SECTION 381 OF THE ENERGY POLICY AND CONSERVATION ACT (EPCA) (PUBLIC LAW 94-163) REQUIRES THAT THE DOE DEVELOP SUCH STANDARDS AS PART OF THE 10-YEAR PLAN FOR ENERGY CONSERVATION IN FEDERAL BUILDINGS. DUE TO TECHNICAL PROBLEMS, DOE HAS BEEN UNABLE TO DEVELOP A LIGHTING EFFICIENCY STANDARD WHICH TAKES INTO ACCOUNT FACTORS SUCH AS NONUNIFORM LIGHTING LEVELS, LAMP EFFICIENCY, LIGHTING CONTROLS, AND NATURAL LIGHT. DOE STAFF CURRENTLY BELIEVE THAT A MORE REALISTIC APPROACH FOR DETERMINING THE MOST EFFICIENT WAY TO PROVIDE A BUILDING'S ENERGY LIGHTING NEEDS IS TO CONSIDER BUILDING LIGHTING REQUIREMENTS IN CONJUNCTION WITH ALL ASPECTS OF BUILDING DESIGN. CURRENTLY, LIGHTING EFFICIENCY IS THE DESIRED LEVEL OF LIGHT DIVIDED BY REQUIRED ELECTRICAL POWER. DOE IS PROCEEDING WITH ITS ASSESSMENT OF THE THERMAL EFFCIENCY OF BUILDINGS ALONG TWO PATHS: FOCUSING ON NEW BUILDINGS AND FOCUSING ON EXISTING BUILDINGS. HOWEVER, ACCORDING TO GAO, DOE'S EFFORTS IN THIS AREA DO NOT FULFILL THE LEGISLATIVE REQUIREMENT TO ESTABLISH THERMAL EFFICIENCY STANDRDS SINCE THEY WILL NOT RESULT IN A STANDARD TO GOVERN THE THERMAL INTEGRITY OF BUILDINGS. FOOTNOTES ARE INCLUDED. (PRG)