Evaluation of Four Energy Conservation Programs
Fiscal Year 1977 Gao ID: EMD-78-81 November 21, 1978Title IV of the Energy Conservation and Production Act authorized four programs to encourage and facilitate the implementation of energy conservation measures and renewable-resource energy measures in dwelling units, nonresidential buildings, and industrial plants. The authorized programs are: (1) supplemental state energy conservation plans; (2) weatherization assistance for low-income persons; (3) energy conservation and renewable-resource obligation guarantees; and (4) national energy conservation and renewable-resource demonstration for existing dwelling units.
The renewable-resource obligation guarantees program is a discretionary program designed to guarantee the outstanding principal amount of an obligation whose purpose is to finance the installation or implementation of an energy conservation or renewable-resource energy measure in any existing building or plant. The program has not been implemented. As of September 30, 1977, 55 jurisdictions were participating in state base programs, and 22 were participating in the supplemental programs for energy conservation. At the end of fiscal year 1977, federal program expenditures were $6.8 million for the base and $3.7 million for the supplemental programs. Administration and operation of the state programs need to be improved in the areas of assessing program impact, accounting of funds, monitoring compliance, and providing technical assistance. Two federal low-income weatherization programs have nearly identical purposes, methods of funding, and weatherizing measures. Both lack centralized control and authority.
RecommendationsOur recommendations from this work are listed below with a Contact for more information. Status will change from "In process" to "Open," "Closed - implemented," or "Closed - not implemented" based on our follow up work.
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