Lucas and Williams: Lack of Detailed Answers Regarding DOE Program Office Raises Serious Concerns

Press Release

"This massive influx of funding for an entirely new office under an untested and siloed management structure raises serious concerns about DOE's ability to administer and coordinate these projects appropriately. We are concerned that without robust guidelines and procedures in place to ensure coordination of these activities, longstanding Department initiatives and taxpayer dollars will be at risk.

While the Department's response to this letter included some substantive answers to the committee's questions, it addressed this important area of concern by stating simply that OCED collaborates with relevant program offices through various methods like working groups, integrated program teams, and informal information sharing. This vague assurance does not address the nature of our question regarding plans for coordination under this new structure. Given the complexity and importance of these program activities, as well as the significant increase in taxpayer dollars at stake, the Committee requires more specific and updated information related to these efforts."

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...there is a high likelihood that the Department's organizational structure could create bureaucratic hurdles that will delay progress in developing and deploying critical energy technologies."

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