The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA) requires Federal agencies to apply
energy efficiency measures to Federal buildings so that by Fiscal Year (FY) 2015, each agency's
energy intensity is reduced by 30 percent from the baseline established in FY 2003. Energy
intensity is calculated as the energy consumption in British Thermal Units (BTUs) per gross
square foot of the Federal buildings. The Department of Energy's (Department) FY 2003 energy
consumption baseline for its sites around the Nation was 23 trillion BTUs, supplied by energy
acquired at an annual cost of around $229 million. If the Department achieves the 30 percent
energy conservation requirement in FY 2015, its energy consumption would be reduced by
nearly 7 trillion BTUs, resulting in a savings of nearly $80 million annually. This equates to the
power necessary to operate nearly 180,000 housing units.
The Department's approach to meeting its EISA requirement has been to rely, to the maximum
extent possible, on its individual sites obtaining third-party financing agreements, known as
Energy Savings Performance Contracts (ESPCs), to fund energy conservation projects. An
ESPC is a financing mechanism in which a private sector energy services company develops and
installs multiple energy efficiency projects in exchange for a share of the future savings over the
contract period.
The Department has emphasized the need for its actions to set the example for energy
conservation in the Federal Government, the Nation's largest energy consumer. Because of the
Department's commitment to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, we
initiated this audit to determine whether the Department had developed an effective approach for
meeting EISA's energy intensity reduction requirement.
energy efficiency measures to Federal buildings so that by Fiscal Year (FY) 2015, each agency's
energy intensity is reduced by 30 percent from the baseline established in FY 2003. Energy
intensity is calculated as the energy consumption in British Thermal Units (BTUs) per gross
square foot of the Federal buildings. The Department of Energy's (Department) FY 2003 energy
consumption baseline for its sites around the Nation was 23 trillion BTUs, supplied by energy
acquired at an annual cost of around $229 million. If the Department achieves the 30 percent
energy conservation requirement in FY 2015, its energy consumption would be reduced by
nearly 7 trillion BTUs, resulting in a savings of nearly $80 million annually. This equates to the
power necessary to operate nearly 180,000 housing units.
The Department's approach to meeting its EISA requirement has been to rely, to the maximum
extent possible, on its individual sites obtaining third-party financing agreements, known as
Energy Savings Performance Contracts (ESPCs), to fund energy conservation projects. An
ESPC is a financing mechanism in which a private sector energy services company develops and
installs multiple energy efficiency projects in exchange for a share of the future savings over the
contract period.
The Department has emphasized the need for its actions to set the example for energy
conservation in the Federal Government, the Nation's largest energy consumer. Because of the
Department's commitment to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, we
initiated this audit to determine whether the Department had developed an effective approach for
meeting EISA's energy intensity reduction requirement.
The Department of Energy's Weatherization Assistance Program under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for the Capital Area Community Action Agency – Agreed-Upon Procedures
The Department's Implementation of the "Energy Annex, Emergency Support Function 12" to the National Response Framework
As required by the National Response Framework (NRF), the Department of Energy, in
coordination with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), plays an active role in
responding to national-level disasters and emergencies. As described in the "Energy Annex,
Emergency Support Function" (ESF-12) to the NRF, the Department is responsible for serving
as the focal point to assist Federal, state and local governments, and private industry with the
disruption, preparation and mitigation of damaged energy systems and components. Within the
Department, the Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability (OE) executes the national
preparedness mission. This office deploys response teams to affected areas to: 1) facilitate
restoration of damaged energy systems and components; 2) conduct assessments; and, 3) provide
energy status reports. The Department maintains and can dispatch up to 10 regional
coordinators, supplemented by over 80 Federal and contractor employee volunteers, in response
to incidents requiring a coordinated Federal Response.
coordination with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), plays an active role in
responding to national-level disasters and emergencies. As described in the "Energy Annex,
Emergency Support Function" (ESF-12) to the NRF, the Department is responsible for serving
as the focal point to assist Federal, state and local governments, and private industry with the
disruption, preparation and mitigation of damaged energy systems and components. Within the
Department, the Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability (OE) executes the national
preparedness mission. This office deploys response teams to affected areas to: 1) facilitate
restoration of damaged energy systems and components; 2) conduct assessments; and, 3) provide
energy status reports. The Department maintains and can dispatch up to 10 regional
coordinators, supplemented by over 80 Federal and contractor employee volunteers, in response
to incidents requiring a coordinated Federal Response.
Audit Report: IG-0846
Congress passed the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (Energy Policy Act), giving the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission (Commission) jurisdiction to conduct oversight of the bulk power
system, commonly referred to as the bulk electric system or power grid, including the approval
of mandatory cyber security reliability standards. The bulk electric system consists of
approximately 1,600 entities operating at 100 kilovolts or higher. The system does not, however,
include distribution to end-users, as that function remains under the jurisdiction of state public
utility commissions.
Regulatory Commission (Commission) jurisdiction to conduct oversight of the bulk power
system, commonly referred to as the bulk electric system or power grid, including the approval
of mandatory cyber security reliability standards. The bulk electric system consists of
approximately 1,600 entities operating at 100 kilovolts or higher. The system does not, however,
include distribution to end-users, as that function remains under the jurisdiction of state public
utility commissions.
