Analysis of Federal Energy Roles and Structure
EMD-82-21: Published: Jan 20, 1982. Publicly Released: Jan 26, 1982.
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Numerous questions have been raised about the Department of Energy's (DOE) management and the effectiveness of its operations leading the Administration to announce its intention to dismantle the Department and transfer its functions to other Federal agencies. Congressional concern over decentralization of the DOE responsibilities prompted a request for GAO to provide its views on: (1) recent energy trends and problems, and the evolution of Federal energy-related agencies; (2) the extent to which the Federal Government should be involved in various aspects of energy policy and programs; and (3) the Federal Government's organizational structure for dealing with the energy problem.
GAO believes that energy is a serious, long-term problem with important implications for the Nation's security. Although the U.S. energy posture has improved somewhat over the last few years, progress has been difficult to achieve due to a dependence on expensive and unreliable oil imports. Progress in this area will depend on a coordinated approach designed to effect long- term solutions which reduce U.S. reliance on these insecure sources of imported oil. GAO found that reducing Federal regulations over energy responsibilities is a worthy goal and can help ameliorate the energy problems. However, there is a continuing need for a strong Federal role in key areas such as advancing energy supply technologies and emergency energy preparedness. GAO identified three broad options for managing Federal programs: (1) the functions of DOE could be decentralized; (2) DOE could be maintained essentially as is, but reduced to a sub-Cabinet agency; and (3) energy activities could retain their Cabinet-level status, either by leaving DOE as is or merging its activities into an existing department. GAO concluded that moving to disperse DOE activities at this time might fragment programs and relationships that have been developed over the past few years and that a period of stability might finally permit the agency to devote adequate attention to organization and management.
Feb 24, 2021
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Pregnant Women in DOJ Custody:
U.S. Marshals Service and Bureau of Prisons Should Better Align Policies with National GuidelinesGAO-21-147: Published: Jan 25, 2021. Publicly Released: Feb 24, 2021.
Oct 26, 2020
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Intellectual Property:
CBP Has Taken Steps to Combat Counterfeit Goods in Small Packages but Could Streamline EnforcementGAO-20-692: Published: Sep 24, 2020. Publicly Released: Oct 26, 2020.
Sep 30, 2020
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Federal Criminal Restitution:
Department of Justice Has Ongoing Efforts to Improve Its Oversight of the Collection of Restitution and Tracking the Use of Forfeited AssetsGAO-20-676R: Published: Sep 30, 2020. Publicly Released: Sep 30, 2020.
Sep 10, 2020
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Federal Tactical Teams:
Characteristics, Training, Deployments, and InventoryGAO-20-710: Published: Sep 10, 2020. Publicly Released: Sep 10, 2020.
Sep 8, 2020
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VA Police:
Actions Needed to Improve Data Completeness and Accuracy on Use of Force Incidents at Medical CentersGAO-20-599: Published: Sep 8, 2020. Publicly Released: Sep 8, 2020.
Aug 13, 2020
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Anti-Money Laundering:
FinCEN Should Enhance Procedures for Implementing and Evaluating Geographic Targeting OrdersGAO-20-546: Published: Jul 14, 2020. Publicly Released: Aug 13, 2020.
Jul 29, 2020
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Federal Prison Industries:
Actions Needed to Evaluate Program EffectivenessGAO-20-505: Published: Jul 29, 2020. Publicly Released: Jul 29, 2020.
Jul 8, 2020
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Gun Control:
DOJ Can Further Improve Guidance on Federal Firearm Background Check RecordsGAO-20-528: Published: Jul 8, 2020. Publicly Released: Jul 8, 2020.
Jun 22, 2020
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Federal Prisons:
Additional Analysis Needed to Determine Whether to Issue Pepper Spray to Minimum Security PrisonsGAO-20-342: Published: Jun 22, 2020. Publicly Released: Jun 22, 2020.
May 26, 2020
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Bureau of Prisons:
Improved Planning Would Help BOP Evaluate and Manage Its Portfolio of Drug Education and Treatment ProgramsGAO-20-423: Published: May 26, 2020. Publicly Released: May 26, 2020.
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