Davis also said committee majority’s concerns about a proposed funding reduction to the Federal Energy Management Program are unfounded because they reflect improved efficiencies as well as the program’s primary function, which is to provide tools and guidance for achieving mandated energy reductions, as opposed to regulation.
The proposed reduction, while less than one percent in fiscal 2008, is part of an inflation-adjusted 37 percent reduction since 2002, the majority said, noting that the agency will be taking on the responsibilities held formerly by the Offices of FreedomCAR, Vehicle Technologies, and Building Technologies.
It said the Administration has not demonstrated that FEMP can achieve its mission even when funded at the current level.
Davis said the program is already either providing or developing guidance and tools for agencies to follow an executive order issued in January to increase their focus on environmental, transportation and energy-related aspects of agency activities.
Further, while the order calls for increased energy efficiency, Davis argued, that does not specifically affect FEMP because FEMP is not responsible for regulating or funding these increases.
