Geoscience Policy Monthly Review
april 2014

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budget

House Natural Resources Committee: DOI FY2015 budget hearing

The House Committee on Natural Resources held an oversight hearing on April 3 to examine the proposed fiscal year (FY) 2015 budget for the Department of the Interior. Witnesses included Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell and Deputy Secretary Mike Connor. Secretary Jewell described the $11.9 billion budget as “solid [and] responsible,” with smart investments.    

The budget includes increased funding for the U.S. Geological Survey to research climate change, hydraulic fracturing, and invasive species. Other priorities include energy science and research, drought research, and land and water conservation.

The representatives asked questions pertaining, for the most part, to local issues in their districts. However, overarching themes included evolving fracking regulations and safety, balancing Endangered Species Act requirements and communities’ needs, and bolstering National Park Service infrastructure in preparation for its 2016 centennial celebration.

Sources: E&E News, House Natural Resources Committee 

House Science, Space, and Technology Committee: DOE FY2015 budget hearing

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