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December 28, 2006

Congress Urged to Shift Funds to Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Washington, DC [RenewableEnergyAccess.com]

In a letter delivered this week to congressional leaders, 103 business, consumer, environmental, energy policy, and other groups urged that federal energy research and development funds be shifted to programs supporting renewable energy and energy efficiency -- away from fossil fuel and nuclear power programs.

...Restore and maintain policy, research, development and demonstration funding for the DOE Distributed Energy program at the FY'06 level of $60 million; fund the DOE State Energy Program at the U.S. Senate FY'07 level of $49.5 million; fund the DOE Buildings Technologies program at the U.S. Senate FY'07 level of $95.3 million; and fund the DOE Solar Energy Technologies Program at the House and Senate FY'07 level of $148 million.

The letter specifically proposes changes in the Fiscal Year 2007 (FY'07) budget for the U.S. Department of Energy, which the 110th Congress is expected to consider shortly after convening on January 4, 2007. The groups recommended that the FY'06 programs for Nuclear Power R&D be cut by $206 million and those programs falling under Fossil Fuel R&D be cut by $183 million.

The groups' proffered recommendations include: fund all core DOE renewable energy and energy efficiency programs at no less than the FY'06 appropriated levels unless otherwise indicated below; restore the DOE geothermal research program to at least its historic level of $27.5 million; restore the DOE advanced and incremental hydropower research program to at least its historic level of $5.0 million; restore and maintain policy, research, development and demonstration funding for the DOE Distributed Energy program at the FY'06 level of $60 million; fund the DOE State Energy Program at the at the U.S. Senate FY'07 level of $49.5 million; fund the DOE Buildings Technologies program at the U.S. Senate FY'07 level of $95.3 million; and fund the DOE Solar Energy Technologies Program at the House and Senate FY'07 level of $148 million.

The groups noted that "a shift in federal funding from mature and/or polluting technologies to cleaner, safer, and sustainable energy sources offers the best option for curbing greenhouse gas emissions, reducing oil imports, and addressing the nation's other pressing energy and deficit-reduction needs within the constraints of a very tight federal budget."

Inquiries may be made to Ken Bossong of the Sustainable Energy Network at 301-588-4741, or via e-mail at sustainable-energy-network@hotmail.com.
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Reader Comments (4)
 
No image available
December 28, 2006
It seems shameful that our government would even consider not funding these most important programs. If they should not to do so, it would be nothing more than hypocritical than for them to say that they are making an honest effort to solve our nation's energy problems.

The fact remains that even with the present level of funding, the US government falls far short of appropriate financing for this critical area. We have become so entrenched with fossil and nuclear that we find it difficult to move in any other direction. The path to carbon burning technologies is a the wrong path to take but sometimes it is hard to make corrections.

I think that after 4 or 5 more decades have passed, we will be better able to see the light.

adrianakau@aol.com
Comment 1 of 4
No image available
December 28, 2006
If the government spent a tenth of the money they are spending on these wars on renewable energy, we would be energy independent in the next ten years.
Comment 2 of 4
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January 3, 2007
The market place will see a huge surge in demand for renewables even without legslation becaues the reckless deficit spending by our leaders will impact the value of the US dollar.

As the dollar declines in value all prices for goods & services in dollar terms will rise.Those with limited amounts of dollars will look for alternative solutions in the marketplace.The DEMAND will be huge...

http://www.JoinTheSolution.com/MadiSUN
Comment 3 of 4
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January 12, 2007
Just sent my e-mails off to congressman and senators.
Keep writing and calling until the fossil fuels are not funded and clean renewable energy is.
2008 is not that far away.
Comment 4 of 4
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