Environmental Protection Agency

Both the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the General Services Administration (GSA) agree that EPA needs a new headquarters. Until a solution is found, efforts to alleviate overcrowding and improve air quality and working conditions at EPA's current headquarters (Waterside Mall in southwest Washington, D.C.) will continue and should provide interim improvements. Although the new Federal Triangle Building initially appeared to be a promising site, neither EPA nor GSA anticipated congressional reluctance concerning EPA's occupancy of the building. In spite of a 5-year lead time, GSA has been unsuccessful in securing a consolidated location for EPA. As a result, EPA will continue to spend millions on short-term leases and employee shuttle services until a long-term solution is found. GAO believes that the new administration should give prompt attention to EPA's need for consolidated headquarters space.

GAO found that: (1) workspace at the Waterside Mall complex became overcrowded as EPA staffing increased, and complaints about working conditions increased when EPA began facility renovations; (2) EPA undertook extensive cleanup operations, made ventilation system improvements, and installed new carpeting at the complex to remedy air quality and overcrowded conditions; (3) EPA moved some employees to alternative workspace because of health problems, which increased EPA operating expenses; (4) EPA spent $807,200 operating six shuttle buses to transport EPA employees to multiple work locations and estimated that the lost work time cost it $4.9 million per year; (5) the Office of Management and Budget proposed that EPA locate its new headquarters in the Federal Triangle Building (FTB), but the House Public Buildings and Grounds Subcommittee opposed EPA occupancy of FTB because it would change its character from an international cultural and trade center to an ordinary government office building; (6) GSA proposed that EPA and the Department of Transportation (DOT) split occupancy of FTB; and (7) if the DOT/EPA housing plan is implemented, EPA will need 800,000 square feet of additional space.

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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