The Federal Government Needs a Comprehensive Program To Curb Its Energy Use

In the face of the Nation's growing dependency on foreign oil imports and the undesirable economic consequences, and despite legislative and executive directives, a comprehensive energy conservation program has not yet been developed. The Federal Government has not made a sufficient commitment to curb Federal energy consumption and needs a new perspective for reducing its energy use. In assessing the current status of the Federal energy conservation program, Federal energy conservation efforts were discussed with Federal agencies, field locations were visited, and reports and studies were reviewed and analyzed.

It was found that the Department of Energy (DOE) has not developed energy conservation plans for buildings, as required by legislation and Executive Orders. It has not issued guidance for Federal agencies to use in developing overall energy conservation plans. Because it does not have sufficient resources and organizational status, the DOE Federal Energy Management Program is not capable of managing a comprehensive program. Most energy use reductions have resulted from quick-fix changes that occurred between 1973 and 1974. According to Federal energy consumption data, the Government's energy use has increased in 2 of the last 3 years. Federal consumption of gasoline has increased 18 percent since 1974, while the use of coal, which is plentiful, has decreased 27 percent. DOE has taken the position that no comprehensive program is needed, and it does not intend to take any action to establish such a program.

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.

Director: James Duffus Iii Team: General Accounting Office: Energy and Minerals Division Phone: (202) 512-7756