The U.S. House Appropriations Committee is proposing a massive cut in funding for the Department of Energy (DOE), slashing funds for renewable energy programs by half.
Under the fiscal year 2014 Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill – legislation that provides annual funding for nuclear weapons activities, the Army Corps of Engineers, the DOE and other related agencies -Â funding for DOE energy programs is cut by $1.4 billion below the fiscal year 2013 enacted level.
The committee says the bill funds renewable energy programs at $1 billion – a cut of $911 million, which is 50% below the enacted level for fiscal year 2013. Proposed funding for the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy program is reduced by $215 million, 81% below this year's level.
The bill includes $450 million for research and development to advanced coal, natural gas, oil and other fossil energy technologies, as well as $656 million for nuclear energy research, development and demonstration activities. In addition, the legislation provides $390 million in funding for programs that the committee says can help address rising gas prices.
The overall bill, which heads to a subcommittee for consideration, totals $30.4 billion – a decrease of $2.9 billion from the fiscal year 2013 enacted level and a reduction of $4.1 billion compared to President Barack Obama's request.
