at the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) selects a theme for each SAR and this SAR is no different. Our theme for this edition is "Navigating Risk." In many ways, our theme for every SAR could be about risk as this is the heart of our work and what drives our audit plan every year. This is the first edition of our SAR devoted to the topic of risks, but it will not be our last.

TVA's challenges are great with the need for financial flexibility to ensure the TVA mission of delivering low cost power is achieved. The current debt ceiling could limit TVA's financial flexibility and require TVA to seek higher cost financing options or require significant rate increases that could adversely affect the economic development of the Tennessee Valley region.