Washington, DC: Representatives Edward Markey (D-MA), John D. Dingell (D-MI), and Rick Boucher (D-VA) today released a letter asking the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to undertake an investigation into the failure of the Department of Energy (DOE) to comply with statutory deadlines for issuing new or revised energy efficiency standards for a wide range of consumer appliances.

“The DOE is dragging its feet on important standards that save customers millions of dollars and prevent unnecessary energy waste,” said Rep. Markey, who helped author the 1987 and 1992 laws that granted DOE the authority to issue appliance efficiency standards. DOE has recently announced an additional delay of two years or more in setting standards for its three highest priority products.

"I’m curious as to whether the Department is unable or simply unwilling to do its job," said Congressman John D. Dingell, Ranking Member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce. "There is no excuse for missing deadlines by years when lower energy bills and a cleaner environment are at stake."

"The current application of the appliance energy efficiency standards program by the Department of Energy is troubling. It is my hope that our letter to the GAO will spur the necessary reforms in the program so as to promote greater energy conservation and efficiency," said Congressman Boucher, who serves as Ranking Member of the Energy and Air Quality Subcommittee.

The text of the letter sent to the Government Accountability Office is attached.

 Letter Text, March 2, 2005