Rodney Frelinghuysen: “I thank the gentleman for yielding. Your amendment would shift an additional $39 million within Fossil Energy Research…”

“I thank the gentleman for yielding. Your amendment would shift an additional $39 million within Fossil Energy Research and Development to program direction. I recognize the important role that the Fossil Energy Research and Development program plays in securing our energy future, especially when 70 percent of our energy comes from fossil sources. And I certainly recognize your strong advocacy as a gentleman from West Virginia, and the important role in fossil fuel that your State plays, providing such for the Nation. I also recognize the critical role scientists and their research at our national laboratories--including the one in your State, NETL--play in keeping our Nation in the lead in fossil energy technologies. Our bill demonstrates this support by funding Fossil Energy Research and Development at $32 billion above the fiscal year 2011 level. The bill also, however, increases the transparency of these programs by moving research and development out of program direction and into research programs. With that change included in the bill, the Department of Energy still has the authority to fund laboratory personnel doing valuable work at the national labs. However, recognizing my colleague's concerns, we would be happy to work with the gentleman as we move toward conference to ensure that salaries and expenses for ongoing activities are fully funded while increasing the transparency of ongoing research. Mr. McKINLEY. Mr.…”