[Senate Hearing 117-415]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
S. Hrg. 117-415
ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT
APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2022
=======================================================================
HEARINGS
BEFORE A
SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE
COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS UNITED STATES SENATE
ONE HUNDRED SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
FIRST SESSION
ON
H.R. 4549/S. 2605
AN ACT MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FOR ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT FOR THE
FISCAL YEAR ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2022, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
__________
Department of Defense--Civil
Department of Energy
Department of the Interior
Nondepartmental Witnesses
__________
Printed for the use of the Committee on Appropriations
[GRAPHIC NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]
Available via the World Wide Web: http://www.govinfo.gov
__________
U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE
44-168 PDF WASHINGTON : 2023
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COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
PATRICK LEAHY, Vermont, Chairman
PATTY MURRAY, Washington RICHARD C. SHELBY, Alabama, Vice
DIANNE FEINSTEIN, California Chairman
RICHARD J. DURBIN, Illinois MITCH McCONNELL, Kentucky
JACK REED, Rhode Island SUSAN M. COLLINS, Maine
JON TESTER, Montana LISA MURKOWSKI, Alaska
JEANNE SHAHEEN, New Hampshire LINDSEY GRAHAM, South Carolina
JEFF MERKLEY, Oregon ROY BLUNT, Missouri
CHRISTOPHER A. COONS, Delaware JERRY MORAN, Kansas
BRIAN SCHATZ, Hawaii JOHN HOEVEN, North Dakota
TAMMY BALDWIN, Wisconsin JOHN BOOZMAN, Arkansas
CHRISTOPHER MURPHY, Connecticut SHELLEY MOORE CAPITO, West
JOE MANCHIN, III, West Virginia Virginia
CHRIS VAN HOLLEN, Maryland JOHN KENNEDY, Louisiana
MARTIN HEINRICH, New Mexico CINDY HYDE-SMITH, Mississippi
MIKE BRAUN, Indiana
BILL HAGERTY, Tennessee
MARCO RUBIO, Florida
Charles E. Kieffer, Staff Director
Shannon Hutcherson Hines, Minority Staff Director
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Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development
DIANNE FEINSTEIN, California, Chairman
PATTY MURRAY, Washington JOHN KENNEDY, Louisiana, Ranking
JON TESTER, Montana MITCH McCONNELL, Kentucky
RICHARD J. DURBIN, Illinois RICHARD C. SHELBY, Alabama
JEANNE SHAHEEN, New Hampshire SUSAN M. COLLINS, Maine
JEFF MERKLEY, Oregon LISA MURKOWSKI, Alaska
CHRISTOPHER A. COONS, Delaware LINDSEY GRAHAM, South Carolina
TAMMY BALDWIN, JOHN HOEVEN, North Dakota
MARTIN HEINRICH, CINDY HYDE-SMITH, Mississippi
PATRICK LEAHY, Vermont, (ex BILL HAGERTY, Tennessee
officio)
Professional Staff
Doug Clapp
Jen Becker-Pollet
Aaron Goldner
Laura Powell
Tyler Owens (Minority)
Jen Armstrong (Minority)
Nora Khalil (Minority)
Administrative Support
Teri Curtin
Sydney Crawford (Minority)
C O N T E N T S
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HEARINGS
Wednesday, June 9, 2021
Page
Department of Defense--Civil: Department of the Army; Corps of
Engineers--Civil............................................... 1
Department of the Interior: Bureau of Reclamation................ 14
Wednesday, June 23, 2021
Department of Energy: Office of the Secretary.................... 35
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BACK MATTER
List of Witnesses, Communications, and Prepared Statements....... 173
Nondepartmental Witnesses........................................ 75
Subject Index.................................................... 175
Department of Defense--Civil................................. 175
Department of the Army................................... 175
Corps of Engineers--Civil................................ 175
Department of Energy......................................... 175
Office of the Secretary.................................. 175
Department of the Interior................................... 175
Bureau of Reclamation.................................... 175
ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2022
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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 2021
U.S. Senate,
Subcommittee of the Committee on Appropriations,
Washington, DC.
The subcommittee met at 10:04 a.m. in room SD-192, Dirksen
Senate Office Building, Hon. Dianne Feinstein (chairwoman)
presiding.
Present: Senators Feinstein, Tester, Heinrich, Kennedy,
Hoeven, Hyde-Smith, and Hagerty.
