Energy and Water
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Assistant Secretary Darcy and General Bostick, we appreciate you appearing before the Subcommittee this afternoon.
The last several years have been busy ones for the Corps—between Superstorm Sandy, Hurricane Irene, droughts, tornados, and flooding in the Mississippi and Missouri River Basins, you have had much to do. Let's hope that the year ahead of us is less full of surprises.
The Corps' response to these events demonstrates the important and vital role the Corps plays in our nation's ability to prevent and respond to natural disasters. We are all very thankful for the Corps' efforts in this regard. However, these events draw attention to the significant cost borne by the government, and ultimately the taxpayer, in the initial response and long-term reconstruction efforts.
Good morning, Dr. Danielson, it is good to see you again. Dr. Lyons, Secretary Smith and Hoffman, good morning. Thank you all for being here today to update the Subcommittee on your programs.
Today we consider the applied research and development portfolios at the Department of Energy—Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Nuclear Energy, Fossil Energy and the office that at least in theory, links them all together Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability — all critical areas of our nation's energy portfolio.
I have long sited our reliance on foreign energy as a grave economic and national security concern—over the last decade, we have spent $2.3 trillion importing foreign oil, making rich some of the worst global players at the expense of our own citizens.
Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-NY), Ranking Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, today issued the following statement on President Obama's FY 2015 budget request:
"The FY2015 budget and appropriations process offers Congress its best opportunity in years to reject the politics of brinkmanship and crisis management, and instead fulfill our responsibility to invest in our future, create and protect jobs, and support services on which American families rely.
Good afternoon. Dr. Moniz, it is good to see you again and welcome to your first appearance before the Subcommittee.
Mr. Secretary, the early reviews on your tenure as Secretary have been good from most, if not all, quarters but I believe the hardest challenges lie before you.
I have long sited our reliance on foreign energy as a grave economic and national security concern—over the last decade, we have spent $2.3 trillion importing foreign oil, making rich some of the worst global players at the expense of our own citizens.
2013 enacted level (excluding Sandy reconstruction): $33.2 billion
2014 Committee mark: $30.4 billion
2014 Omnibus: $34.1 billion
· $1.912 billion for Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy, which is $102 million more than the 2013 enacted level.
· $5.071 billion for the Department of Energy Office of Science, which is $205 million more than the 2013 enacted level.
· $280 million for the Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy (ARPA-E), which is $15.5 million more than the 2013 enacted level.
· $5.8 billion for environmental cleanup activities, which is $111 million more than the 2013 enacted level.