DOE Budget Earmarks: A Selective Look at Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy R&D Programs

Publication Date: March 2006

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Author(s):

Research Area: Energy

Type:

Abstract:

Appropriations earmarks for the Department of Energy's (DOE's) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) programs have tripled from FY2003 to FY2006. According to the Executive Office of the President and the private American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), this affects the conduct of programs and may delay the achievement of goals. Further, the Administration has proposed new funding for hydrogen, biomass/biorefinery, and solar energy initiatives proposed under the American Competitiveness Initiative/Advanced Energy Initiative (AEI).

The report discusses the potential impact of congressional earmarks on EERE research and development (R&D) programs and, in particular, whether continued high levels of earmarks could lead to new cuts in staff and dilute the desired impact of the AEI initiatives under EERE, should Congress decide to fund them.

The congressional debate over earmarks centers on the transparency of the process, with a focus on earmarks not initially approved in either chamber that appear in a bill's conference report. Opponents contend that the earmarking process is not open, fair, or competitive. Proponents say it is a legitimate practice and is justified by policymakers' knowledge of local needs, as it spreads research money to deserving states and institutions.

The appropriation figures cited as "earmarks" in this report are those labeled by DOE budget requests as "congressionally directed activities" and, for FY2006, appear to be completely consistent with figures in the FY2006 Energy and Water Development (E&W) conference report that are labeled as "congressionally directed projects." In this regard, the earmark figures in this report appear consistent with the definition of a congressional appropriations earmark as "funds set aside within an account for individual projects, locations, or institutions."

This report will be updated as events warrant.