Surplus Buildings Drain $1.6 Billion from Federal Budget

摘要

Approximately 45,000 excess and underutilized federal buildings cost nearly $1.6 billion to operate and maintain every year, according to a new report from the National Research Council, an independent nonprofit research institution focusing on science, engineering, technology, and health. Of the 429,000 buildings and 482,000 structures of other types (such as bridges, utility systems, and other infrastructure) in the federal government's portfolio, more than half are at least 50 years old, according to the report. About $47 billion is budgeted annually for operating costs, but maintenance and repairs have been inadequate for years, leading to tens of billions of dollars in deferred projects.