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE--CIVIL
Department of the Army
Corps of Engineers--Civil
STATEMENT OF MR. JAMIE PINKHAM, ACTING ASSISTANT
SECRETARY OF THE ARMY (CIVIL WORKS)
opening statement of senator dianne feinstein
Senator Feinstein. And the subcommittee on Energy and Water
Development is in order. Today's hearing we will review the
President's Fiscal 2022 Budget Request for the United States
Army Corps of Engineers and the Bureau of Reclamation.
Ranking Member Kennedy and I will each have an opening
statement. Then I will recognize each Senator for an opening
statement, if they wish to make one.
We will then turn to our witnesses to present testimony on
behalf of the Corps and the Bureau. Each witness will be
allowed 5 minutes for opening remarks. At the conclusion of the
witness testimony, I will then recognize Senators for 5 minutes
of questions each, alienating between--excuse me--alternating
between the majority and minority in the order in which they
arrived.
I would like to welcome our witnesses. And thank each of
you for being here today. We have, Mr. Jamie, Pinkham, the
acting assistant secretary of the Army for Civil Works;
Lieutenant General Scott Spellmon, Chief of Engineers for the
United States Corps of Engineers; and Mr. David Palumbo, Deputy
Commissioner of Operations for the Bureau of Reclamation at the
Department of Interior.
I want to just thank the Army Corps and the Bureau for
their very hard work in managing what is becoming an
increasingly challenging water situation in California.
California and other western states are in the midst of a
mega drought caused by years of warming temperatures and failed
rainy seasons, reducing critical snowpack that feed our rivers.
The crippling cycle of drought, temperature increases, and
severe weather is also affecting the frequency and size of our
wildfires. Climate change, of course, is a major contributing
cause of these changes. And I am really encouraged by this
administration's commitment to address climate change and
improve the Nation's infrastructure.
Unfortunately, though, the commitment to battle global
warming is not, as I see it, reflected in the Army Corps of
Engineers fiscal year 2022 budget request.
In fact, the proposed funding levels, Senator Kennedy and
Senator Tester, are less than what Congress appropriated last
year. First, the Army Corps' budget request represents more
than a-billion-dollar cut to the Civil Works program. I am
really disappointed that this administration has fallen to the
same pattern of underfunding the Corps' budget.
There are some bright spots, however, in the Army Corps
request. I am very pleased to see a more proactive effort in
the proposed budget for recommending new construction projects.
This will be the first time in 4 years that the Corps has done
this. So it is appreciated. I also appreciate the Corps'
inclusion of important dam and flood control projects for
California, including the Whittier Dam and West Sacramento
levees. These investments are really critical to California. So
I thank you on behalf of my State.
With smart planning and innovative green infrastructure
ideas, every project should be able to result in multiple
benefits, when we dredge channels to maintain navigation, that
fill material can be strategically placed to restore wetlands
and combat sea level rise as the Corps has started to do in San
Francisco Bay. And thank you very much for that as well.
This brings me to the Bureau of Reclamation budget, which
is particularly critical to my State given its operation of the
Central Valley Project and water delivery infrastructure
throughout the State. Reclamation's request for the water and
related resources account is $145 million less than what we
appropriated last year, General.
I am very thankful for the $184 million investment in the
Central Valley Project, but I am deeply disappointed that the
administration requested none of the $206 million we included
in last year's bill for implementation of the drought-related
provisions in the 2016 WIIN (Water Infrastructure Improvements
to the Nation) Act.
For me, the WIIN Act is key to developing long-term
solutions to worsening drought and other extreme weather
events. There is no way that I can see, after more than 20
years on this committee, that the west can survive the extreme
drought without more investment in infrastructure to carry
water from wet years to dry ones.
The Bureau and several States have already drastically
reduced water allocations. We need additional drought funding
now to help water users in the environment get through the
year. So I asked the Bureau to work with me on identifying
projects that could be implemented in a 6- to 12-month
timeframe that could help farmers, cities and the environment
survive next year if this winter is another drought concern.
Dam security, and let me touch on this because if things go
bad, it could be devastating, dam security remains a big
priority of mine. I would like to thank and applaud the Bureau
for more than double funding for dam safety and rehabilitation
projects from $86.5 million to $182.5 million, this will allow
for $130 million in critically-needed repairs to the BF Sisk
Dam, which is not only at high risk, but is also a key hub for
California's water delivery system.
I am also very pleased to see the Army Corps continues to
focus efforts on dams with the most significant safety issues,
such as Whittier in Los Angeles.
