Letter to the Hon. David Shulkin - Regarding Solar Panel Failure

Letter

Congratulations on your recent confirmation. We stand ready to work tirelessly to insure an effective, accountable, and efficient system at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to best serve our Nation's heroes.

"In this regard, since April of 2015, we have been trying to work with the VA to resolve the ongoing issues with the solar panel project at the John L. McClellan Memorial Veterans Hospital in Little Rock. Today, we remain concerned regarding the additional work being done on the project, the delay in the operation of these solar panels, and the ongoing increase in the cost of this project for hardworking taxpayers.

"Last August, the VA Office of the Inspector General released a report on the solar panel projects at the VA and noted that the delays at the Little Rock facility had delayed the project by approximately four years from the original completion date and added approximately $1.5 million in the cost of the project. The report also expected that the project would finally be completed in January of 2017; however, January came, and went and the project remains unfinished.

"We have now been made aware that the project will be delayed at least until April of 2017, a new contractor has been hired, and new switches and relays have been required to complete the project. The delay and new additions will undoubtedly raise the price, and we request that you provide our offices with an estimate of these additional costs.

"Further, we request that you work swiftly to resolve any outstanding issues at this project and ensure that the recommendations from the VAOIG report from August are fully implemented to avoid any future similar issues with solar panel or other construction projects at the VA.

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