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Groups Urge Senate Chairs to Strengthen Climate Bill
Finally, the groups state, because “it is taxpaying businesses and individuals who will absorb most of the increased costs associated with a climate change policy, it makes sense to return the revenues as much as possible to all individuals and businesses – including payroll tax reductions that would benefit both employers and workers – in a way that does not distort the price signals needed to reduce energy use. Such a tax reduction will lead to other benefits for the economy and thus provide an economic dividend and shrink the economic impact of the cap-and-trade program.”
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Obama Administration Releases FY 2010 Budget
“Clearly the stimulus and economic recovery bill will provide the greatest boost to changing the outlook for clean energy investments, rather than the proposed FY 2010 budget,” said Carol Werner, EESI Executive Director. “While the proposed budget heads the country in the right direction overall in its increased support for investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies, and should be commended for that, at the same time we were disappointed that EPA’s Energy Star program received essentially flat funding. DOE’s water power program not only had received no additional investment in the stimulus package but was cut 25% ($10 million) in the proposed FY2010 budget, and yet these technologies offer immense near-term benefits. As the country grapples with how to make very significant progress in reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the near term, the willingness of the administration and Congress to invest in accelerating the transition to a clean energy economy will be tested by the FY2011 budget….because it will not have the advantage of this year’s major stimulus package to bolster it.” Below are clean energy budget highlights from DOE, USDA, EPA, HUD, DOL and DOT.
EPA FY 10 Budget Includes $112 Million for Climate Protection
The President’s FY 10 budget request for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) represents the highest level of funding for the agency in its 39-year history: $10.5 billion in discretionary budget authority, an increase of $7.6 billion from FY 09 appropriations. $111.6 million is requested for the Climate Protection Program, an increase of $17.4 million from FY 09 appropriations, which includes funding to implement EPA’s proposed greenhouse gas (GHG) reporting rule that is still undergoing public comment. $5 million is proposed for providing analytical support in anticipation of a future cap-and-trade program, including offset verification. The popular Energy STAR program is slated to receive $50.7 million, an increase of $1 million from FY 09 appropriations.
HUD Budget Highlights New Focus on Sustainable Development
The President’s FY 10 budget request for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) reflects a new focus on community development and redevelopment as a key part of the solution to climate change and energy independence. New programs are proposed to advance "sustainable and inclusive growth patterns at the metropolitan level, communities of choice at the neighborhood scale and energy efficiency at the building scale" and to promote "affordable, livable and sustainable living environments." A new Energy Innovation Fund is proposed to re-engineer the FHA Energy Efficient Mortgage program and test innovative on-bill utility financing or billing arrangements to provide streamlined energy audit and technical services to participating property owners. A new Sustainable Communities Initiative – funded from an increase in the Community Development and Block Grant program – would integrate transportation and housing planning. The proposed initiative is intended to produce “walkable, transit-oriented, mixed income and mixed use communities” that reduce transportation costs and save energy by reducing Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT). It also includes $40 million in community challenge grants to encourage local leaders to make changes to zoning, land use rules, and building codes. The budget includes $2.4 million for a new Office of Sustainable Housing and Communities to be the lead on energy and sustainability issues, reporting directly to the Deputy Secretary.
Green Jobs Programs Funded in DOL FY 10 Budget
The President’s FY 10 budget request for the Department of Labor's (DOL) Employment and Training Administration (ETA) includes programs to help the country's youth move into the growing fields of renewable energy infrastructure, energy efficiency, and home retrofitting. Youth Activities (Title I of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998), which received $1.2 billion under ARRA, would receive level funding from FY 09 appropriations. A new Green Jobs Innovation Fund would support competitive grant opportunities to help workers receive job training in green industry sectors and occupations and access green career pathways. The Career Pathways Innovation Fund is slated for a $10 million increase over the amount awarded in FY 09 appropriations. Competitive grants provided by this Fund will continue support for community colleges provided by Community-Based Job Training Grants (CBJTG), but will focus on helping individuals of varying skill levels enter and pursue careers in high-demand and emerging industries such as clean energy.
USDA Budget Request Includes Increased Funding for Renewable Energy
On May 7, 2009, President Obama released his FY 2010 Federal Budget Request. The FY 2010 budget includes $513 million dollars for USDA Farm Bill Energy Programs ($391 million in mandatory funds and $122 in additional discretionary funds). This represents an increase of $242 million over FY 2009 appropriation levels, an increase of 89.3%.
DOT $73.3 Billion Budget Request Includes New Funding for High-Speed Rail
The President’s FY 10 budget request includes $73.3 billion for the Department of Transportation (DOT) to fund construction, maintenance, and operation activities for federally-funded highways, railways, public transit systems, and air transportation. This represents an increase of approximately $1.8 billion (2.5 percent above FY 09 appropriations).
DOE FY 2010 Budget Request Increases Funding for EE/RE Programs
The President’s FY 10 budget request for DOE includes: • $145 million increase in the Solar Energy Program (83% increase from FY 09 appropriations) • $97.7 million increase in the Building Technologies Program (70% increase from FY 09 appropriations) • $20.0 million increase in the Wind Energy Program (36% increase from FY 09 appropriations) • $60.1 million increase in the Vehicle Technologies Program (22% increase from FY 09 appropriations) • $18.0 million increase in the Biomass and Biorefinery Systems R&D (8.3% increase from FY 09 appropriations) • $6.0 million increase in the Geothermal Energy Program (13.6% increase from FY 09 appropriations) • $101 million cut in the Fuel Cell Technologies Program (formerly Hydrogen Technology) (60% decrease from FY 09 appropriations) • $10.0 million cut in the Water Power Program (25% decrease from FY 09 appropriations) • $115 million in new funding for RE-ENERGYSE, a new program undertaken by the DOE to “build the foundation of a vibrant American workforce to participate in the green economy.”
EESI, APA Launch Planners Energy and Climate Database
The American Planning Association (APA) and the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) are pleased to announce the launch of the Planners Energy and Climate Database, an online tool to help planners, policymakers, and allied professionals find information relevant to addressing energy and climate issues at the local, regional, and state level. The database features more than 150 resources to help communities improve energy efficiency, expand renewable energy sources, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and prepare for the impacts of climate change. More entries are being added regularly.
USDA Announces Energy Audit Applications for Grants Now Being Accepted
Audits are required for energy efficiency projects funded by REAP costing over $50,000. Parties seeking audits must pay 25 percent of audit costs. State, tribal or local government, land-grant colleges and universities, or other institutions of higher education, rural electric cooperatives, and public power entities are eligible to receive funds.
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