A Department of Energy Inspector General report finds that Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant recipients have spent only 8.4 percent of the $3.2 billion authorized for the program. The delays was reported to have been due to administrative support for the program – until May 2010, only two DOE employees were working on the program. Part of the blame, from the Inspector Generals’ Report, falls on Department personnel not being accustomed to implementing Davis Bacon provisions to individual projects.
DOE officials now report, however, that they have established a sizable enough workforce to able to workload. DOE Staff have turned to a team and cross-training approach comprised of project managers contracting officers, and contract specialists. They have also implemented a monitoring system to ensure that projects are developed efficiently. We will continue to monitor this issue of vital importance to the SMWIA membership.