House passes Rep. Obernolte’s bipartisan bill to increase DOE transparency and accountability

WASHINGTON – Rep. Jay Obernolte’s (R-Hesperia) Cost-Share Accountability Act, aimed at improving transparency and government accountability within the Department of Energy, has passed the House of Representatives by a bipartisan vote of 405-0.  

The Cost-Share Accountability Act requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to submit public quarterly reports on the use of its authority to reduce or waive statutory cost-sharing requirements when awarding grant funding.

"The federal government has a responsibility to be a good steward of taxpayer dollars,” said Rep. Jay Obernolte. “The Cost-Share Accountability Act ensures greater transparency in how the Department of Energy administers grant cost-sharing requirements, helping Congress and the public hold our institutions accountable. I’m proud to see this commonsense, bipartisan measure pass the House."

“For Congress to fulfill our oversight responsibilities, we must be able to access information on how our departments and agencies are operating,” said Rep. Foster. “Cost-sharing requirements help protect the use of federal funds at the Department of Energy. As the department continues their next-generation research and development, it's critical Congress understands how cost-sharing is implemented in support of their projects.”

This legislation not only increases accountability for the DOE’s federally funded projects but also ensures greater transparency and fairness in the DOE’s awards process, while improving stewardship of taxpayer dollars.

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