Senate Appropriations Committee unanimously moves critical Energy & Water Appropriations Bill forward

(WASHINGTON, D.C. – September 13, 2019) The U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee this week unanimously passed the FY2020 Energy & Water Development Appropriations Bill.

The bipartisan funding bill includes major investments that will spur clean energy innovation and job creation by bolstering research and development at many scientific agencies across the federal government.

“This important funding bill makes historic investments in the research and development that will help move our country towards a 100% clean economy,” said Elizabeth Gore, EDF Senior Vice President, Political Affairs.  “We applaud Senators Alexander and Feinstein for supporting innovative policies that empower our climate researchers and scientists.”

Highlights in the bipartisan bill include robust funding levels for many key offices in the Department of Energy, including record funding levels for the Office of Science and the Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy (ARPA-E). Highlights include:

• $7.2 billion for the Office of Science.
• $428 million for the Advance Research Projects Agency – Energy.
• $15 billion for U.S. energy programs, including $2.8 billion for the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) programs.
• $40 million for Direct Air Capture R&D across EERE and the Office of Fossil Energy, which would represent the first ever dedicated funding for this key climate technology.

The FY2020 Energy & Water Development Appropriations Bill also directs agencies to invest in the full range of activities needed to stimulate innovation, including mid- and late stage research & development, deployment, and demonstration activities.

EDF also welcomes language in the bill directing the Office of Fossil Energy to prioritize research on carbon dioxide capture and utilization technologies.