Many science and environmental agencies could see significant funding increases if Congress approves Biden’s budget proposal. This was first shared with CNN.
The US Department of Energy would be receiving $48.2 Billion, the Environmental Protection Agency $11.9 Billion, and the US Department of Interior $17.6 Billion — all significant funding increases over the Trump-era funding levels each agency had when Biden took office.
Although the President’s budget is a guideline for the administration’s priorities, Congress has final say and rarely approves every item on the list. The White House’s request for climate and clean energy increases is a sign of how important they are to Biden’s agenda.
The administration proposes to increase funding for programs that support clean energy production in the US. It’s putting more emphasis on programs to lower energy prices for Americans, including programs that weatherize low-income households and funding for rural electric cooperatives.
“We’re trying multiple approaches across administration to lower energy costs,” said a source familiar about the President’s budget. “We’re going all out to lower energy prices. We’re using every lever and tool we have at our disposal.”
Russia’s war against Ukraine has impacted energy markets around the world and raised energy prices. Biden’s budget proposes $3.3Billion to boost domestic manufacturing of clean energy technology, accelerate the transition towards zero-emission vehicles and clean electricity, and to promote industrial practices that emit less carbon dioxide.
It also invests $5B in loans for projects that reduce, sequester or avoid greenhouse gas emissions. Additional loans are provided to domestic supply chains for crucial minerals like lithium, which help power electric cars.
Biden proposes $10.5 Billion in funding for the National Science Foundation. This includes over $900 Million specifically to fund research on climate and its effects on the US.
The budget also targets workers in the energy transformation, with over $9 billion — a 1 billion increase — in discretionary funds for programs to support job growth and economic revitalization in communities that use fossil fuels.
It also includes $200m for a new DOE program for solar manufacturing accelerator. This program is designed to make more solar panels in the United States, as many of the materials for solar panel production are currently imported from China.
Biden’s budget also includes funding to support environmental justice and grants for home weatherization and electrification, lowering their emissions. It includes $1.45Billion for EPA programs on environment justice and $3Billion for Interior programs in the President’s Justice40 initiative. This initiative aims to ensure that at least 40% of federal funds for climate or clean energy go to low-income communities.