U.S. DOE sets spending program for fiscal 1997

The U.S. Department of Energy has proposed a $16.3 billion budget for itself in fiscal 1997, down sharply from previous years. The plan is part of the Clinton administration's $1.64 trillion budget proposal, up from $1.61 trillion last year. Federal fiscal years begin every Oct. 1. The Republican controlled Congress is expected to revise the budget proposals significantly, agency by agency. DOE allocated more funds for energy efficiency and renewable energy programs in fiscal 1997,

March 25, 1996

2 min read

The U.S. Department of Energy has proposed a $16.3 billion budget for itself in fiscal 1997, down sharply from previous years.

The plan is part of the Clinton administration's $1.64 trillion budget proposal, up from $1.61 trillion last year. Federal fiscal years begin every Oct. 1.

The Republican controlled Congress is expected to revise the budget proposals significantly, agency by agency.

Increases, decreases

DOE allocated more funds for energy efficiency and renewable energy programs in fiscal 1997, increasing them to $1.129 billion from $844.7 million last fiscal year.

Fossil energy programs were slashed to $215 million from $718 million, mostly due to a $500 million cut in funding for the clean coal technology program. DOE cut funding for its fossil fuels research and development programs 17% to $348 million.

DOE allocated $221 million to run the Strategic Petroleum Reserve program, unchanged from its request last year.

The Energy Information Administration would be cut 8% to $66 million and the Economic Regulatory Administration 56% to $2.7 million. The latter office still has cases pending from the era of petroleum price and allocation controls. DOE said the enforcement office will be closed this fiscal year, but the hearings and appeals office will continue to function for 2 years.

Other budgets

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission again will be self-sustaining through user fees, spending $159 million, down 21% from the previous year.

At the Interior Department, the Minerals Management Service will seek $189.4 million for fiscal 1997, the same spending level Congress agreed upon for fiscal 1996.

MMS Director Cynthia Quarterman said, "Clearly, meeting our obligations in 1997 will be a challenge for MMS. We will have to be firm in our resolve to continue to identify and implement more efficient methods of doing business."

The Environmental Protection Agency was slated for a 9% budget increase to $7 billion.

Administrator Carol Browner said the EPA budget targets the highest risks to public health and the environment by providing $3.4 billion and 14,370 work-years for operating programs that advance cleaner air, land, and water.