DOE says president’s budget invests in innovation, clean energy, national security

A U.S. Department of Energy official on Wednesday said the president’s $28.4 billion budget request for DOE emphasizes a “continued commitment to an all-of-the-above energy strategy that prioritizes investments in innovation, clean energy technologies, and national security.”

President Barack Obama released his budget proposal for the fiscal year that starts Oct. 1 on Wednesday. It still has to be considered by Congress.

U.S. Deputy Secretary Daniel B. Poneman said the proposed budget request for DOE is part of an administration-wide effort to “strengthen the American economy with energy that is cleaner, cheaper, and creates sustainable jobs.

“The United States faces one of the greatest challenges ahead, the opportunity to lead the global clean energy race,” Poneman said. “We must continue to out-innovate, out-educate, and out-build the rest of the world to meet this challenge. This budget reflects strong commitments to fiscal responsibility and shared sacrifice, while embracing the president’s all-of-the-above energy strategy, which expands both oil and gas production and investments in new clean energy technologies, while advancing our national security.”

A DOE press release said the president’s Fiscal Year 2014 budget request for the department:

• Invests in innovative research to lead in research, development, deployment, and production of clean energy technologies;
• Establishes a new goal of doubling American energy productivity by 2030;
• Calls for Congress to establish an $2 billion Energy Security Trust;
• Creates a new Race to the Top for Energy Efficiency and Grid Modernization;
• Helps consumers and businesses save money and improve their energy efficiency through the President’s Better Buildings Initiative;
• Supports groundbreaking basic science research and innovation to solve energy challenges and ensure the United States remains at the forefront of science and technology;
• Increases investments to maintain a safe, secure, and effective nuclear weapons stockpile at levels consistent with planned reductions under the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty; and
• Strengthens national security by securing, removing, and detecting nuclear and radiological material worldwide.

According to DOE, highlights in the FY 2014 budget include:

• $5 billion for the Office of Science for basic research to lay the foundation of innovation, long-term economic growth, and competitiveness;
• $615 million to increase use and decrease costs of clean power from solar, wind, geothermal, and water energy;
• $575 million for cutting-edge vehicle technologies research;
• $282 million in next generation of advanced biofuels research;
• $2 billion for an Energy Security Trust to transition cars and trucks off of oil;
• $365 million in advanced manufacturing research and development to strengthen U.S. competitiveness and enable companies to improve product quality and manufacturing processes while cutting production costs;
• Ends $4 billion of unwanted and unnecessary subsidies to the oil and gas industries;
• $16 million to enhance energy infrastructure security and energy recovery capabilities;
• $147 million in research and development of smart grid investments, cybersecurity for energy control systems, and permitting, sitting, and analysis activities within the Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability; and
• $80 million for advanced technologies and tools that improve clean energy integration into the grid.