Last year, we provided $12 million for the Army Corps
Whittier program to provide low-interest loans for local dam
safety projects. I encouraged the Corps and the administration
to prioritize this program. Whittier should be a part of the
administration's plan to invest in infrastructure. And I hope
to hear more about it today.
I would now like to recognize my distinguished Ranking
Member Kennedy for his opening statement.
statement of senator john kennedy
Senator Kennedy. Thank you, Madam Chair. I want to thank
our witnesses today for being here. I want to thank you for
giving so much to our country. I want to thank my team, my
ranking member team for their hard work, especially--many of
you know him--but I especially want to thank Bubba [phonetic]
from my office, better known as Kennedy's brain when it comes
to really technical details.
It is a real pleasure for me to--a real joy for me to serve
with Senator Feinstein. She is, and I am not just saying that,
we have had--we have spent a lot of time together on the
Judiciary Committee. She is an institutional compass for the
Senate. When you get lost, you pull out your compass. And she
has served that role for many, many years, and I have--and will
continue to serve that role for many, many years--and I have
learned an awful lot from just watching her and listening to
her.
Before I give them opening statement, I do want to
recognize my good friend, Senator Tester, who, if you have not
read it, he rocked a front page article in The Wall Street
Journal this week. I mean, he rocked it. Okay. If you will go
read it, you are going to want to follow him on Facebook. So he
cannot say anything yet so I can--he will get his turn.
Let me just say a word about Louisiana. We are a State that
has a lot of water. We deal with storm surge from the Gulf of
Mexico, during hurricanes and tropical storms, and that is
ordinary for us, even in ordinary times, we deal with a lot of
water. Lately, we have had to deal with isolated rainstorms,
people who don't live near a tributary or a body of water, have
flooded.
And I don't--I don't profess to know why this is happening,
and in the grand scheme of things, and in the long arc of
history, maybe this is not unusual. But I do know this. If you
get 8, 10, 12, 14 inches of rain in a short period of time you
are going to flood. I don't care whether you are in the desert
or on top of Pikes Peak.
The Mississippi River, of course, runs through our State.
We are blessed. It goes from the top of our State to the bottom
of our State. It has the third largest drainage basin in the
entire world, not the United States, the entire world. It is
exceeded in size only by the watersheds of the Amazon and Congo
Rivers. And now that is something--that is a blessing, but it
can also cause issues.
Our basin drains 41 percent of the 48 contiguous States of
these United States. So this is not just a Louisiana jam, an
issue. It is a national issue. Our basin, the Mississippi River
Basin covers more than 1.25 thousand square miles. It includes
all our parks of 31 States and two Canadian provinces. It
roughly resembles a funnel, just like this, which has its spout
at the Gulf of Mexico. I am not telling you, generally, I know
anything you don't know, but I just think it is important to
emphasize this.
Water from as far away as New York, and as far west as
Montana contributes to the flows into the Mississippi River, so
the work of the U.S. Corps of Engineers to say it is vital to
America and to Louisiana is a gross understatement. We need
your help with flood control, we need your help with storm
protection projects, and just as we need help from our
government with respect to the fires in California, and the
lack of water in some respects in their State.
Because we are talking about--we are not just talking about
projects, and I know you know this, we are talking about human
life, we are talking about humanity, and we are talking about
property that people work very hard for.
Now, I just wanted to include these pictures, everybody
loves pictures. This is a project that was authorized after
Hurricane Katrina, you know it well; it struck New Orleans.
Thank you, American taxpayer, and thank you Corps of Engineers
for helping Louisiana when we were on our knees. This started
in August of 2005, the planning for these projects. Katrina, of
course, killed about 1,600 people in my State and destroyed the
lives of many, many more.
This project provides storm protection for the New Orleans
region, not just New Orleans, but for the entire region, which
is with you, together, we just built levees around the entire
area, not just the city, we used levees and seawalls. We, you,
together, we constructed the largest surge barrier of its kind.
And this project also, as you know, includes the world's
largest, not the United States' largest, the world's largest
pump station. It is known as the Hurricane and Storm Damage
Risk Reduction System. And, I just wanted to mention it. Maybe
we will talk about it later.
Thank you again for your service.
Senator Feinstein. Thank you, Senator, for your words.
Senator Tester, would you like to make a statement?
Senator Tester. I will be brief. Thank you, Chairwoman
Feinstein.
