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![handle is hein.gao/gaobaawhf0001 and id is 1 raw text is: DOCUMENT RESUME
04255 - [B3334564]
[Concerns regarding Report on the Solar Energy Research
Institute]. EMD-78-20; B-186105. NcoveQ.,er 25, 1977. 3 pp. + 2
enclosures (9 pp.).
Report to Rep. Timothy E. Wirth; Sen. Floyd K. Haskell; Sen.
Gary W. Hart; by Elmer B. Staats, Comptroller General.
Issue Araa: Energy: Executive Branch Organization and Processes
for Dealing with Energy Problems (1611); Science ar.d
Technology: Federal Laboratories and Federally Supported
Oigenizations Performing ,asearch and Developm.nt (2003).
Contact: Energy and Minerals Div.
Budget Function: Natural .esources, Environment, and Energy:
Energy (305).
Organizaticn Concerned: Department of Energy: Solar Energy
Research Inst. ; Eni'igy Pesearch and Development
Auiministration.
Congressional Relevance: Rep. Timothy E. Wirth; Sen. Floyd K.
'askell; Sen. Gary V. Hart.
Aathority: Solarz Heating and Cooling Denonstration Act of 1974
(P L. 93-409).
GAO's September 9, 1977 report on the Solar Energy
Research Institute (SERI) was based on information obtained from
(-ontinuing reviews of Federal solar energy resedrch and
development efforts. Research specifically related to the
authorization and creation of SERI began in April 1977 after the
Energy Research and Development Administration (ERDA) announced
the selection of a contractor for SERI. Disagreements were
expressed relating to findings and conclusions in this report.
Findings/Conclusions: Clarifications were offered on the
following questions raised about the report: (1) It inaccurately
asserts that a certain amendment was adopted by the Senate
during deliberations on the ERDA authorization bill. GAO did not
make this assertion, but stated that a bill scheduled to be
introduced ini the House was similar to one adopted by the
Sen? te. (2) it suggests that the nced for SERI has been
eliminate' through consolidation of Federal sclar energy
efforts. At the present time, such efforts are fragmented. (3)
GAO failed to recognize the congressional commitment .o SERI by
assertin that many of its pro'ected functions could be
performed it existing laboratories. Because of the time iapse
since SERI's authorization, placing it at an existing laboratory
could have hastened ics operation. (4| Existing Federal
hboritories are not geared to perform certain functions.
ultiprogram laboratories not only have capabilities that cou.d
be built upon, but many laboratories have viable ongoing solar
energy efforts. (5)Undefined factors do not limit SERE's
impartance. Tho importance of SERI's purposes were not
questioned, but its need should be reexamined. (HTW)](ViewImageLocal?handle=hein.gao/gaobaawhf0001&div=1&collection=&method=preview&ext=.png&size=3)