Tamar Hallerman
GHG Monitor
9/20/13
A Philadelphia-based environmental group is criticizing Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) for fighting against proposed cuts to the National Energy Technology Laboratory’s budget and instead is calling on the state’s senior senator to focus solely on promoting energy efficiency and renewables. In a Sept. 16 letter to Sen. Casey posted on the website of the Philadelphia public radio station WHYY, Joe Minott, executive director of the Clean Air Council, highlighted what he said is Casey’s track record of “pro-environment” votes in the Senate. But Minott added that it was “disappointing to see Pennsylvania’s sensible senator favoring continued massive taxpayer investment in the fossil fuel industry,” adding that NETL “researches and promotes” fossil fuels. “The economic energy future of the United States is in promoting energy efficiency and renewable sources,” he said.
Minott said Casey “should stop wasting his energy on fossil fuels.” “Coal and natural gas can survive without government support. Renewable energy and efficiency measures are where funds are needed and where taxpayers will see the benefit in a smaller electricity bill and a cleaner bill of health,” he said. Minott added that NETL would be better suited “installing carbon dioxide reduction technology it has already licensed the patent for than continuing research to increase profits for coal and natural gas companies.” He warned that if the government spent more on fossil fuel research and subsidies, that America “will be creating more jobs in the disaster relief sector,” cleaning up damage from extreme weather enhanced by climate change.
Casey Had Highlighted ‘Drastic’ NETL Cuts
Minott’s criticism came after Casey wrote to Senate leaders and held a press conference in Pittsburgh drawing attention to recent proposed budget cuts to NETL and the Department of Energy’s Fossil Energy R&D program. Casey said the proposed cuts were “drastic” and that they would hurt natural gas development and job creation in western Pennsylvania, as well as slow the pace and number of projects undertaken at the lab. “Reductions will require a re-prioritization of funds for projects and will limit the full implementation to achieve energy transformation requirements to maintain our energy independence and economy,” wrote Casey, who is chairman of the Senate Finance Subcommittee on Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Growth. Casey’s office did not respond to a request for comment this week.
The fight over FY 2014 funding is expected to come to a head in the coming weeks as lawmakers must finalize some sort of spending bill for the new fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1. Under consideration is a short-term Continuing Resolution that would extend current funding levels for two or three months while negotiating the details of a larger spending bill for the remainder of the fiscal year. The FY 2014 Energy and Water Appropriations bill that passed the House earlier this summer would provide $430 million for FE’s R&D program—a 13 percent cut compared to pre-sequester FY 2013 funding levels. The Senate version of the bill has yet to be considered by the full chamber but would set aside $420.6 million for Fossil Energy R&D, on par with the Obama Administration’s request but a 15 percent cut compared to FY 2013 levels.
