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Role of Program
Evaluation

DOE uses program evaluations to measure
and evaluate the progress of its goals and
objectives, to identify issues, to adjust plans,
and to determine the worthiness of proposed
future efforts. Program evaluations are con-
ducted by DOE for its own benefit and for DOE
by external organizations and groups. One of
the major program evaluations conducted by
DOE is the ongoing evaluation of progress
against the annual Performance Agreements
between the Secretary and the President.
Building upon DOE's April 1994 Strategic
Plan, the Department has been developing,
executing, and evaluating these performance
plans since FY 1995. These efforts have pro-
vided valuable experience in developing
commitments and evaluating the
Department's progress on strategic goals.

In addition to these evaluations, DOE has commissioned program evaluations by "blueribbon" panels. In January 1994, a one-year effort was established to evaluate the Department's laboratory system. The Task Force on Alternative Futures for the Department's National Laboratories, chaired

by Robert Galvin, the Chairman of the Executive Committee of Motorola, Inc., evaluated the laboratory system and proposed ways to reduce their costs of doing business while sustaining their long record of scientific discovery and technological innovation. As a result of the Galvin task force report, the Department established the Laboratory Operations Board to oversee management reforms at the DOE laboratories. This Board has evaluated and recommended changes in the management of the Department's R&D programs, and is evaluating the mechanisms, such as peer review, used to assure quality in the Department's laboratory programs.

Another the Task Force on Strategic group. Energy Research and Development, chaired by Daniel Yergin, president of Cambridge Energy Research Associates, evaluated the Department's $1.8 billion portfolio of applied energy programs. Their June 1995 report also influenced the goal and objectives of the Science and Technology area.

Finally, an advisory committee on external regulation of nuclear facility safety, was headed by John Ahearne, a former chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and by Gerald Scannell, President of the National Safety Council and former Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health. The committee's recommendations have been addressed in the Environmental Quality and Corporate Management areas.

To complement program evaluations conducted by DOE, many external organizations and individuals have provided program evaluations in the form of reviews, critiques, and advice on current and future programs. These organizations include the Office of Management and Budget, White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, Congress, General Accounting Office, Congressional Research Service, Congressional Budget Office,

Strategic Plan

Department of Defense, National Research Council, National Science Foundation, Council on Competitiveness, American Physical Society, Secretary of Energy Advisory Board, Environmental Protection Agency, Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board, Institute for Defense Analysis, Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board, National Academy of Public Administration, and Nuclear Regulatory Commission. In addition to these Federal groups, the Department formally invites and receives evaluations by State and local agencies, Tribal Nations, and local citizens at each of its sites throughout the Nation.

The Department of Energy is used to, and readily accepts, evaluations of its programs

and performance. The evaluations received from all sources were considered in the development of the current strategic plan.

In accordance with the Department's Strategic Management System, program evaluations will continue to be part of the ongoing strategic planning and annual performance planning. Annual program evaluations are scheduled for the Fall of each year. These evaluations will include the review of annual performance plans and performance agreements, the status of delivery of results for the fiscal year. and guidance for development of plans for the next fiscal year. Adjustments to the Strategic Plan will be included in the Annual Perfor

mance Plan submitted with the budget.

Strategic
Plan

APPENDIX A

Statutes and Other Authorities for DOE Objectives

This list is representative of the authorities available to the Department to carry out its activities. ENERGY RESOURCES

Generally Applicable Statutes:

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Department of Energy Organization Act (DOE Act) (42 U.S.C. 7101, et seq.);

Energy Conservation and Production Act (42 U.S.C. 6801, et seq.):

Energy Policy Act of 1992 (Pub. L. No. 102-486, 42 U.S.C. scattered sections);

• Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 6201, et seq.);

• National Energy Conservation Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 8201, et seq.);

Objective 1

Reduce the vulnerability of the U.S. economy to disruptions in energy supplies.

