Energy R&D:
Changes in Federal Funding Criteria and Industry Response
RCED-87-26: Published: Feb 9, 1987. Publicly Released: Feb 11, 1987.
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In response to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the Department of Energy's (DOE) research and development (R&D) policy of emphasizing long-term, high-risk, high-payoff technologies, to determine whether: (1) DOE fairly applied the policy across the board; and (2) industry has undertaken energy R&D as a result of this policy.
GAO found that: (1) DOE has generally applied its R&D policy consistently, reorienting most R&D activities toward the early stages of the innovation process; (2) the civilian nuclear reactor R&D budget has been an exception, with DOE support for these technologies insulating them from major reductions; and (3) civilian reactor programs sustained substantial reductions at the beginning of fiscal year 1984 for other considerations, such as safety issues and the need to satisfy certain military objectives, as well as the long-term, high-risk, high-payoff criteria. GAO also found that: (1) there is little indication that the private sector has compensated for cutbacks in DOE R&D; (2) market factors have generally reduced the potential profitability of technology development; (3) many of the activities DOE curtailed involved large-scale activities too risky to finance without government support; and (4) reduced DOE and industry support for energy R&D has delayed U.S. technology development.
Nov 17, 2020
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Puerto Rico Electricity:
FEMA and HUD Have Not Approved Long-Term Projects and Need to Implement Recommendations to Address Uncertainties and Enhance ResilienceGAO-21-54: Published: Nov 17, 2020. Publicly Released: Nov 17, 2020.
Jul 16, 2020
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Targeting Federal Funds:
Information on Funding to Areas with Persistent or High PovertyGAO-20-518: Published: Jul 16, 2020. Publicly Released: Jul 16, 2020.
Jun 25, 2020
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National Flood Insurance Program:
Fiscal Exposure Persists Despite Property AcquisitionsGAO-20-508: Published: Jun 25, 2020. Publicly Released: Jun 25, 2020.
Jun 11, 2020
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American Samoa:
Economic Trends, Status of the Tuna Canning Industry, and Stakeholders' Views on Minimum Wage IncreasesGAO-20-467: Published: Jun 11, 2020. Publicly Released: Jun 11, 2020.
Apr 28, 2020
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Priority Open Recommendations:
Small Business AdministrationGAO-20-501PR: Published: Apr 21, 2020. Publicly Released: Apr 28, 2020.
Mar 9, 2020
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La Agencia Federal para el Desarrollo de la Pequeña Empresa:
el Procesamiento de Préstamos para Desastres Fue Más Puntual, Pero Mejoramientos en la Planificación y la Evaluación del Programa Piloto son NecesariosGAO-20-369: Published: Feb 7, 2020. Publicly Released: Mar 9, 2020. -
Small Business Administration:
Disaster Loan Processing Was Timelier, but Planning Improvements and Pilot Program Evaluation NeededGAO-20-168: Published: Feb 7, 2020. Publicly Released: Mar 9, 2020.
Jan 28, 2020
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Innovative Technologies in Manufacturing:
Commerce Has Stopped Efforts to Implement Loan Guarantee ProgramGAO-20-326R: Published: Jan 28, 2020. Publicly Released: Jan 28, 2020.
Oct 8, 2019
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Puerto Rico Electricity Grid Recovery:
Better Information and Enhanced Coordination Is Needed to Address ChallengesGAO-20-141: Published: Oct 8, 2019. Publicly Released: Oct 8, 2019. -
Recuperación De La Red Eléctrica En Puerto Rico:
Se Necesita Mejor Información y Coordinación para Enfrentar DesafíosGAO-20-143: Published: Oct 8, 2019. Publicly Released: Oct 8, 2019.
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