Daniel Inouye: “I am aware that the energy legislation does that, and I thank the chairman for including such support in the Energy…”

“I am aware that the energy legislation does that, and I thank the chairman for including such support in the Energy bill. Despite the support of Congress for this program in the past, and in the Energy bill, no funds are provided for the program in the Energy and Water appropriation now before us. This highly leveraged, efficiently managed program, with wide participation from the States, will not continue, even with the language included in the Energy bill, without strong support from the appropriations process. Would the chairman consider including such support for the program in the conference agreement on the Energy and Water appropriations bill by directing the Department to provide funds out of its regular programs at the level no less than the level Congress supported in the fiscal year 2005 appropriation for the program?”