Energy Conservation Within the Federal Government

Despite the multitude of energy conservation efforts initiated in recent years, there is no consistent, unified national energy conservation program. Three vital measures are lacking for the accomplishment of such a plan: specific Government direction, congressional enactment of emergency energy conservation and gasoline rationing plans, and aggressive and concerted Government efforts to conserve energy in its own operations and facilities. The Government has a unique opportunity to combine the conservation of vast amounts of energy with serving as a national example by its determined pursuit of conservation. Although Federal energy use dropped dramatically from 1973 to 1975, the trend has been slightly reversed in the past 2 years. The Department of Energy (DOE) has demonstrated insufficient commitment to the Federal Energy Management Program, failing to fulfill the role envisioned for it by Congress. Despite GAO reports focusing on this failure, DOE is deemphasizing its role in the Federal Energy Management Program. Although a number of Federal laws and Executive Orders treat the subject, DOE has not issued any guidance to Federal agencies for the development of conservation plans. Some Federal agencies have taken initiative and proceeded in this direction on their own, however. Other agencies have applied funds earmarked for energy conservation and applied them to other uses. DOE is apparently confused about the role it should play in Federal conservation, although it is spelled out in the Act which created DOE. The Department's consistent reply to charges that it has failed to provide energy conservation leadership has been that it was conducting a meticulous examination of its programs and activities and would eventually take charge. This reputed effort has as yet produced no results and the continued inactivity of DOE leaves a void in the development and coordination of Federal energy conservation programs.