House Passes Energy and Water Appropriations Bill

Today the House passed the 2008 Energy and Water Appropriations legislation, H.R. 2641. Despite the President's veto threat (pdf), the bill passed with a veto proof majority of 312 to 112. The bill will address our nation's energy crisis as well as the reality of global warming. This bill both researches the effects of global warming and works on technologies to slow it down. It also invests in renewable energy programs that reduce greenhouse gasses and help our nation meet its energy needs.

In the 1970s, when our nation faced an energy crisis we responded with unprecedented initiatives for energy research. Over the years, gas prices came down, incentive was lost, and these efforts fell by the wayside.

Today, we again face an energy crisis, only this time it is coupled with the enormous challenge of addressing the reality of global climate change. This bill attempts to face these twin crises. The bill also cuts funding for poorly thought-out plans for nuclear weapons, recognizing that because of the enormous cost and the importance to our national security they require smart strategies--not blank checks. Instead, it works to keep Americans safe with a 75% increase in funding for nuclear non-proliferation efforts. It also funds the Army Corps of Engineers, strengthening our nation's navigation infrastructure and improving flood control programs.

Amongst the key investments in the bill are several looking forward towards an energy independent America:

Office of Science: $4.516 billion, $116.2 million above the President's request and $716.8 million above 2007 for basic scientific research, supporting 3,500 additional researchers and allowing almost all of the science facilities to operate at maximum capacity.

· Climate Change Science: $150 million, $20 million above the President's request and $24 million above 2007 for research into Climate Change including: modeling using state-of-the-art super computers; monitoring radiation in the atmosphere; and long-term experiments on the impact of increased carbon dioxide levels on forests and other ecosystems.

· Basic Energy Research: $208 million, $30 million above the President's request and $35 million above 2007 for research into improving technology for energy storage and generation.

Reducing Our Dependence on Foreign Oil in a Way that Cuts Greenhouse Gas Emissions: $1.9 billion, $638 million above the President's request and $400 million above 2007 for energy efficiency and renewable energy programs.

· Solar Energy: $200 million, $40.6 million over 2007 and $51.7 billion above the President's request for research, development and demonstration projects to make solar energy affordable.

· Biofuels: $250 million, $50.3 million above 2007 and $70.7 million above the President's request for research and development of alternative fuels such as corn based and cellulosic ethanol and biodiesel.

· Vehicle Technology: $235.4 million, $47.4 million above 2007 and $59.3 million above the President's request to collaborate with industry on developing technologies for improved fuel efficiency such as improved batteries or engines that burn clean diesel.

· Energy Efficient Buildings: $146.5 million, $42.1 million above 2007 and $60 million above the President's request for research into building and industrial conservation technologies that would reduce energy demand. This includes developing affordable, net-zero energy use homes.

· Weatherization Grants: $245.6 million, $101.6 million above the President's request level and $41 million above 2007, for insulation and other cost-effective energy conservation measures, restoring the program to its 2006 funding level.

· Hydropower: $22 million, not funded in 2007 or in the President's request, to research new ways of generating power from water flow. (this is on top of the $95 million for upgrades to existing hydropower dams funded under the Army Corps)

· Geothermal Energy: $44.3 million, $39.3 million above 2007 and eliminated in the President's request.