DOE's Carryover Balances and Fiscal Year 1997 Budget

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO provided information on the carryover budget balances held by the Department of Energy (DOE), focusing on whether those balances can be used to offset the DOE fiscal year (FY) 1997 budget request. GAO noted that: (1) six major DOE programs will have $3.6 billion in carryover balances at the beginning of FY 1997; (2) DOE could have at least $2.1 billion in operating activity and capital equipment procurement carryover balances to offset its FY 1997 budget request; (3) DOE could carryover $73.5 million in construction funds to offset its FY 1997 budget request; and (4) DOE is unable to determine whether an additional $106 million in construction funds is available to offset its FY 1997 budget request.