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Washington, D.C. – Congressman Pete Visclosky today announced that funding for energy research and technology under the Fiscal Year 2007 Joint Funding Resolution has been increased by $500 million over 2006 levels. Visclosky, who is the Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy & Water, says the funding is critical for our nation to establish greater energy independence.
“Our nation’s dependence on foreign oil hampers our economic potential and exposes us to international instability,” said Visclosky. “While this additional funding won’t make us energy independent overnight, it is a step toward developing the technologies needed to make us less reliant on foreign oil.”
Specifically, the Joint Funding Resolution, which is expected to be voted on in the House on Wednesday, provides the following energy funding under the Department of Energy:
- Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Resources:
Total Funding: $1.5 billion
FY 07 Increase from last year: $300 million
Purpose: To accelerate research and development activities for renewable energy and energy efficiency programs. The Department of Energy will use the funding to pursue more technologies that hold promise for reducing the emission of greenhouse gases and the importation of oil, while supporting growth in the US economy. This includes such items as an increased competitive selection of a wider variety of biorefineries and support for joint government – industry efforts to have zero energy homes market viable by 2020.
- Office of Science:
Total Funding: $3.8 billion
FY 07 Increase from last year: $200 million
Purpose: To support research including new energy technologies such as improved conversion of cellulosic biomass to biofuels. This increase is a first step toward improving government support for research in the physical sciences and will ensure the continued operation of DOE user facilities at full capacity in support of a broad range of research fields serving users ranging from academe to industry.
The Joint Funding Resolution totals $463.5 billion, the amount remaining under the Republican budget resolution for the current fiscal year. Because the Republican-led Congress last year failed to pass 9 of the 11 appropriations bills required to allow the federal government to operate, the new 110th Congress had to take the unusual and less-than-ideal step to fund the remaining portions of the government under a continuing resolution.
“By moving quickly to resolve the unfinished work of last Congress, it is my hope we can act in dedicated and bipartisan fashion to address the short and long-term energy needs facing our country,” said Visclosky. |
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