PBS’s Pacific Rim Region Grossly Mismanaged the Battery Energy Storage Systems at the Glenn M. Anderson Federal Building and the Ronald Reagan Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse, Resulting in Health and Safety Issues

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Date Issued

Wednesday, August 20, 2025

Submitting OIG

General Services Administration OIG

Agencies Reviewed/Investigated

General Services Administration

Report Number

A230079P4R25005

Report Type

Audit

Agency Wide

Yes

Number of Recommendations

Questioned Costs

Funds for Better Use

Report updated under NDAA 5274

Open Recommendations

This report has 5 open recommendations.

Recommendation Number	Significant Recommendation	Recommended Questioned Costs	Recommended Funds for Better Use
1	Yes	$0	$0
We recommend that the PBS Commissioner institute policies and procedures to ensure battery systems are designed, installed, operated, and maintained in accordance with federal regulations, PBS policy, and building code requirements.
2	Yes	$0	$0
We recommend that the PBS Commissioner institute policies and procedures to ensure training requirements are designed and implemented for PBS and PBS contractor personnel working with battery systems and associated technologies.
3	Yes	$0	$0
We recommend that the PBS Commissioner institute policies and procedures to ensure appropriate action is taken to address PBS personnel performance deficiencies identified in this report, including supervisory chains of command and individuals responsible for managing the battery systems.
4	Yes	$0	$0
We recommend that the PBS Regional Commissioner of the Pacific Rim Region take immediate action to safeguard the occupants and assets in the Anderson and Reagan Buildings by: (1)verifying that the ESCO removed the batteries and any other hazards from both the Anderson and Reagan Buildings using only qualified personnel; and, (2) obtaining the complete third-party investigation report into the cause of the battery system fire at the Anderson Building. Upon receipt, ensuring any remaining health and safety hazards listed in the report are addressed or mitigated.
5	Yes	$0	$0
We recommend that the PBS Regional Commissioner of the Pacific Rim Region take immediate action to improve management oversight of the region’s facilities to ensure that: (1) code violations and maintenance deficiencies brought to management’s attention are immediately addressed; (2) local fire department personnel are involved in pre-fire planning activities for future battery system projects; (3) local fire department personnel are involved in post-fire assessments; and (4) final certificates of occupancy are not issued until all outstanding fire and life safety deficiencies are corrected.