Improvements Needed in the Department's Emergency Preparedness and Continuity of Operations Planning
The Department of Energy's diverse mission is directly related to helping resolve many of the energy, environmental, and nuclear security challenges that face the Nation. As a
consequence, the Department's operations involve dangerous substances such as nuclear and hazardous materials. In this context, the Department must: (i) ensure that it can quickly and effectively respond to emergencies at its facilities; and, (ii) be prepared to maintain or resume mission-related work following an emergency. The National Nuclear
Security Administration (NNSA) has responsibility for developing the Department's overall emergency preparedness and continuity planning policy. Individual Department elements, including NNSA, are responsible for implementing those requirements. Effective emergency preparedness, response, and recovery require coordinated planning and actions by many parties. As part of this overall preparedness strategy, comprehensive Continuity of Operations (COOP) planning ensures that essential
Department, program, and site functions continue during and following a major disruption. An Office of Inspector General report on The Department's Continuity Planning and Emergency Preparedness (DOE/IG-0657, August 2004) found that the Department had not implemented effective continuity of operations and emergency preparedness programs. The Department agreed to correct the problems addressed in the 2004 report.
Because of the significance of the issues involved here, we initiated this audit to determine whether the Department had corrected previously reported problems and implemented an effective and comprehensive emergency preparedness program.
consequence, the Department's operations involve dangerous substances such as nuclear and hazardous materials. In this context, the Department must: (i) ensure that it can quickly and effectively respond to emergencies at its facilities; and, (ii) be prepared to maintain or resume mission-related work following an emergency. The National Nuclear
Security Administration (NNSA) has responsibility for developing the Department's overall emergency preparedness and continuity planning policy. Individual Department elements, including NNSA, are responsible for implementing those requirements. Effective emergency preparedness, response, and recovery require coordinated planning and actions by many parties. As part of this overall preparedness strategy, comprehensive Continuity of Operations (COOP) planning ensures that essential
Department, program, and site functions continue during and following a major disruption. An Office of Inspector General report on The Department's Continuity Planning and Emergency Preparedness (DOE/IG-0657, August 2004) found that the Department had not implemented effective continuity of operations and emergency preparedness programs. The Department agreed to correct the problems addressed in the 2004 report.
Because of the significance of the issues involved here, we initiated this audit to determine whether the Department had corrected previously reported problems and implemented an effective and comprehensive emergency preparedness program.
I am pleased to submit the Office of Inspector General’s combined Fiscal Year 2010 Annual Performance Report and Fiscal Year 2011 Annual Performance Plan. Over the past year, much of our work has centered on oversight of the Department of Energy?...
I am pleased to submit the Office of Inspector General’s
combined Fiscal Year 2010 Annual Performance Report and
Fiscal Year 2011 Annual Performance Plan.
Over the past year, much of our work has centered on oversight
of the Department of Energy’s efforts under the American
Recovery and Investment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act). Under
the Recovery Act, the Department of Energy received just
under $40 billion for various energy, environmental, and
science programs and initiatives. In addition, the Recovery Act
also created the Recovery Accountability and Transparency
Board, in recognition of the need for effective oversight to protect taxpayer’s interest. Under the
statue, the Department of Energy’s Inspector General is a member of the Board.
In line with the spirit of the Recovery Act, our goal is to work with Department management to
maximize efforts to achieve programmatic accountability and transparency. Moving forward, we
plan to continue our focus on helping management achieve the programmatic objectives of the
Recovery Act as they apply to the Department of Energy. We also plan to continue our efforts
in other vital Department sectors, including areas such as environmental remediation, stockpile
stewardship, worker and community safety, cyber security and various aspects of contract and
program management.
My staff and I are committed to the many challenges facing the Department and we look forward
to working with our Department of Energy colleagues in the interest of the American people.
combined Fiscal Year 2010 Annual Performance Report and
Fiscal Year 2011 Annual Performance Plan.
Over the past year, much of our work has centered on oversight
of the Department of Energy’s efforts under the American
Recovery and Investment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act). Under
the Recovery Act, the Department of Energy received just
under $40 billion for various energy, environmental, and
science programs and initiatives. In addition, the Recovery Act
also created the Recovery Accountability and Transparency
Board, in recognition of the need for effective oversight to protect taxpayer’s interest. Under the
statue, the Department of Energy’s Inspector General is a member of the Board.
In line with the spirit of the Recovery Act, our goal is to work with Department management to
maximize efforts to achieve programmatic accountability and transparency. Moving forward, we
plan to continue our focus on helping management achieve the programmatic objectives of the
Recovery Act as they apply to the Department of Energy. We also plan to continue our efforts
in other vital Department sectors, including areas such as environmental remediation, stockpile
stewardship, worker and community safety, cyber security and various aspects of contract and
program management.
My staff and I are committed to the many challenges facing the Department and we look forward
to working with our Department of Energy colleagues in the interest of the American people.