Better Communication Could Have Enhanced Enforcement of Federal Oil Pricing Regulations

Gao ID: GGD-81-60 May 4, 1981

The Departments of Energy and Justice have shared the responsibility for enforcing the Federal oil pricing and allocation regulations.

Both agencies can enhance enforcement efforts through better communication and coordination of their investigative and prosecutive activities. Energy can help insure that its district Office of Enforcement officials seek civil penalties in all appropriate cases where remedial orders have been issued and complied with. GAO believes that such steps are necessary, even though the President discontinued controls on crude oil and refined petroleum products, because both agencies are currently pursuing legal actions on violations which occurred prior to the President's action. Justice is maintaining and providing better information on prosecutive declinations.

Recommendations

Our 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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