Fossil Energy Research Up Congress provided a 2% increase in funding for fossil energy research and development – and that’s just compared to last year. Compared to fiscal year 2012, that’s a 64% increase in federal funds for fossil energy research. President Obama had requested a decrease in fossil energy research funds, from $562 million in fiscal year 2014 to $475.5 million. Instead, lawmakers gave fossil fuel research a boost to $571 million. Which makes perfect sense, if you think that oil and gas are the fuels of tomorrow. Nuclear Energy Research Up Nuclear energy research and development also got a boost, from $488.6 million to $498.5 million –$30 million more than the Department of Energy itself requested. And the bill maintained funding for Yucca mountain, the controversial site of a nuclear waste repository. Renewable Energy Research Funding in the Lurch Unlike “all of the above,” renewable energy research received less than President Obama requested – $380 million, or 16 percent less, in fact. To add insult to injury, Congress also stipulated that the Department of Energy may not enforce a law signed by President George W. Bush that called for the gradual phasing out of inefficient incandescent light bulbs, a modest but hard-won energy conservation measure. Declining EPA Funding in Fiscal 2015 The lack of new investment in renewables is echoed by the continued slow, steady decline of funding for the Environmental Protection Agency that will result in the lowest staffing levels at EPA in 25 years. This budget’s prioritization of the climate and environment is clear:
Posted on: Fri, 19 Dec 2014 15:59:29 +0000
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