The nonbusiness energy property credit is one of a number of federal initiatives that seek to address concerns about U.S. reliance on foreign energy sources and the impact of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions on the climate. Enacted as part of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the nonbusiness energy … Read more about GAO: Energy Conservation and Climate Change: Factors to Consider in the Design of the Nonbusiness Energy Property Credit
GAO: Tobacco Taxes: Large Disparities in Rates for Smoking Products Trigger Significant Market Shifts to Avoid Higher Taxes
In 2009, CHIPRA increased and equalized federal excise tax rates for cigarettes, roll-your-own tobacco, and small cigars. Though CHIPRA also increased federal excise tax rates for pipe tobacco and large cigars, it raised the pipe tobacco tax to a rate significantly below the equalized rate for the … Read more about GAO: Tobacco Taxes: Large Disparities in Rates for Smoking Products Trigger Significant Market Shifts to Avoid Higher Taxes
DOE OIG: Questioned, Unresolved, and Potentially Unallowable Costs Incurred by Los Alamos National Laboratory during Fiscal Years 2008 and 2009
Since June 2006, Los Alamos National Security, LLC, has operated the Los Alamos National Laboratory (Los Alamos) for the Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). Los Alamos incurred and claimed costs of $1.8 billion in Fiscal Year (FY) 2008 and $1.9 billion in FY … Read more about DOE OIG: Questioned, Unresolved, and Potentially Unallowable Costs Incurred by Los Alamos National Laboratory during Fiscal Years 2008 and 2009
DOC OIG: 2020 Census Planning: Delays with 2010 Census Research Studies May Adversely Impact the 2020 Decennial Census
The Census Bureau recognizes that it must fundamentally change its decennial design to improve the enumeration quality of the 2020 Census and contain life cycle costs within its preliminary estimates of $12.8–18 billion. Our review of select early 2020 Census planning efforts found that … Read more about DOC OIG: 2020 Census Planning: Delays with 2010 Census Research Studies May Adversely Impact the 2020 Decennial Census
GAO: DOE LOAN GUARANTEES: Further Actions Are Needed to Improve Tracking and Review of Applications
The Department of Energy’s (DOE) Loan Guarantee Program (LGP) was created by section 1703 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to guarantee loans for innovative energy projects. Currently, DOE is authorized to make up to $34 billion in section 1703 loan guarantees. In February 2009, the American … Read more about GAO: DOE LOAN GUARANTEES: Further Actions Are Needed to Improve Tracking and Review of Applications
GAO: FEDERAL ADVISORY GROUPS: DOT and DOE Can Take Steps to Better Assess Duplication Risk and Enhance Usefulness
Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) and Department of Transportation (DOT) and Department of Energy (DOE) guidance require officials to check for duplication prior to filing a charter to establish a new or renew an existing FACA advisory group. However, GAO found that … Read more about GAO: FEDERAL ADVISORY GROUPS: DOT and DOE Can Take Steps to Better Assess Duplication Risk and Enhance Usefulness
GAO: DHS Needs Better Project Information and Coordination among Four Overlapping Grant Programs
Multiple factors contribute to the risk of duplication among four FEMA grant programs that GAO studiedthe State Homeland Security Program (SHSP), Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI), Port Security Grant Program, and Transit Security Grant Program. … Read more about GAO: DHS Needs Better Project Information and Coordination among Four Overlapping Grant Programs
GAO: Crop Insurance: Savings Would Result from Program Changes and Greater Use of Data Mining
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) administers the federal crop insurance program with private insurance companies. In 2011, the program provided about $113 billion in insurance coverage for over 1 million policies. Program costs include subsidies to pay for part of farmers’ premiums. … Read more about GAO: Crop Insurance: Savings Would Result from Program Changes and Greater Use of Data Mining