Status of the Federal Energy Management Program

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed and updated information concerning the management and coordination of the Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) by the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

In prior testimony, GAO concluded that FEMP lacked effectiveness and support and that legislative and executive order mandates were not being carried out. GAO found that, although progress has been made in meeting these mandates, some have not been fully met. DOE has shown only limited commitment to FEMP; the program has not been given a high organizational position within DOE and full-time staff has only recently been available. In addition, agencies are not providing budget line item identification of energy conservation projects involving modifications to structures or operating procedures and are not preparing budget estimates to implement conservation plans, as required by Executive order. Coordination between OMB and DOE regarding DOE review of these estimates, which is also required by Executive order, is not taking place. Specifically, GAO noted that the overall 10-year plan to conserve energy in federal buildings, required by law, was finally completed by DOE and approved by the President in 1983.