Purpose

To determine whether Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) officials have been effectively managing their agency's energy consumption. The audit covers the period April 1, 2006 to January 31, 2012.

Background

Executive Order No. 111 (EO 111) issued on June 10, 2001, directs State agencies and public authorities to be more energy efficient and environmentally proactive. It requires them to reduce, by December 31, 2010, their respective energy consumption in all buildings by 35 percent relative to 1990 (or alternate base year) levels, and to establish agency-wide reduction targets and associated schedules to reach this goal.

Key Findings

• We found that OCFS officials are not effectively managing their energy consumption and, as of March 31, 2010, have not achieved the reduction goals set forth in EO 111.
• Had officials met the energy reduction goals stipulated in EO 111, we estimate OCFS could have saved approximately $930,000 in energy costs for 2010.

Key Recommendations

• Develop and implement a plan to reduce energy consumption.
• Retain energy usage data for all OCFS facilities so reduction achievements can be measured accurately.

Other Related Audits/Reports of Interest

Office of Mental Health: Compliance With Executive Order 111 Purchase of Renewable Energy (2008-S-80)
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority: Compliance With Executive Order 111 Requirements to Purchase Power From Renewable Sources (2008-S-74)