GAO says no to EV charging stations at the Capitol

GAO says no to EV charging stations at the Capitol

The federal government is required to cut its greenhouse gas emissions 28 percent over the next decade, but letting electric vehicles recharge at the U.S. Capitol complex wont be part of that effort. The reason: red tape.

The matter came to light when earlier this year the architect of the Capitol (AOC) proposed installing battery recharging stations on the Capitol grounds for privately owned hybrid or electric vehicles, and a program where employees — or members of Congress — would reimburse the AOC for the costs of the electricity they use. But the Government Accountability Office, in an opinion issued last week, rejected both ideas.

“The use of appropriations for recharging personal vehicles is a matter for Congress to address through legislation,” the GAO stated in its Sept. 15 opinion.

The GAO said there was no law that “specifically authorizes the use of appropriated funds” for installing recharging stations, nor a law that would allow the AOC to recover the costs by charging a fee. It went on to say the charging stations would also be akin to providing fuel for personal vehicles, which isnt permitted by law.

“We have consistently held that even where providing a personal benefit or item to an employee fulfills a laudable objective, appropriated funds may not be used unless the expenditure is necessary to achieve an authorized purpose,” the GAO opined.