House Energy and Water Appropriations Bill: Makes Progress but Could Do More to Cut Spending

This week, the Energy and Water appropriations bill is expected to be debated on the House floor. 

The second of 12 appropriations bills providing discretionary funding for the federal government, the bill provides funding for projects under the direction of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Reclamation, the Department of Energy, and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

The fiscal year (FY) 2017 Energy and Water appropriations bill provides $37.5 billion in discretionary budget authority, an increase of $259 million over the 2016 enacted level and $168 million above the President’s request. This is a modest increase compared to the almost $3 billion in new funding provided by last year’s omnibus appropriations act. The bill also includes a number of policy riders that will help to stop continued government overreach on environmental issues.

US House spending bill would cut DOE renewables, boost nuclear

The US House Appropriations Committee on Wednesday passed on to the full chamber a Department of Energy spending bill that would cut $345 million from the agency's fiscal 2013 budget, providing it with $26.1 billion, and would shift emphasis from renewable energy and energy efficiency to fossil fuels and nuclear power.

"While the decisions involved were difficult ... I am proud that this committee will be the tip of the spear in helping to restore sustainability to the agency budgets within this bill," said Representative Hal Rogers, the committee chairman and a Kentucky Republican.