The Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)
provides grants to states, territories, and the District of Columbia to support their energy
priorities through the State Energy Program (SEP). The SEP provides Federal financial
assistance to carry out energy efficiency and renewable energy projects that meet each state's
unique energy needs while also addressing national goals such as energy security. Federal
funding is based on a grant formula that takes into account population and energy consumption.
The SEP emphasizes the state's role as the decision maker and administrator for the program.
provides grants to states, territories, and the District of Columbia to support their energy
priorities through the State Energy Program (SEP). The SEP provides Federal financial
assistance to carry out energy efficiency and renewable energy projects that meet each state's
unique energy needs while also addressing national goals such as energy security. Federal
funding is based on a grant formula that takes into account population and energy consumption.
The SEP emphasizes the state's role as the decision maker and administrator for the program.
Management Controls over the Commonwealth of Virginia's Efforts to Implement the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Weatherization Assistance Program
The Department of Energy's (Department) Weatherization Assistance Program received $5 billion
under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act) to improve the
energy efficiency of homes, multi-family rental units and mobile homes owned or occupied by
low-income persons. Subsequently, the Department awarded a three-year Weatherization
Assistance Program grant for $94 million to the Commonwealth of Virginia (Virginia). This
grant provided more than a ten-fold increase in funds available to Virginia for weatherization over
that authorized in Fiscal Year (FY) 2009. Corresponding to the increase in funding, the Recovery
Act increased the limit on the average amount spent to weatherize a home (unit) from $2,500 to
$6,500.
under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act) to improve the
energy efficiency of homes, multi-family rental units and mobile homes owned or occupied by
low-income persons. Subsequently, the Department awarded a three-year Weatherization
Assistance Program grant for $94 million to the Commonwealth of Virginia (Virginia). This
grant provided more than a ten-fold increase in funds available to Virginia for weatherization over
that authorized in Fiscal Year (FY) 2009. Corresponding to the increase in funding, the Recovery
Act increased the limit on the average amount spent to weatherize a home (unit) from $2,500 to
$6,500.
Waste Processing and Recovery Act Acceleration Efforts for Contact-Handled Transuranic Waste at the Hanford Site
The Department of Energy's Office of Environmental Management's (EM), Richland Operations Office (Richland), is responsible for disposing of the Hanford Site's (Hanford) transuranic (TRU) waste, including nearly 12,000 cubic meters of radioactive contact-handled TRU wastes. Prior to disposing of this waste at the Department's Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP), Richland must certify that it meets WIPP's waste acceptance criteria. To be certified, the waste must be characterized, screened for prohibited items, treated (if necessary) and placed into a satisfactory disposal container.
In a February 2008 amendment to an existing Record of Decision (Decision), the Department announced its plan to ship up to 8,764 cubic meters of contact-handled TRU waste from Hanford and other waste generator sites to the Advanced Mixed Waste Treatment Project (AMWTP) at Idaho's National Laboratory (INL) for processing and certification prior to disposal at WIPP. The Department decided to maximize the use of the AMWTP's automated waste processing capabilities to compact and, thereby, reduce the volume of contact-handled TRU waste. Compaction reduces the number of shipments and permits WIPP to more efficiently use its limited TRU waste disposal capacity. The Decision noted that the use of AMWTP would avoid the time and expense of establishing a processing capability at other sites.
In a February 2008 amendment to an existing Record of Decision (Decision), the Department announced its plan to ship up to 8,764 cubic meters of contact-handled TRU waste from Hanford and other waste generator sites to the Advanced Mixed Waste Treatment Project (AMWTP) at Idaho's National Laboratory (INL) for processing and certification prior to disposal at WIPP. The Department decided to maximize the use of the AMWTP's automated waste processing capabilities to compact and, thereby, reduce the volume of contact-handled TRU waste. Compaction reduces the number of shipments and permits WIPP to more efficiently use its limited TRU waste disposal capacity. The Decision noted that the use of AMWTP would avoid the time and expense of establishing a processing capability at other sites.
Alleged Procurement Irregularities Relating to the Clean CoalPower Initiative Gilberton Coal-to-Clean Fuels and Power Project
On December 30,2009, Congressman Tim Holden wrote to the Office of Inspector General regarding alleged procurement irregularities concerning the Gilberton Coal-to-Clean Fuels Project. The letter was the culmination of a meeting and several telephonic discussions on this subject which Congressman Holden's staff initiated. Participation included congressional staff, senior representatives of WMPI PTY., LLC. (WMPI) - the lead entity
in the Gilberton Project - and, the Office of Inspector General. In summary, as related in Congressman Holden's letter, WMPI claimed that a
March 28,2008, meeting between Department of Energy officials and a Washington lobbying firm representing Sasol Synfuels International (Proprietary) Limited (Sasol) was the impetus for effectively terminating the Gilberton Project through the reprogramming of the Department's $100 million contribution to the Project. The implication was that the Department used the March meeting to directly or indirectly encourage Sasol to withdraw its support for Gilberton. Sasol was a key participant in the Project proposal, providing technology which, we were told, was essential to its success. The respective roles of the parties were outlined in a 2005 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between WMPI and Sasol.
in the Gilberton Project - and, the Office of Inspector General. In summary, as related in Congressman Holden's letter, WMPI claimed that a
March 28,2008, meeting between Department of Energy officials and a Washington lobbying firm representing Sasol Synfuels International (Proprietary) Limited (Sasol) was the impetus for effectively terminating the Gilberton Project through the reprogramming of the Department's $100 million contribution to the Project. The implication was that the Department used the March meeting to directly or indirectly encourage Sasol to withdraw its support for Gilberton. Sasol was a key participant in the Project proposal, providing technology which, we were told, was essential to its success. The respective roles of the parties were outlined in a 2005 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between WMPI and Sasol.
Management Controls over the Department of Energy’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act – Louisiana State Energy Program
The Department of Energy's (Department) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
(EERE) provides grants to states, territories and the District of Columbia (states) to support their
energy priorities through the State Energy Program (SEP). Federal funding is based on a grant
formula that considers the population and energy consumption in each state, and amounted to
$25 million for Fiscal Year (FY) 2009. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
(Recovery Act) expanded the SEP by authorizing an additional $3.1 billion to states using the
existing grant formula. EERE made grant awards to states after reviewing plans that summarize
the activities states will undertake to achieve SEP Recovery Act objectives, including preserving
and creating jobs; saving energy; increasing renewable energy sources; and, reducing greenhouse
gas emissions. EERE program guidance emphasizes that states are responsible for administering
SEP within each state, and requires each state to implement internal controls over the use of
Recovery Act funds.
(EERE) provides grants to states, territories and the District of Columbia (states) to support their
energy priorities through the State Energy Program (SEP). Federal funding is based on a grant
formula that considers the population and energy consumption in each state, and amounted to
$25 million for Fiscal Year (FY) 2009. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
(Recovery Act) expanded the SEP by authorizing an additional $3.1 billion to states using the
existing grant formula. EERE made grant awards to states after reviewing plans that summarize
the activities states will undertake to achieve SEP Recovery Act objectives, including preserving
and creating jobs; saving energy; increasing renewable energy sources; and, reducing greenhouse
gas emissions. EERE program guidance emphasizes that states are responsible for administering
SEP within each state, and requires each state to implement internal controls over the use of
Recovery Act funds.
The Interim Treatment of Salt Waste at the Savannah River Site