The House Appropriations Committee has released the draft fiscal year 2020 Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies funding bill, which will be considered in subcommittee today, Wednesday, May 15, 2019. The legislation funds the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Department of the Interior programs, the Department of Energy, and other related agencies.
New legislation invests $46.4 billion in Energy and Water Development programs, an increase of $1.8 billion from fiscal year 2019, addressing climate change, improving infrastructure, and upholding our commitment to strengthening national security.
In total, the legislation includes $46.4 billion in funding to spur energy innovation that will increase economic prosperity while working to mitigate and adapt to climate change, improve the nation’s water infrastructure, and strengthen national security. This represents an increase of $1.8 billion, or 4%, above the fiscal year 2019 enacted level.
The bill includes $23.3 billion for non-defense activities, an increase of $1.1 billion above the fiscal year 2019 enacted level, and $23.1 billion for defense spending, an increase of $673 million above the fiscal year 2019 enacted level.
“Funding innovative programs at the Department of Energy and the jobs that comes from them, shoring up our energy and water infrastructure to bolster trade, and promoting a comprehensive approach to the challenges of one of our most precious resources, fresh water, have been among my highest priorities as Chairwoman,” said House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies Chairwoman Marcy Kaptur.
Kaptur added: “This bill makes critical investments toward combating climate change, strengthening our nation’s water infrastructure, responsibly funding our nuclear deterrent, and providing robust funding to help ensure low-income households across the country have energy-efficient and more livable homes. This bill ensures a credible nuclear deterrent and increases funding for nuclear non-proliferation programs. This bill rejects the President’s drastic, short-sighted cuts across the Department of Energy, Army Corps of Engineers, and the Bureau of Reclamation – all of which contribute to our nation’s economic prosperity.”
A summary of the draft fiscal year 2020 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies bill is available here. The full text of the bill is here. Here’s a brief look at what’s proposed for energy, including renewables.
Department of Energy – The bill provides a total of $37.1 billion for the Department, an increase of $1.4 billion above the fiscal year 2019 level and $5.6 billion above the President’s budget request.
- Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy – The bill provides $2.65 billion, an increase of $273 million above the fiscal year 2019 level and $2.3 billion above the request. This funding provides for clean, affordable, and secure energy and ensures American leadership in the transition to a global clean energy economy.
- Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response – The bill provides $150 million, an increase of $30 million above the fiscal year 2019 level. This funding provides for efforts to secure the nation’s energy infrastructure against all hazards, reduce the risks of and impacts from cybersecurity events, and assist with restoration activities.
- Electricity – The bill provides $200 million, an increase of $44 million above the fiscal year 2019 level and $17.5 million above the request. This funding will advance technologies to increase the resiliency and efficiency of the nation’s electricity delivery system with capabilities to incorporate growing amounts of clean energy technologies.
- Science – The bill provides $6.87 billion, an increase of $285 million above the fiscal year 2019 level and $1.3 billion above the request. The Office of Science funds basic science research in physics, biology, chemistry, and other science disciplines to expand scientific understanding and secure the nation’s global leadership in energy innovation.
- Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy – The bill provides $425 million, an increase of $59 million above the fiscal year 2019 level and rejects the budget proposal to eliminate the program. This funding supports research aimed at rapidly developing energy technologies that are capable of significantly changing the energy sector to address our critical economic, environmental, and energy security challenges.
“Just as important is investing in clean energy technologies that are environmentally sound and economically advantageous. This bill meets these priorities, reaffirming our nation’s leadership on energy innovation, and ensuring hardworking families have the resources needed to meet their own energy needs,” said House Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Nita Lowey. “Additionally, the bill makes smart investments in our national security by maintaining a credible nuclear deterrent while addressing threats of proliferation.”
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