Senator Feinstein. You are welcome.
statement of senator jon tester
Senator Tester. It is good to be on the committee again
under your leadership. And I look forward to working with
Senator Kennedy. He is no Lamar Alexander, but he is a close
second. Let's put it that way.
And I would just say this, simply put, water is life. And,
you guys have a lot of work to do. This budget is going to be
critically important. As Senator Kennedy has already pointed,
Montana is a headwater State, how we utilize our water, and how
it is kept clean and functional is critically important, both
for drinking water, and for irrigation primarily.
I am one who believes that economic development is going
to--it has been--but it is going to continue to revolve around
water resources. And so your job is really important. I would
just say one thing. There is a lot of talk about resiliency,
most time when you talk about resiliency you are talking about
climate change and it needs to be resilient to climate change
and effective during a changing climate.
We also need to be aware that we need to have resiliency is
as it applies to cyber. And that is also very, very important
moving forward in projects where they can be impacted by
potential cyber criminals.
So with that, I look forward to working with the witnesses,
and the people on this committee to get a budget that works for
America when it comes to our water resources. Thank you all for
being here.
Senator Feinstein. Thank you very much, Senator Tester.
Senator Hyde-Smith, would you like to make some comments?
Senator Hyde-Smith. Just appreciate everyone being here,
and what you do. And Senator Kennedy could not have said it
better because I am from Mississippi, the Mississippi Rivers.
Thank you.
Senator Feinstein. Thank you very much. Shall we proceed
now with the testimony?
Each witness has 5 minutes. Your written statements will be
entered into the record. I would like to start with Mr.
Pinkham, followed by General Spellmon, and then Mr. Palumbo. If
that is agreeable, please proceed.
summary statement of mr. jamie pinkham
Mr. Pinkham. Thank you. Chairwoman Feinstein, Ranking
Member Kennedy, and members of this committee, thank you for
the opportunity to be here today, to discuss the President's
Budget Request for the Civil Works Program of the Army Corps of
Engineers.
The fiscal year 2022 budget request provides roughly $6.8
billion for the Army Civil Works program, which is the highest
annual budget ever proposed with a focus on investments that
yield economic and environmental returns, increasing resiliency
to climate change, facilitating safe, reliable, and sustainable
commercial navigation, and accelerating and improving the water
delivery resource projects.
This budget relies on a foundation of strong relationships
between the Corps and local communities, which allows us to
work together to develop, manage, restore, and protect the
Nation's water resources. And the budget does focus on the
highest performing missions of the Army Civil Works program:
commercial navigation, flood, and storm damage reduction and
aquatic ecosystem restoration.
In the budget we want to advance two key objectives. One,
as the committee has talked about, is increasing infrastructure
and ecosystem resilience to climate change and decreasing
climate risks for communities based on the best available
science, also promoting environmental justice in disadvantaged
communities in line with the administration's Justice40
Initiative, and creating good-paying jobs for the American
people.
The Budget supports a Corps program that has a diverse set
of tools and approaches to working with local communities,
whether this means funding projects with our cost-share
partners, providing pioneering assistance and technical
expertise to help communities make better informed decisions,
or participating in the national and international
conversations on how to best address our water resources
challenges.
The Budget also focuses on maintaining the vast water
resources infrastructure that the Corps owns and manages, and
on finding innovative ways to rehabilitate it or transfer
ownership to willing recipients.
For example, the Budget includes $13 million to complete
six new major rehabilitation studies for inland waterways,
locks and dams, and $2 million to investigate disposition of
completed projects.
At the top of the budget, the 2022 budget, it is funding:
investigations at $106 million, the construction account is
$1.8 billion, O&M (Operation and Maintenance) is at $2.5
billion, the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund $1.6 billion, the
Inland Waterways Trust Fund at $52 million, the Mississippi
River and Tributaries account at $270 million, flood control
and coastal emergencies at $35 million, the regulatory program
is at $204.4 million, the expenses for the Army Corps of
Engineers $199.3 million, and the Office of the Assistant
Secretary at $5 million.
Of this, the Corps will use $3.4 billion to invest in
projects that will facilitate commercial navigation, $1.7
billion to help reduce the risk of damages from floods and
storms, and $501 million to restore aquatic ecosystems to a
more natural condition.
Among these amounts in terms of the resiliency to climate
change: $38 million will go to energy and water conservation
measures at Corps projects, $23 million to updates to water
control manuals, $8 million for charging--for changing the
infrastructure needed to support a fleet of zero-emission
vehicles, and $6 million to evaluate ways to increase the
resilience of Corps' infrastructure over the longer term. And
we look to the American Jobs Plan too, with the hope that
additional resources will be brought to improve the ports and
the waterways.
