Pursuit's Take
OIG’s review disclosed that the Department had not always effectively identified and implemented energy-saving opportunities through facility evaluations and electricity metering. Three of the five sites we reviewed (Brookhaven National Laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and Los Alamos National Laboratory) had not always identified or implemented low- and no-cost, quick payback energy conservation measures discovered during facility evaluations. In addition, two of the five sites (Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the Y-12 National Security Complex) had not fully evaluated existing buildings to determine, among other things, whether building systems such as heating and lighting were operating as intended, despite specifically identified savings and recommendations to do so.
OIG conservatively estimates the Department could save approximately $6.6 million annually if it more proactively assesses and repairs building systems through facility evaluations.
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