Victor Fazio: “H.R. 3322 seeks to create the impression that we are considering an omnibus civilian science proposal, but we are not.…”

“H.R. 3322 seeks to create the impression that we are considering an omnibus civilian science proposal, but we are not. Noticeably absent are the energy research and development [R&D] programs at the Department of Energy [DOE]. How do we explain the absence of about $4.7 billion in authorizations for the civilian science programs at DOE? Federal support for R&D is the quintessential investment in our Nation's future. Unfortunately, despite 50 years of strong bipartisan support, the Republican leadership now treats R&D as a low priority. The overall reduction would be $711 million below this year's funding and nearly $800 million below the President's proposal. Solar and renewable energy research would be cut 34 percent. Conservation energy R&D would be slashed 43 percent. Fuel Cell research would be cut 66 percent. And I would remind my colleagues that this is all being done in 1 year, not over 5 years or 7 years. We cannot let stand congressional proposals that endanger our ability to create more high-income jobs in developing industries as well as to promote safer, more cost-efficient and environmentally sensitive energy technologies. R&D is responsible for approximately one-half of the productivity improvements in the Nation's economy. Technological innovation is the single most important source of long-term economic growth, and the total economic return on investment in R&D is several times as high as for other forms of investment.”