Information Quality

The Department of Energy’s Information Quality Act Guidelines are developed in accordance with Section 515, Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act (Pub.L. 106-554). The law directed the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to issue government-wide guidelines that "provide policy and procedural guidance to Federal Agencies for ensuring and maximizing the quality, objectivity, utility, and integrity of information (including statistical information) disseminated by Federal Agencies." 

OMB guidelines, published in the Federal Register on February 22, 2002 (67 FR 8452), direct agencies to issue their own implementing guidelines that include administrative mechanisms allowing members of the public to seek and obtain correction of information disseminated by the agency that does not comply with OMB or agency guidelines (available at OMB Information Quality Guidelines).  On April 24, 2019, OMB further issued Memorandum M-19-15, Improving Implementation of the Information Quality Act, requiring agencies to update their guidelines to address changes in the information landscape and to incorporate best practices developed over time (available at Improving Implementation of the Information Quality Act).  

OMB Final Bulletin for Peer Review

OMB issued a bulletin applicable to all departments and agencies entitled "Final Information Quality Bulletin for Peer Review." This Bulletin establishes government-wide guidance aimed at enhancing the practice of peer review of government science documents. Peer review is an important procedure used to ensure the quality and credibility of published scientific information. This Bulletin is part of an ongoing effort to improve the quality, objectivity, utility, and integrity of scientific information upon which policy decisions are based. This guidance emphasizes the benefits of meaningful peer review of science disseminated by the Federal Government.

Department of Energy Information Quality Guidelines

The Department of Energy (DOE) develops and disseminates information such as factual inputs, data, analyses, technical information, highly influential scientific assessments, and/or influential scientific information. DOE is committed to ensure the array of information it provides to the public is of the highest quality, thus making Information Quality a priority.

DOE's Information Quality Guidelines are intended to provide guidance to Departmental Elements ( i.e., major DOE offices) on; maximizing the quality, objectivity, utility, and integrity of information (including statistical information) disseminated to the public; establish mechanisms for the public to seek and request administrative correction of disseminated information; and explain how the CIO will comply with OMB’s annual reporting requirement concerning complaints from members of the public. 

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