A government report says the cost to dismantle a decommissioned nuclear-powered aircraft carrier sitting in a Virginia shipyard may exceed $1 billion.
A report this week from the Government Accountability Office comes as the Navy decided what to do with the former USS Enterprise, the Navy's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier.
Now decommissioned, the Daily Press reports the former Enterprise currently sits at a pier at Newport News Shipbuilding, awaiting its fate.
Two plans are under consideration: One would dismantle the ship at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, Washington, while the other would leave the work to a variety of commercial companies at locations to be determined.
The GAO said cost estimates are rising, and recommends the Navy obtain an independent cost estimate before making a final decision on disposition.