Department of Energy: Framework Is Needed to Reevaluate Its Role and Missions

GAO discussed the Department of Energy's (DOE) missions and priorities, focusing on proposals to abolish DOE. GAO noted that: (1) DOE missions and roles have changed dramatically since 1977 when DOE was created to respond to the nation's energy crisis; (2) energy research, conservation, and policy-making priorities have been overshadowed by weapons production, environmental cleanup, and science and industrial missions; (3) DOE and the National Academy of Public Administration have developed criteria to systematically evaluate DOE missions and to determine if DOE should remain a cabinet-level department; (4) any proposal to dismantle DOE should be considered as part of an overall governmentwide restructuring effort; and (5) transferring DOE missions to other agencies would require careful consideration of many policy and management issues.