NCJ Number
66484
Date Published
1979
Length
20 pages
Annotation
THIS GENERAL ACCOUNTING OFFICE REPORT CRITICIZES THE ROLE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (DOE) IN DEVELOPING THE SOLAR IN FEDERAL BUILDINGS DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM AS PART OF A MAJOR GOVERNMENT ENERGY CONSERVATION INITIATIVE.
Abstract
THE DOE HAS NOT DEVELOPED A COMPREHENSIVE STRATEGY NOR A MEANINGFUL PLAN TO GUIDE CONSERVATION AND SOLAR ENERGY EFFORTS IN FEDERAL BUILDINGS. THERE IS OVERLAPPING AUTHORITY BETWEEN DOE'S TWO SOLAR HEATING AND COOLING DEMONSTRATION PROGRAMS. FURTHER, ALTHOUGH DOE'S LEADERSHIP ROLE FOR CONSERVATION AND SOLAR PROJECTS IN FEDERAL BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES IS MANDATED BY LEGISLATIVE AND EXECUTIVE ORDERS, DOE HAS CONSISTENTLY REFUSED TO UNDERTAKE THE ROLE OF LEADER AND MANAGER FOR FEDERAL ENERGY CONSERVATION EFFORTS. A LARGE NUMBER OF SOLAR PROJECTS ARE BEING IMPLEMENTED IN FEDERAL BUILDINGS WITHOUT DOE'S LEADERSHIP, PARTICIPATION, OR FUNDING CONTROL, AND THERE MAY BE EVEN GREATER NUMBERS OF SUCH PROJECTS IN THE FUTURE. IN ADDITION, THERE IS NO INDICATION THAT DOE IS TAKING ACTION TO ASSURE THAT FEDERAL SOLAR ENERGY PROJECTS WILL BE INTEGRATED WITH OTHER CONSERVATION EFFORTS. DOE IS ALSO RELYING ON THE NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION (NASA) TO MANAGE A MAJOR SOLAR COMMERCIALIZATION PROGRAM, HAS NOT REQUESTED THE FULL FUNDING AUTHORIZED BY CONGRESS UNDER THE NATIONAL ENERGY CONSERVATION POLICY ACT (NECPA), AND HAS NOT REQUESTED AN EXTENSION OF THE PROGRAM TO THE 3-YEAR PERIOD ORIGINALLY PROPOSED BY THE PRESIDENT. THE REPORT RECOMMENDS THAT DOE ASSUME AND CARRY OUT ITS MANDATED LEADERSHIP BY DEVELOPING A COMPREHENSIVE STRATEGY AND PLAN TO GUIDE AND INTEGRATE CONSERVATION AND SOLAR ENERGY FOR FEDERAL BUILDINGS. RULES FOR PRELIMINARY ENERGY AUDITS OF FEDERAL BUILDINGS SHOULD BE REVISED SO THAT AGENCIES CAN IDENTIFY APPROPRIATE CONSERVATION RETROFIT PROJECTS WHICH INCLUDE SOLAR TECHNOLOGY. THE USE OF NASA BASIC MANAGEMENT AND STAFF SUPPORT SHOULD BE REEVALUATED, A FEDERAL BUILDINGS SOLAR PROGRAM ON THE SCALE ENVISIONED BY THE PRESIDENT AND THE CONGRESS SHOULD BE IMPLEMENTED, AND LIFE CYCLE COST EFFECTIVENESS PROBLEMS THAT STAND IN THE WAY OF USING SOLAR TECHNOLOGY IN FEDERAL BUILDINGS SHOULD BE REVIEWED AND RESOLVED. APPENDIX II CONTAINS THE PROPOSED TASKS TO BE PERFORMED BY NASA/MARSHALL SPACE FLIGHT CENTER. (AOP)