Sen. Carper Responds to Agencies’ Plans to Consolidate Data Centers

WASHINGTON – Today, Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, Federal Services, and International Security, released the following statement in reaction to federal agencies’ updated plans to consolidate their data center operations, as called for by President Obama earlier this year. The agencies provided information that includes the number of closures, dates of closures and the amount of money that will be saved at each individual agency. 

“Today’s plans demonstrate that agencies are making progress towards the Administration’s ambitious goal of reducing 800 data centers by 2015,” said Sen. Carper.  “In fact, they’re going beyond that. I’m heartened by Federal Chief Information Officer Steven VanRoekel’s commitment to raise the bar and close even more wasteful data centers in the coming years. I’m also encouraged to see that federal agencies are heeding the President’s call, especially at a time when we’re doing all that we can to get our fiscal house in order. I’m told that agencies have identified over $600 million in planned cost savings over the next four years. Their targets are ambitious, but worthwhile.  Those of us in Congress will be paying close attention to how closely they stick to their plans. While it’s clear that some agencies have more to overcome than others, we need to salute the success stories and push those agencies that have fallen short to work harder. It’s imperative that we keep up this momentum and push forward on this initiative. The American people and our budget situation demand better results. As my Subcommittee monitors the agencies’ path forward, I will continue to work with the Administration and Congress as part of a broader effort to tackle similar wasteful redundancies throughout the federal government.”

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