Statutes:

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Chapter 641 of title 10, United States Code (Naval Petroleum Reserves authority);
Energy Policy Act of 1992

§ 303-305 (42 U.S.C. 13212-13214) (alternative fuels for Federal Government use);

§ 405-414 (42 U.S.C. 13231-13239) (alternative fuels for non-Federal use):

- § 501-514 (42 U.S.C. 13251-13264) (replacement fuels, alternative fuels, and alternative fueled private vehicles);

§ 601-626 (42 U.S.C. 13271-13296) (electric motor vehicles);

- § 1203-1205. § 1211-1212 (42 U.S.C. 13312-13314, 13316-13317) (renewable energy);

§ 1301-1341 (42 U.S.C. 13331-13370) (coal):

§ 2001-2028 (42 U.S.C. 13401-13415, 13431-13438) (oil and gas supply enhancement and
demand reduction);

- § 2101-2126 (42 U.S.C. 13451-13495) (energy efficiency, renewable energy, and nuclear
energy):

- § 2101-2203, 2206 (42 U.S.C. 13501-13503, 13506) (energy efficiency and economic

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- § 101-181 (42 U.S.C. 6211-6251) (domestic supply availability, including Strategic Petroleum Reserve authorities);

- § 201-281 (42 U.S.C. 6261-6285) (standby energy authorities and international energy program);

• Federal Power Act, § 202 (16 U.S.C. 824a) (electricity export authority);

• Federal Nonnuclear Energy Research and Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5901-5920) (comprehensive nonnuclear research and development, including coal, oil, and natural gas programs):

• National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1996, title 34 (Pub. L. No. 104-106) (sale of Naval Petroleum Reserve Numbered 1 and study of future of other Naval Petroleum Reserves); • National Energy Conservation Policy Act,

U.S. Department of Energy

- § 521-569 (42 U.S.C. 8241-8259, 8271-8278) (Federal energy initiative):

§ 801-804 (42 U.S.C. 8287-8287c) (energy savings performance contracts):

• Natural Gas Act, §3 (15 U.S.C. 717b) (exportation or importation of natural gas);

• Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978,

§301-304 (15 U.S.C. 3361-3364) (emergency natural gas authority);

§ 401-403 (15 U.S.C. 3391-3393) (natural gas curtailment policies);

• Solar Energy Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5551-5566) (research and development in solar technology):

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Energy Supply and Environmental Coordination Act of 1974 (15 U.S.C. 791-798) (alternative fuels use by electric power plants);

Executive Orders:

• Executive Order 12235 (delegates authority under §§ 302 and 303 of the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978 to the Secretary of Energy);

Objective 2

Ensure that a competitive electricity generation industry is in place that can deliver adequate and affordable supplies with reduced environmental impact.

Statutes:

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• Atomic Energy Act of 1954, § 31 (42 U.S.C. 2051) (research and development relating nuclear processes, atomic energy, and nuclear material);

• DOE Act,

§ 102 (9) and (12) (42 U.S.C. 7112(9). (12)) (purposes of DOE

provision of adequate supply

of energy at lowest reasonable cost and foster competition among parties engaged in the supply of energy)

- § 203 (a) (1) (42 U.S.C. 7133(a)(1)) (assignment of duties related to management of electric power supply);

Energy Policy Act of 1992

§ 303-305 (42 U.S.C. 13212-13214) (alternative fuels for Federal Government use);

- § 405-414 (42 U.S.C. 13231-13239) (alternative fuels for non-Federal use):

- § 501-514 (42 U.S.C. 13251-13264) (replacement fuels, alternative fuels, and alternative fueled private vehicles);

- § 601-626 (42 U.S.C. 13271-13296) (electric motor vehicles);

- § 1203-1205, 1211-1212 (42 U.S.C. 13312-13314, 13316-13317) (renewable energy):

- § 1301-1341 (42 U.S.C. 13331-13370) (coal);

- § 2001-2028 (42 U.S.C. 13401-13415, 13431-13438) (oil and gas supply enhancement and demand reduction);

- § 2101-2126 (42 U.S.C. 13451-13495) (energy efficiency, renewable energy, and nuclear energy):

- § 2101-2203, 2206 (42 U.S.C. 13501-13503, 13506) (energy efficiency and economic productivity);

• Federal Power Act, § 202 (16 U.S.C. 824a) (electricity export authority);

• Federal Nonnuclear Energy Research and Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5901-5920) (comprehensive nonnuclear research and development, including coal, oil, and natural gas programs);

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