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1 1 (May 27, 2021)

handle is hein.crs/govedlp0001 and id is 1 raw text is: C o g e s o a R e s a r c S e r v i c May 27, 2021 DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy: FY2021 Appropriations The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE's) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) is responsible for enabling renewable energy and end-use energy efficiency technology development and implementation. For example, EERE oversees vehicle technology, solar energy, advanced manufacturing, and weatherization programs. Other activities include participation in intergovernmental programs, establishing minimum energy conservation standards for appliances and equipment, and providing technical support. EERE collaborates with industry, academia, national laboratories, and others to conduct and support research, development, demonstration, and deployment activities. EERE also manages a portfolio of programs that support state and local governments, tribes, and school leaders. Further, EERE oversees and supports the research and infrastructure of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)-the only U.S. national laboratory solely dedicated to researching and developing renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. For FY2021, the Trump Administration requested that funding levels for EERE be reduced by more than 74% from FY2020 enacted levels. Of the FY2021 request for EERE, 17% would be reserved for program direction. EERE Appropriations EERE receives funding from the annual Energy and Water Development (E&W) appropriations bill. Under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, P.L. 116-260, EERE received $2.86 billion for FY2021, approximately $72 million more than the enacted FY2020 level of $2.79 billion (the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020; P.L. 116-94, Division C). From FY2018 to FY2021, appropriations for EERE averaged $2.59 billion annually in current dollars (see Table 1). EERE appropriations are split into four categories: (1) sustainable transportation, (2) renewable energy, (3) energy efficiency, and (4) corporate support (e.g., program administration and facilities). Averaging the appropriations for each category from FY2018 to FY2021 indicates that approximately 28% of the appropriations were spent on sustainable transportation, 23% on renewable energy, 39% on energy efficiency, and 11% on corporate support. Themes considered during the Energy and Water Development appropriations process for FY2021 include: * Supporting the Grid Modernization Initiative to improve reliability, resiliency, and affordability of electricity; Supporting research in vehicle technologies, bioenergy technologies, and hydrogen and fuel cell technologies; Supporting the integration of renewable energy and energy storage technologies and emissions-reducing technologies into nonelectric sectors; and Supporting energy efficiency research for the buildings and industrial sectors. Executive Branch Actions For FY2021, the Trump Administration requested $719.6 million for EERE-roughly a 74% reduction from the FY2020 enacted level of $2.79 billion. The Trump Administration proposed reductions in funding for sustainable transportation, renewable energy, and energy efficiency. The Trump Administration called for EERE to focus on early-stage research and development and long-range (5-15 years) transformation technologies, materials, and process, stating that industry typically focuses on near term (2-4 years) investments in marginal improvements to capacity or efficiency. To meet this objective, the request proposed to reduce funding for several EERE initiatives. The request would have terminated both the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) and the State Energy Program (SEP). Further, the request contained no funds for the five Clean Energy Manufacturing Innovation Institutes, and recommended that balances from prior-year appropriations be used to wind down and terminate the existing institutes. Legislative Actions Funding of EERE was of interest to the 116th Congress. Concerns included not only the level of EERE appropriations, but also which activities EERE should support. The 116th Congress continued to support the WAP and the SEP and increased funding for FY2021 for several energy efficiency programs compared to FY2020 enacted levels. For programs within sustainable transportation and renewable energy, some programs received funding increases, others received funding decreases, and some were stable compared to FY2020 enacted funding levels. The House-approved bill (H.R. 7617, Division C) included additional funding for EERE. Under Title VI, the House recommended $8.33 billion in emergency funding for weatherization improvements to low-income housing, energy efficiency and conservation block grants, and electric vehicle infrastructure. The Senate Appropriations Committee did not consider an FY2021 Energy and Water Development Appropriations bill, but the committee majority did issue a draft bill and explanatory statement. ittps://crsreports.congress.gt 0

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