Skip to content

Department of Energy FY11 Budget Requests Increases for Science

Today, President Obama released his FY11 budget request. Despite an overall spending freeze, the President’s Budget Request (PBR) contained noteworthy increases for science within the Department of Energy. Items of note for the higher education community include:

  • An increase of 4.4% ($217.7 million) to $5.1 billion for the Office of Science, including an increase of 72% ($14.9 million) for Workforce Development for Teachers and Scientists, and an increase of 12% ($198.5 million) for Basic Energy Sciences;
  • The first significant annual request for the Advance Research Projects Agency -Energy (ARPA-E) of $300 million, which would likely result in 8 targeted solicitations and one open solicitation;
  • $140 million for Energy Frontier Research Centers (EFRCs), which would allow for new awards;
  • $107 million for Energy Innovation Hubs allowing for the continuation of three existing Hubs and one new Hub focusing on batteries and energy storage.

Department of Energy FY11 Budget Materials

Detailed Information on EFRCs

This Week on Capitol Hill — February 1-5

The major focus on Capitol Hill is  President Obama’s budget proposal for fiscal year 2011, which he is scheduled to release today.  Committees in both the House and the Senate have scheduled hearings on the budget this week.

Tuesday:  Senate Armed Services; Senate Budget; and Senate Finance

Wednesday:  House Armed Services; House Transportation-HUD Appropriations Subcommittee; House Education and Labor; and House Ways and Means

Thursday:  Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee; House Armed Services; and House Veterans’ Affairs.

In addition, the Senate Finance Committee will hold a hearing on Thursday on administration health care proposals.  Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius will testify.

On the House Floor for consideration this week will be HR 4061, Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2009 (Wednesday), and H J Res 45, a joint resolution increasing the statutory limit on the public debt.

Source:  CQ Schedules