The Budget includes $350 million for the South Florida
Everglades Restoration Program, a $100 million increase, or 40
percent above the 2021 enacted level. And Everglades
Restoration Funding is also included in the American Jobs Plan.
Taken together, we hope for a robust amount of funding to
continue the significant progress on this ecosystem restoration
program.
There is also, within the budget, funding to initiate new
work, including studies in Florida, Idaho, the eight States on
a Great Lakes coastal area, New York, Rhode Island, South
Carolina, and Wyoming.
The budget includes funding to initiate construction at
four new projects, including West Sacramento in California,
McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System, in Arkansas,
Norfolk Harbor Channels in Virginia, and a project that will be
both initiated and completed in Maryland, the Anacostia
Watershed Restoration.
In addition, we look to complete two additional projects,
Calumet Harbor and river in Illinois and Indiana, and a project
at the mouth of the Columbia River between Oregon and
Washington.
Within the budget, $1.6 billion is being proposed to be
derived from the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund, included in
that is $787 million that would be used to support commercial
navigation at the top 50 U.S. coastal ports across the Nation,
which handle around 90 percent of the waterborne cargo that is
shipped to or from the United States in foreign commerce. $252
million for operation and maintenance of Great Lakes projects,
and $63 million for five construction projects that will
accommodate disposal of material dredged from coastal
navigation projects.
Within the budget there is also $10 million for new,
innovative funding partnerships, which support the Corps'
efforts to accelerate and improve the delivery of water through
greater non-Federal participation to encourage State, Tribal,
local, and private parties to move forward with investments
they deem as priorities.
In addition, the budget also proposes to return
responsibility for management of the Formerly Utilized Sites,
Remedial Action Program, FUSRAP for short, back to the
Department of Energy. The budget will also begin the process of
addressing the climate crisis as outlined in Executive Order
14008, tackling the climate crisis at home and abroad. The Army
will evaluate the Civil Works program to identify the
appropriate actions the agency can take to support this policy
objective in moving forward.
The Army is also committed to securing environmental
justice and spurring economic opportunity for disadvantaged
communities that have been historically marginalized and
overburdened by pollution and experience underinvestment in
essential services.
And so we will work with the Army to ensure that 40 percent
of the benefits of climate and clean energy investments are
directed to these disadvantaged communities, and we will begin
to track how program expenditures can help impact, positively
impact the disadvantaged communities, and consider metrics that
will help track how our program benefits, accrue to help these
communities.
Now, I am honored to have been selected for this position
to help implement the President's priorities for the Army Civil
Works Program. I have been on board for just shy of 2 months,
but I have had the opportunity to make two trips in the State
of Washington, as well as another trip in West Virginia, and
Ohio. And I will be visiting sites in Delaware next week.
And I am grateful for the relationship that I have been
building with General Spellmon and his staff. And I am
impressed with the professionalism, the relationship they are
working hard to develop with local communities, individuals
who, as partners with so many members of society, working to
advance the Army Corps, Civil Works mission.
There is a lot that needs to be done, as outlined by this
committee this morning. And I am excited to be a part of this
team working alongside you to serve this Nation.
Thank you for inviting me here today. And I look forward to
your questions.
[The statement follows:]
Prepared Statement of Mr. Jaime A. Pinkham
Chairwoman Feinstein, Ranking Member Kennedy and distinguished
members of the committee, thank you for the opportunity to be here
today to discuss the President's Budget request for the Civil Works
program of the Army Corps of Engineers.
The Fiscal Year 2022 Budget request provides roughly $6.8 billion
for the Army Civil Works program, which is the highest annual budget
ever proposed, with a focus on investments that will yield high
economic and environmental returns, increasing resiliency to climate
change; facilitating safe, reliable and sustainable commercial
navigation; and accelerating and improving the delivery of water
resources projects.
This Budget relies on a foundation of strong relationships between
the Corps and local communities, which allow us to work together to
help develop, manage, restore, and protect the Nation's water
resources.
The Budget focuses on the highest performing work within the three
main missions of the Army Civil Works program:
--commercial navigation,
--flood and storm damage reduction, and
--aquatic ecosystem restoration.
