House Committee questions Moniz on Department of Energy budget

The Energy and Power Subcommittee, part of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, held a hearing on Wednesday examining the Department of Energy’s (DOE) FY 2017 budget request.

Committee members questioned Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz on a variety of topics related to the department’s budget.

Energy and Power Vice Chairman Pete Olson (R-TX) took umbrage with a proposed $10 tax on barrels of oil, while Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) stressed the importance of cabinet-level leadership for DOE’s nuclear security mission to be successful.

“This budget continues to reflect the president’s priorities and treats climate change as DOE’s overriding concern,” Whitfield said. “Access to affordable and reliable energy is key to stimulating economic growth and strengthening our global competitiveness and it should be a priority for this agency. In contrast, putting climate first increases energy costs, restrains growth, destroys jobs, and reduces household spending power, especially low-income households. We can do much better than this budget; we must prioritize affordable energy, economic growth, and jobs.”

Parts of the DOE budget include a request for $12.9 billion for energy, science and related programs. This request represents a $2.8 billion increase from the FY 2016 enacted level.