Democrats Caution Against Cuts to Vital Energy R&D Programs
(Washington, DC) Today, the U.S. House Committee on Science Subcommittee on Energy held a hearing examining the fiscal year 2006 budget request for the Department of Energy (DOE) civilian research and development programs.
The witnesses at today’s hearing consisted solely of Administration officials representing five core DOE civilian R&D programs. They included the director of the Office of Science as well as four representatives from offices that run applied research programs.
"It probably comes as no surprise to anyone that I am disappointed by the 5 percent decline in the Department of Energy’s non-defense R&D budget," remarked Subcommittee Ranking Member Rep. Mike Honda (D-CA). "I’m hearing from the Administration witnesses about 'times of tight budgets' and the need to make tough choices, but I continue to believe that we do not really need to be in this budget situation; rather that it was created by tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans."
R&D funding cuts at DOE come at a time when other nations are increasing their investments in basic scientific research and development, and in bringing new technologies to commercial markets. Today, Administration witnesses continued to defend the proposed $877 million decrease (-1.4%) in Federal science and technology funding within the FY06 budget even though Federal R&D as a percentage of GDP is near a 50-year low.
Critical research areas at DOE that are cut significantly in the Administration’s FY06 budget include building technologies (-12%), industrial technologies (-25%) and the biomass program (-18%).
"The President’s own Council of Advisors on Science and Technology has decried prior under-funding of physical sciences, and the DOE Office of Science in particular," added Rep. Honda. "Without additional funds, our national labs will be forced to continue to defer maintenance and deteriorate, our best and brightest students will choose not to pursue careers in math, science, and engineering, and innovation at our companies will suffer."
DOE is the leading source of Federal funds and facilities for research in the physical sciences, providing 42 percent of the federal investment in these disciplines. The agency’s significant investment in major user facilities located at universities and national laboratories is second to none. More than 19,000 researchers - both university faculty members and students - use DOE’s scientific facilities every year.
"The best way to ensure America’s energy independence while preserving the environment for future generations is by investing in clean, renewable sources of energy," subcommittee member Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-CA). "If we spend half the time promoting policies that encourage the use of renewable energy than we do discussing drilling in ANWR, we can develop a sensible energy policy that ensures real energy independence."
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