Research and Development: DOE Could Enhance the Project Selection Process for Government Oil and Natural Gas Research

[摘要] A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "Although competitive oil and natural gas markets generally provide incentives for companies to invest in research and development (R&D), some industry experts believe these companies may underinvest in certain areas. A recent GAO report noted important criteria for the Department of Energy (DOE) to consider in evaluating its oil and natural gas R&D efforts--including the likelihood that industry would perform the research without federal funding. The Office of Management and Budget has raised similar concerns. In this context, GAO was asked to review (1) how much U.S. industry has invested in oil and natural gas R&D over the last 10 years, and the current focus of these activities; (2) how DOE's oil and natural gas R&D funding and activities compare with industry's; and (3) to what extent DOE ensures that its oil and natural gas R&D would not occur without federal funding. GAO reviewed DOE and U.S. industry data for oil and natural gas R&D spending, and interviewed DOE officials and representatives from various segments of the industry."

[发布日期] 2008-12-29 [发布机构] United States. Government Accountability Office.

[关键词] Government accountability -- United States.;science and technology;research and development;letter report