Justice and Law Enforcement:

Funding for the Innovative Rate Grant Program

B-205053, May 17, 1982

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GAO was asked to determine whether fiscal year (FY) 1981 funds for the Department of Energy's innovative rate grant program had been withheld in violation of federal law; and, if no funds have been made available for the innovative rate program for FY 1982, whether there is currently an unreported impoundment. GAO found no indication of a current unreported impoundment in the appropriation account involved. However, GAO did conclude that there was an unreported impoundment in FY 1981. The funds involved remained unobligated as a result of the agency's decision not to make funds available for certain discretionary grants and cooperative agreements, including the innovative rate program. The funds were not reprogrammed to other projects and, as a result, became unavailable for obligation at the end of FY 1981.