Analysis of the Energy Research and Development Budget Proposal Process

Gao ID: RCED-83-6 November 5, 1982

GAO reported on the energy research and development (R&D) budget proposal process and reviewed the process underlying the administration's fiscal year 1983 energy R&D budget proposal.

GAO found that the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) do not set priorities among program areas by systematically applying planning and decisionmaking criteria. The basis for the professional judgments of individual program managers, energy policy reviewers, and budget decisionmakers are seldom well-documented; therefore, evaluation of energy R&D project terminations and funding levels are hampered. GAO concluded that criteria and priority systems based on the technical and economic merits of the various energy concepts, technologies, and projects need to be established to provide the most effective use of limited funds.



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