The Energy Conservation Program for Schools and Hospitals Can Be More Effective
EMD-81-47
Published: Mar 23, 1981. Publicly Released: Mar 23, 1981.
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Highlights
Schools and hospitals are major consumers of energy, and a substantial potential exists for them to reduce their energy consumption and costs through a variety of energy conservation actions. The Schools and Hospitals Program was established by the National Energy Conservation Policy Act as a matching grant program to assist schools and hospitals in reducing their energy consumption. Funding of almost $1 billion was authorized for the program, which is operated by the Department of Energy (DOE).
Recommendations
Matter for Congressional Consideration
| Matter | Status | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Congress should adjust the Program to provide funding for additional energy audits so that they are available to all institutions which want and could benefit from them. | Congress did not provide funding for more energy audits. The program ahs been proposed for termination. Time has overtaken this recommendation. |
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Energy | The Secretary of Energy should assess the Schools and Hospitals Program on a continuous basis. |
This program has been proposed for termination. While DOE did undertake some evaluation work, it was not of a continuing nature and, therefore, techinically not in compliance with the recommendation. Given the current status of the program, this is a moot issue.
|
| Department of Energy | The Secretary of Energy should promptly fill key positions in the Schools and Hospitals Program on a permanent basis. |
Staffing ceased to be an issue after the agency underwent two reductions-in-force. The program has been proposed for termination.
|
| Department of Energy | The Secretary of Energy should provide Congress the results of the DOE ongoing study of alternatives to the 50 percent cost sharing arrangement for phase II grants. |
Since the program has been proposed for termination, this recommendation is no longer valid.
|
| Department of Energy | The Secretary of Energy should provide information on how many institutions could benefit from energy audits and how much funding will be required to provide them. |
DOE agreed that there was substantial potential for energy audits. Now that the program has been proposed for termination, this issue is irrevelant.
|
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Topics
Cost analysisEnergy conservationEnergy consumptionFederal grantsHospitalsProgram evaluationProgram managementSchoolsConservation programsEnergy audits