Response to OMB Comments on GAO's August 2, 1982, Report Entitled "Analysis of Energy Reorganization Savings Estimates and Plans"

GAO responded to criticisms made by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) of its recent report on the administration's reorganization of the Department of Energy (DOE).

The OMB criticisms were that GAO: (1) did not approach senior administration officials to obtain information on the reorganization and based its findings on outdated information; (2) concentrated on secondary and incidental benefits, costs, and implementation plans, rather than focusing on the appropriate Federal energy role; and (3) attacked the administration's lack of detailed implementation plans, and ignored the reality that useful detailed planning must await legislative action. GAO stated that its work effort for this report was continuous during the period February 1, 1982, to July 30, 1982, and that it obtained its information from the Task Force on Energy Reorganization, the White House, DOE, and the Departments of Commerce and the Interior. Further, cost estimates of the reorganization were requested up until 2 days before the report was issued. GAO did not address the subject of the Federal energy role in the report in question; however, it did address the subject in a report issued earlier this year. That report discussed energy trends and problems, the evolution of Federal energy-related agencies, the extent to which the Government should be involved in energy policy and programs, and the Government's organizational structure for dealing with the energy problem. The report in question makes clear that the administration established a high-level interagency task force on the reorganization and commends the administration for taking this step. While some details await legislative action, efforts can be directed toward organizational problems and planning.