Renewable energy groups express concerns about proposed Energy Department budget cuts

Several renewable energy groups recently sent a letter to members of House and Senate Appropriations Committees urging them to continue funding for various Department of Energy (DoE) programs

“We write to express the serious concern of the U.S. renewable energy industry regarding proposed
cuts to the [DoE’s] budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2019, and to encourage you to continue current funding levels for vital DOE programs in FY 2018 appropriations,” the letter said.

The proposed budget includes cutting more than $1.9 billion from energy innovation and deployment programs, a 43 percent reduction from current annualized funding levels. It also proposed a 66 percent cut of $1.3 billion to the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) and elimination of the Advanced Research Programs Agency – Energy (ARPA-E) program.

“We believe that such cuts in FY 2018 or FY 2019 would seriously jeopardize America’s leadership in cutting-edge research on clean energy technologies and harm our country’s overall competitiveness in a rapidly growing global industry that presents a multi-trillion-dollar business opportunity,” the groups said in the letter.

The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE), the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), the Geothermal Resources Council (GRC), the National Hydropower Association (NHA) and the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) sent the letter to Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Thad Cochran (R-MS), Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Committee Patrick Leahy (D-VT), House Appropriations Committee Chair Rodney P. Frelinghuysen (R-NJ), and Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee Nita M. Lowey (D-NY).

“Advanced energy technologies represent a multi-trillion-dollar opportunity for American businesses
and workers,” the letter said. “We respectfully urge you to continue current funding levels for these important programs supporting research and development of clean energy and innovative energy technologies in your FY 2018 appropriations and to oppose the proposed cuts in the FY 2019 budget.”