Nuclear Waste Cleanup: DOE Needs to Improve Contractor Oversight at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant

A new GAO report reveals that more than half of the mission-critical infrastructure at the Department of Energy’s Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) is in substandard condition, raising concerns about long-term operational reliability. As WIPP’s projected lifespan now extends into the 2080s, outdated equipment and inadequate contractor oversight threaten the continuity of nuclear waste disposal. The GAO found persistent gaps in maintenance data and inconsistent use of oversight tools to enforce long-term planning requirements. Without stronger contractor accountability and accurate infrastructure reporting, DOE risks costly disruptions to a vital national security function.