FPN07-14

Energy Department Allocates FY 2007 Funds

March 17, 2007

In mid-February, the US Congress passed a Continuing Resolution (CR) funding the US government through September 30, 2007. The CR held most government programs (with some exceptions) to their FY 2006 levels but provided agencies broad authority to redistribute funds among sub-program elements. The US Department of Energy (DOE) was provided$23.6 billion, approximately the same as it received in FY 2006. On March 16, the DOE sent to Congress its planned distribution. The plan provides the Office of Fusion Energy Sciences with $319 million, an increase of $38 million over FY 2006 and equal to the President's original FY 2007 request. The DOE Office of Science receives $3.8 billion, an increase of $200 million over FY 2006.

Within DOE, the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) weapons programs receives $6.3 billion, an increase of approximately $100 million over FY 2006. Within NNSA, the Inertial Confinement Fusion Ignition and High Yield Campaign will receive $490 million, a decrease of $54 million from FY 2006. This decrease is partially offset by the tailing off of NIF construction costs by $29 million. However, within the category, funds for Inertial Fusion Technology are decreased to $26.4 million, from $47.5 million in FY 2006. This category provided funds in FY 2006 to support the High Average Power Laser (HAPL) program ($24.74 million, Naval Research Laboratory ($14,85 million), extended operations of Z facility ($5.94 million) and Ohio State University ($1.98 million).

The DOE also provided increases over FY 2006 to other programs, including Nuclear Energy (increase of $41 M), Coal (increase of $59 M), High Energy Physics (increase of $54 M), Nuclear Physics (increase of $65 M), Basic Energy Sciences (increase of $140 M), Hydrogen Technology (increase of $40 M), Solar Energy (increase of $77 M), and Wind Energy ($11 M).