Crs Report for Congress

Energy security, a major driver of federal renewable energy programs in the past, came back into play as oil and gas prices rose late in the year 2000. The terrorist attack in 2001 and the Iraq war have led to heightened concern about energy security, energy infrastructure vulnerability, and the need for alternative fuels. Further, the 2001 electricity shortages in California, the northeast-midwest blackout of 2003, and continuing high natural gas prices have brought a new emphasis to the role that renewable energy may play in producing electricity, displacing fossil fuel use, and curbing demand for power transmission equipment. Also, worldwide emphasis on environmental problems of air and water pollution and global climate change, the related development of clean energy technologies in western Europe and Japan, and technology competitiveness may remain important influences on renewable energy policymaking. The Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act for FY2006 (P.L. 109103, H.R. 2419) provides $1,185.7 million for DOE’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Programs. Of that amount, $238.6 million funds five renewable energy research and development (R&D) programs (biomass, solar, wind, geothermal, and small hydro). This amount is $8.2 million (3.3%) less than was appropriated in FY2005. Further, funding committed to congressionally earmarked …