NCJ Number
66803
Date Published
1978
Length
19 pages
Annotation
THE GENERAL ACCOUNTING OFFICE (GAO) REVIEW OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (DOE) EFFORTS TO DEVELOP A 10-YEAR PLAN FOR FEDERAL BUILDINGS CONCLUDES THAT THE PLANNING IS BEING IMPROPERLY CONCEIVED AND INEFFECTIVELY MANAGED.
Abstract
THE 1975 ENERGY POLICY AND CONSERVATION ACT REQUIRED THE PRESIDENT TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT A 10-YEAR PLAN FOR ENERGY CONSERVATION IN BUILDINGS OWNED OR LEASED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. THE DOE HAS THE RESPONSIBILITY, ORIGINALLY DELEGATED TO THE FEDERAL ENERGY ADMINSTRATION, FOR COORDINATING DEVELOPMENT OF THE PLAN. AS OF JUNE 1978, DOE STILL HAD NO DOCUMENT WHICH COULD BE CALLED 'THE PLAN.' ALTHOUGH THE ORIGINAL DRAFT PLAN PREPARED IN JUNE 1977 WOULD HAVE SUBSTANTIALLY MET REQUIREMENTS OF THE ACT, IT HAS BEEN DISCARDED, AND DOE IS NOW TRYING TO PLACE MUCH OF THE DEVELOPMENT BURDEN ON OTHER EXECUTIVE AGENCIES. THIS APPROACH WILL PROBABLY RESULT IN A PLAN THAT WILL NOT BE AS COMPREHENSIVE AS THE ORIGINAL DRAFT. ALSO, DOE IS DELAYING ISSUANCE OF GUIDELINES PENDING PASSAGE OF THE PROPOSED NATIONAL ENERGY ACT. ENERGY USED IN THE 399,000 BUILDINGS OWNED AND OPERATED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AMOUNTS TO ABOUT 39 PERCENT OF THE ENERGY USED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. DOE'S EFFORTS SHOULD BE FOCUSED ON DEVELOPING A 10-YEAR PLAN ALONG THE ORIGINAL LINES, ON REEVALUATING THE RESPONSE TO RECOMMENDATIONS CONTAINED IN A PREVIOUS GAO REPORT AND INCORPORATING THEM INTO THE PLAN, AND ON EVALUATING THE EXISTING FEDERAL ENERGY MANAGEMENT PROGRAM STRUCTURE IN TERMS OF ITS RESPONSIBILITIES AND FUNDING LEVEL. ENCLOSURES APPENDED CONTAIN THE GAO EVALUATION OF COMMENTS MADE BY DOE, CORRESPONDENCE, SPECIFIC COMMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE REPORT INVOLVING THE GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION, AND A LIST OF PRINCIPAL OFFICIALS RESPONSIBLE FOR ADMINISTRATION OF ACTIVITIES DISCUSSED IN THIS REPORT. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED--MRK)