On Wednesday, the House Energy and Water Development Appropriations Subcommittee heard testimony from Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu on the Department of Energy’s (DOE) budget request for Fiscal Year 2010. The committee raised concerns over a wide range of issues including; stimulus spending, energy innovation hubs, nuclear energy, battery development, loan guarantees, clean coal, and the Yucca Mountain Waste Repository.

The hearing, chaired by Rep. Pastor (R-AZ) began with an announcement that he would be serving as Vice Chair overseeing the FY10 Energy and Water Appropriations Bill and that Representative Visclosky would remain Chair.

Early on in the hearing, Ranking Member Frelinghuysen (R-NJ) raised concerns over the leak of highly confidential nuclear security sites reported in the New York Times that morning. Secretary Chu eased concerns by saying, although he too had just learned of the problem, he would make sure labs were secure. Frelinghuysen also raised concerns over the lack of committee review on the Stimulus funding, and Secretary Chu gave assurances that the money was being spent well and that they were on track to have over half of it obligated by Labor Day. 

Several Members expressed concerns over funding for nuclear power , some like Rep. Wamp (R-TN) called for 100 new nuclear plants in 20 years. Questions were asked about DOE’s Loan Guarantee Program’s progress, funding , and the process for distributing loan guarantees for nuclear reactors. In response, Secretary Chu replied that they are in discussion with four applicants and the $18.5 in DOE’s budget is intended to cover 3 to 4 reactors.  

Other Members spent their time inquiring about the prospects of clean coal technology and the status of the Yucca Mountain Waste Repository. Secretary Chu reaffirmed DOE’s belief that coal is part of the nation’s energy future and confirmed for the committee that the Yucca Mountain project is off the table.

It’s clear some Members of the committee are eager to add on additional subsidies for nuclear power, clean coal technology and other subsidies in the year’s Energy and Water bill. Taxpayers will have to watch closely as the bill moves through the committee.

Members Present: Vice-Chairman Ed Pastor (D-AZ), Ranking Member Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-NJ), Chet Edwards (D-TX), Marion Berry (D-AR), Chaka Fattah (D-PA), Steve Israel (D-NY), John Olver (D-MA), John Salazar (D-CO), Zach Wamp (R-TN), Mike Simpson (R-ID), Dennis Rehberg (R-MT), Rodney Alexander (R-LA), Lincoln Davis (D-TN), Tim Ryan (D-OH).