In developing the Budget, consideration was given to advancing two
key objectives including: (1) increasing infrastructure and ecosystem
resilience to climate change and decreasing climate risk for
communities based on the best available science; and (2) promoting
environmental justice in disadvantaged communities in line with
Justice40 and creating good paying jobs that provide the free and fair
chance to join a union and collectively bargain.
The Budget supports a Corps program that has a diverse set of tools
and approaches to working with local communities, whether this means
funding projects with our cost-sharing partners, providing planning
assistance and technical expertise to help communities make better
risk-informed decisions, or participating in the national and
international conversations on how to best address our water resources
challenges.
The Budget also focuses on maintaining the vast water resources
infrastructure that the Corps owns and manages, and on finding
innovative ways to rehabilitate it or transfer ownership to willing
recipients. For example, the Budget includes $13 million to complete
six new major rehabilitation studies for inland waterways locks and
dams and $2 million to investigate disposition of completed projects.
The FY 2022 Investigations account is funded at $106 million, the
Construction account at $1.8 billion, the Operation and Maintenance
account at $2.5 billion, the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund at $1.6
billion, the Inland Waterways Trust Fund at $52 million, and the
Mississippi River and Tributaries account at $270 million. Other
accounts include the Flood Control and Coastal Emergencies account at
$35 million, the Regulatory Program account at $204.4 million, the
Expenses account at $199.3 million and the Office of the Assistant
Secretary of the Army for Civil Works account at $5 million.
The Army Corps will use $3.4 billion of these funds to invest in
projects and activities that will facilitate commercial navigation,
$1.7 billion to help reduce the risk of damages from floods and storms,
and $501 million to restore aquatic ecosystems to a more natural
condition. These amounts include:
--$75 million to increase the resilience of Corps infrastructure to
climate change, including $38 million for energy and water
conservation measures at Corps projects, $23 million for
updates to water control manuals at Corps projects that will
account for a changing climate, $8 million for the charging
infrastructure needed to support a Federal fleet of Zero
Emission Vehicles, and $6 million to evaluate ways to increase
the resilience of Corps infrastructure over the longer term;
and
--$29 million for Corps technical and planning assistance programs,
through which the Corps is able to enable states and local
communities to take steps to reduce their flood risks including
risks associated with climate change. For example, the Budget
supports Corps participation in joint Federal-State interagency
teams known as the Silver Jackets, which work at the state
level to help local communities to understand their flood risks
and identify options to help them manage those risks, with
emphasis on non-structural approaches.
The American Jobs Plan also includes an additional $8 billion over
five years for the Corps to improve ports and waterways.
The Budget includes $350 million for the South Florida Everglades
Restoration (SFER) program. The SFER request of $350 million is a $100
million increase, or 40 percent, to the 2021 enacted level. SFER
funding is also included in the American Jobs Plan. Taken together, a
robust amount of funding is proposed for SFER, enabling significant
progress on this ecosystem restoration program.
The FY 2022 Budget includes funding to initiate seven new studies--
Central & Southern Florida Flood Resiliency (Section 216), FL; Boise
River, Garden City, Ada County, ID; Great Lakes Coastal Resiliency
Study, IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, PA, NY & WI; Spring Creek South, Jamaica Bay
(Howard Beach), Queens, NY; Little Narragansett Bay, RI; Waccamaw
River, Horry County, SC; and Little Goose Creek, Sheridan, WY.
The FY 2022 Budget also includes funding to initiate construction
at four new projects--McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System,
Three Rivers, AR; West Sacramento, CA; Anacostia Watershed Restoration,
Prince George's County, MD; and Norfolk Harbor and Channels, VA
(Deepening) as well as to complete three construction projects--Calumet
Harbor and River, IL & IN; Columbia River at the Mouth, OR/WA; and
Anacostia Watershed Restoration, Prince George's County, MD.
Within the $1.6 billion proposed in the FY 2022 Budget to be
derived from the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund, $787 million would be
used to support commercial navigation at the top 50 U.S. coastal ports
across the Nation, which handle around 90 percent of the waterborne
cargo that is shipped to or from the Unities States in foreign
commerce; $252 million for operation and maintenance of Great Lakes
projects; $58 million for projects that support access by Native
American tribes to their legally recognized historic fishing areas; and
$63 million for five construction projects that will accommodate
disposal of material dredged from coastal navigation projects.
