Obama Administration Releases FY 2010 Budget

For more information contact EESI at (202) 662-1892 or eesi [at] eesi.org

WASHINGTON – Carol Werner, Executive Director of the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI), issued the following statement on the release of the President’s FY 10 budget:

So far this year we have seen enactment of a major investment and economic recovery appropriations bill, enactment of appropriations to cover the last half of FY 2009 and the submission in early May of the President’s budget request for FY 2010. Throughout this time, President Obama has repeatedly invoked his vision for the United States: that investing in the transition to a clean energy economy is vital to helping pull the country out of its severe economic conundrum. There are elements in the FY 2010 budget that clearly speak to that vision, including, for example, new initiatives at the Department of Energy to stimulate science, energy, engineering education and workforce development (RENERGY-SE) and to promote innovation in energy investments in housing and its financing as well as in enhanced community planning and design (smart growth) that can provide multiple benefits to our local communities through new leadership at HUD.

“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.

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (DOE):
The President's FY 10 budget request for DOE's Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EE/RE) programs is$2.3 billion (approximately 8 percent of the DOE budget) -- an increase of $140 million (6.4 percent from FY 09 appropriations). The FY 10 budget is supplemented this year with funds appropriated through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-5), which provided an additional $38.7 billion for DOE, $16.8 billion of which are specifically budgeted for EE/RE programs. Click here for EESI's full review of the DOE FY 10 budget request.

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA):
The President's FY 10 budget request includes $513 million dollars for USDA Farm Bill Energy Programs ($391 million in mandatory funds and $122 million in additional discretionary funds). This represents an increase of $242 million (89.3 percent above FY 09 appropriations). Click here for EESI's full review of the USDA FY 10 budget request.

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (DOT):
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). Click here for EESI's full review of the DOT FY 10 budget request.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (EPA):
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. Click here for EESI's full review of the EPA FY 10 budget request.

DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT (HUD):
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. The budget request includes $40 million in community challenge grants to encourage local leaders to make changes to zoning, land use rules, and building codes, and $2.4 million for a new Office of Sustainable Housing and Communities. Click here for EESI's full review of the HUD FY 10 budget request.

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR (DOL):
The President's FY 10 budget request for 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 Workforce Investment Act of 1998), which received $1.2 billion under ARRA, would receive level funding from FY 09 appropriations. The Career Pathways Innovation Fund is slated for $135 million, a $10 million increase over the amount awarded in FY 09 appropriations. Click here for EESI's full review of the DOL FY 10 budget request.