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Audit Finds Efficiency Funds Go Unspent

Government audit finds that most of the money authorized for one of the energy efficiency programs in last year's stimulus plan is going unspent.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- A government audit finds that most of the money authorized for one of the energy efficiency programs in last year's stimulus plan is going unspent.

The Energy Department's inspector general said Friday that grant recipients have spent just 8.4 percent of the $3.2 billion authorized to help state and local governments become more energy efficient.

Inspector General Gregory H. Friedman says the department didn't have the resources or staff in place to get the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program going last year.

But department spokesman Stephanie Mueller says the program has gained steam in recent months.

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