On April 10, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology held a hearing to discuss the Department of Energy’s (DOE) fiscal year (FY) 2015 budget request. Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz testified that DOE’s $27.9 billion request, a 2.6 percent increase from FY 2014 enacted level, is organized around three priorities: energy and science, nuclear security, and environmental management.

Members expressed concern that DOE’s request would increase funding for the Office of Science by less than 1 percent and cut the workforce development budget for science teachers. According to Secretary Moniz, the Administration aims to save money and streamline productivity by consolidating science education programs from different agencies including DOE, the National Science Foundation, and the Department of Education.

Secretary Moniz highlighted research priorities such as renewable and applied energy research, geothermal energy co-production with oil and gas, and enhanced geothermal systems. These initiatives exemplify DOE’s commitment to cross-cutting projects that can apply to all sectors of energy research and production.

The Secretary reiterated the importance of public-private partnerships in fostering energy research, referencing DOE’s foundational role in the recent successes of hydraulic fracturing techniques in shale gas. DOE looks to act as a catalyst for the next energy boom, which Moniz suggested could occur in methane hydrates production.

Sources: Committee on Science Space, and Technology, Department of Energy