U.S. Government Budget Proposals Contain Increases for Clean Energy Funding Levels
In his newest budget proposal, which he unveiled on February 1st, $2.36 billion out of a total of $28.4 billion earmarked for the Department of Energy would be used specifically by the subordinate Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy(EERE), according to President Barack Obama. Clean and renewable energy use and development has been a major part of President Obama's platform as far back as the election and campaign. The proposal on the table now will attempt to reduce the unnecessary use of energy, substantially increase the number of energy sources using renewable methods, as well as moving the U.S. towards a clean energy economy by strengthening research into clean energy. These funding increases would take place in Fiscal Year 2011, according to the budget proposal.
This new budget, with its focus on renewable energy, substantially increases funding for many EERE programs, including wind energy, geothermal energy and solar, among others.
Also benefiting significantly from this budget request would be the DOE's National Renewable Energy Laboratory, which would receive $57.5 million for upgrades and increases to facilities and infrastructure. A new Regaining Our Energy Science and Engineering Edge (Re-Energyse) educational effort would be implemented also. The program would be designed to guide students and workers towards energy related careers and entrepreneurships.
Other projects obtaining increased support are numerous. Some of these programs include clean energy transmission and reliability, Smart Grid research and development, energy storage on the grid, and a program that will guarantee loans for projects aimed at renewable energy and energy efficiency. The Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program would also be allowed to continue, with continued funding for administration.
Clean and renewable energy use and development has been a major part of President Obama's platform as far back as the election and campaign
In this newest budget, ARPA-E (the energy arm of the Advanced Projects Research Agency) will receive monies to fund research into transformational energy, something industry can't and won't fund by itself. The Energy Frontier Research Centers program will receive monies for new centers and Energy Innovation Hubs. One of these proposed new Energy Innovation Hubs will be specifically dedicated to research and development into batteries and energy storage methods.
Two other U.S. Departments, Agriculture and Interior, will also be increasing funding into renewable energy and energy efficiency programs in their budget requests for Fiscal Year 2011. These funding requests are a continued part of the Energy Frontier initiative. The Bureau of Land Management is targeted to receive several million dollars to review applications for renewable energy projects on public lands, among many other energy related projects.
There are a number of other agencies, programs and offices which will receive substantial amounts of monies to either develop new programs or enhance current programs aimed at increasing our reliance and use of renewable and sustainable energy sources.