The FY 2022 Budget proposes $10 million for a new Innovative
Funding Partnership program, which supports Corps efforts to accelerate
and improve the delivery of water through greater non-Federal
participation, and by removing barriers that prevent State, local, and
private parties from moving forward with investments that they deem
priorities. In addition, the Budget also proposes to return
responsibility for management of the Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial
Action Program (FUSRAP) back to the Department of Energy (DOE).
Consolidation of FUSRAP with the other DOE cleanup programs under a
single agency will allow DOE to consider a broader range of federal
cleanup responsibilities in prioritizing work each fiscal year and
result in efficiencies for taxpayers and the Army Corps would continue
to perform cleanup of FUSRAP sites on a reimbursable basis with DOE.
The FY 2022 Budget begins the process of addressing the climate
crisis. As outlined in Executive Order 14008, Tackling the Climate
Crisis at Home and Abroad, the Army will evaluate the Civil Works
program to identify the appropriate actions the agency can take to
support this policy objective in the FY 2023 Budget. The Army is also
committed to securing environmental justice and spurring economic
opportunity for disadvantaged communities that have been historically
marginalized and overburdened by pollution and experience
underinvestment in essential services. The Army will actively work
towards ensuring 40 percent of the benefits of climate and clean energy
investments are directed to disadvantaged communities. These actions
will include an examination of the activities of key programs to
determine whether those programs' benefits have accrued to
disadvantaged communities. The Army will also begin to track program
expenditures that impact disadvantaged communities and consider metrics
that will help track how applicable covered program benefits accrue at
specific disadvantaged communities.
Finally, I would like to highlight one of the initiatives proposed
in the Budget--an important technical change to the account structure
of the Corps, which would improve our ability to oversee the spending
financed through our two navigation trust funds. This proposal involves
changes to the appropriations language for the Construction, Operation
and Maintenance, and Mississippi River and Tributaries accounts, as
well as the adoption of appropriations language for the Harbor
Maintenance and Inland Waterways Trust Funds. It is needed and would
enable greater transparency and accountability in how these funds are
budgeted and spent.
I am very honored to have been selected for this position, to help
implement the President's priorities for the Army Civil Works program.
I have been on-board for just a month or so. And, I've had the
opportunity to make two short trips--one to Tacoma Harbor in Washington
State, and another to multiple sites throughout West Virginia and
northern Ohio. I have been very impressed with the professionalism and
dedication of the Corps of Engineers employees, who build and maintain
water resources facilities for our primary Civil Works missions. There
is much work to be done, I'm excited to be a part of this great team--
serving our Nation.
Thank you all for inviting me here today. I look forward to your
questions.
Senator Feinstein. And thank you very much. I appreciate
it. Thank you very much.
Next, please, General.
STATEMENT OF LIEUTENANT GENERAL SCOTT A. SPELLMON,
CHIEF OF ENGINEERS AND COMMANDING GENERAL,
U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS
General Spellmon. Thank you, and good morning. Chairwoman
Feinstein, Ranking Member Kennedy, and distinguished members of
the subcommittee. Thank you for the opportunity to testify
today.
I have been in command of the Corps for a little bit over 8
months now, and I would like to provide just a few brief
highlights of the work our team is accomplishing as we are
already making progress on three of my initial focus areas. And
those are: transforming our organization for the increased
workload, expanding research and development, and strengthening
our already talented workforce.
These are just a few of the key initiatives that we will
use to optimally leverage annual appropriations, meet the
priorities of both the administration's--the administration and
the Congress, and ultimately deliver on our vision. And that is
to engineer solutions for our Nation's toughest challenges.
Over the past several years, the Corps has delivered an
annual Civil Works program between $7- to $8 billion. And I
would like to further develop that competency into one that can
deliver double that benefit by stretching our dollars further
through better partnering practices, revolutionizing our
processes, and seeking efficiencies with functional pilot
programs. Our Nation is again seeking to renew its
infrastructure, and the Corps is poised to support this pivotal
modernization.
Some examples of the initiatives include the Corps'
continued efforts to build upon public-private partnerships and
other innovative financing solutions. We are all also working
to streamline our regulatory program by providing
straightforward, common-sense rules, but we continue to face
challenges with a static funding stream during an ever-
increasing demand on these resources.
We will continue to seek efficiencies in project delivery
by reducing cost, optimizing schedules, and eliminating
unnecessary redundancies. We have successfully validated a
number of these concepts through implementation of the regional
dredge demonstration program, on the Gulf Coast; and we look
forward to applying those concepts in other regions, as well as
furthering potential efficiencies in our navigation program, by
advancing the beneficial use of dredged material.
