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1 1 (May 10, 2023)

handle is hein.crs/govelpl0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Congr-a Wona R Fesedrch Service hnformino Ih lecisIlive deat sin'e 1914 Updated May 10, 2023 DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy FY2024 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. Other activities include issuing grants for home energy efficiency and state planning, 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 programs that support state and local governments, tribes, and schools. Further, EERE oversees and supports the research and infrastructure of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and its research and development on technologies for renewable energy and energy efficiency. E ERE Appropriations EERE receives funding through the annual Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies (E&W) appropriations bill. Under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, P.L. 117-328, EERE received $3.46 billion for FY2023, approximately $260 million more than the enacted FY2022 level of $3.20 billion (the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022; P.L. 117-103). In addition, EERE received funding through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA; P.L. 117-58). IIJA provided a total of $16.26 billion in additional emergency appropriations for EERE, of which $1.945 billion is directed to FY2024 (see Table 1). EERE also received $17.96 billion in additional funding through various provisions of P.L. 117-169 (often referred to as the Inflation Reduction Act, or IRA), enacted on August 16, 2022. The IRA funding is available from FY2022 to remain available through FY2026, FY2027, FY2029, or FY2031 depending on the provision. Executive Branch Actions For FY2024, the Biden Administration requested $3.83 billion for the EERE organization-10.6% higher than the FY2023 enacted level of $3.46 billion when including programs managed by the Undersecretary for Infrastructure (designated as S3 in the DOE organization), a position DOE created starting FY2023 and encompassing various programs previously administered with EERE. Of the FY2024 request for EERE, 4.7% was to be reserved for program direction. Including current EERE programs proposed to be managed by S3 rather than within the EERE organization, a total of $4.84 billion was requested, a 40% increase from the FY2023 enacted amount. Overall, DOE's stated goal for EERE funding is to invest in programmatic priority areas that are central pillars in lowering the U.S. greenhouse gas (GHG) profile. Specific proposed funding increases were aimed at decarbonization activities in the electricity sector, transportation, energy- intensive industries, the carbon footprint of buildings, and energy-related aspects of the agriculture sector especially the energy-water nexus. Other priorities included energy justice efforts under Justice40, an initiative of the Biden Administration in accordance with Executive Order 14008 to prioritize 40% of funding of certain federal investments for disadvantaged communities. As in FY2023, the FY2024 request proposed realigning funding to reflect new offices, functionally transferring some programs from EERE to S3 including the Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains (MESC); Office of State and Community Energy Programs (SCEP); and Office of Federal Energy Management Programs (FEMP). This meant the EERE request did not include funding for certain programs such as Weatherization-within the Weatherization and Intergovernmental Program control point-which the FY2024 budget request included in the $705 million request for SCEP. Under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, P.L. 117-328, the proposed offices were separated from the Energy Efficiency control point, but not from EERE. Legislative Actions Congress may also be interested in the role of Undersecretary for Infrastructure (i.e., S3) with responsibility for managing the three programs noted above that were appropriated within EERE in FY2023: MESC, SCEP, and FEMP. DOE is proposing to fund those programs within S3 as it had requested in FY2023. Congressional interest in EERE funding could include the large increase in certain program areas. Overall, EERE received large appropriations in the IIJA and IRA in addition to its annual appropriation. A number of issues arose during the March 23, 2023, hearing of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies. The President's FY2024 budget proposed a 40% increase in EERE compared to smaller increases for other parts of DOE. A Subcommittee Member asked what the impact would be on programs if DOE were to revert to the FY2022 level, which would be a 16% decrease for the EERE organization when not counting MESC, SCEP, and FEMP. Finally, a DOE-proposed rule on efficiency of natural gas cooking products (e.g., gas stoves) has raised concern among some House Appropriations Committee Members.

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