April 19, 2016

The House Committee on Appropriations met on April 19 to markup the fiscal year (FY) 2017 Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill, which provides funding for the Department of Energy (DOE), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and other agencies. The bill passed with a top-line budget of $37.4 billion.

Although the bill includes a general increase for DOE, it still falls below the President’s $32 billion request and cuts funding within the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy by almost 12 percent. Under the bill, geothermal energy, solar energy, and hydropower would see the largest decreases of 21.1, 18.5, and 21.4 percent, respectively. Fossil Energy Research and Development, however, would see a $13 billion increase over FY 2016 enacted levels, a 2 percent increase.   

An amendment proposed by Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) to provide Flint, Michigan with $800 million for recovery from lead-contaminated water was debated and finally rejected.

The bill will now move on to the House floor and subsequently to conference with a Senate version of the bill.

Sources: House Committee on Appropriations, E&E News