I feel strongly that in order to achieve our vision, we
also need to elevate our research and development programs; we
are working to expand our R&D initiatives and strengthen our
partnerships with academic institutions to leverage our
Nation's scientists, the enormous capacity that they bring so
that we can meet the challenges of the 21st Century, head-on.
I believe that investment in research and development will
help us find solutions for today's challenges, like those posed
by harmful algal blooms, drought, wildfires, reservoir
sedimentation, and of course, engineering with nature.
And finally, successful innovation in the future cannot be
accomplished without the talented and passionate professionals
of our workforce. People remain our greatest resource,
investing in our people, our leaders, and diversity in all its
forms, as well as maintaining a culture and a commitment to
safety are keys to developing our future team.
For over 245 years, the Army Corps of Engineers has served
as the Nation's engineers, we have risen to meet the challenges
of the day, and today is no exception. We will engineer the
future, but we do not do it alone. We need the help of our non-
Federal partners, our project stakeholders, and the Congress to
enable us to succeed. I look forward to continuing our great
collaboration with this committee as we strive to finish
quality projects on time and within budget.
Thank you again, Madam Chairwoman, and members of the
subcommittee. I look forward to any questions that you may
have.
[The statement follows:]
Prepared Statement of Lieutenant General Scott A. Spellmon
Chairwoman Feinstein, Ranking Member Kennedy, and Members of the
Subcommittee:
I am honored to testify before your committee today, along with Mr.
Jamie Pinkham, the Acting Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil
Works, in regard to the President's Fiscal Year 2022 (FY 2022) Budget
for the United States Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) Civil Works
Program.
Through its Civil Works Program, the Corps works with other Federal
agencies, and with State, Tribal, and local agencies and others, to
develop, manage, restore, and protect water resources, primarily
through the construction, operation and maintenance, and study of
water-related infrastructure projects. The Corps focuses on work that
provides the highest economic, environmental, and public safety returns
to the Nation. The Corps also regulates development in waters of the
United States and works with other Federal agencies to help communities
respond to, and recover from, floods and other natural disasters. The
FY 2022 Budget invests in improving the Nation's water infrastructure,
including U.S. coastal ports, while incorporating climate resilience
efforts into the Corps' commercial navigation, flood and storm damage
reduction, and aquatic ecosystem restoration work.
The Corps' Military program also continues our work across the
globe with presence in more than 110 countries supporting national
security and our Combatant Commanders with civil works, military
missions, and water resources research and development expertise.
overview
The Civil Works Program is performance-based. It uses a targeted
approach to invest in our water resources and promote climate
resiliency, which will benefit the Nation's economy, environment, and
public safety--now and in the future. With the requested funds, the
Corps will emphasize: Investments in High Return Projects; Increasing
Resiliency to Climate Change; Facilitating Safe, Reliable and
Sustainable Commercial Navigation; and Accelerating and Improving
Delivery of Water Resource Projects.
The Corps focuses on high-performing projects and programs within
its three main water resources missions: commercial navigation, flood
and storm damage reduction, and aquatic ecosystem restoration. The
Budget includes $6.8 billion for these Civil Works activities
throughout the Nation. The American Jobs Plan includes an additional $8
billion over five years for the Corps to improve ports and waterways.
investigations program
The Investigations program of the Corps is funded both in the
Investigations account and in the Mississippi River and Tributaries
account. The Corps uses these funds to evaluate water resources
problems and opportunities, design projects within the Corps three main
mission areas, and support related work. The Investigations program
includes the Corps planning assistance and technical assistance
programs, where the Corps shares its expertise with local communities
to help them identify and understand their water resources problems,
and helps them to develop options including ways that they can increase
their resilience to, and preparedness for, flood risks. In addition to
ongoing efforts, the FY 2022 Budget supports starting seven new studies
including those which will further investigate problems and
opportunities associated with the commercial navigation, flood and
storm damage reduction, and aquatic ecosystem restoration missions of
the Corps.
construction program
The Construction program of the Corps is funded both in the
Construction account and in the Mississippi River and Tributaries
account.
The goal of the construction program is to produce as much value as
possible for the Nation from the available funds. The Corps also gives
priority to investments, selected on a risk informed basis, in dam
safety assurance, seepage control, and static instability correction
work at dams that the Corps owns and operates.
The Budget provides $350 million for the South Florida Everglades
Restoration (SFER) program, which includes the everglades. This is $100
million above the enacted level for FY 2021, an increase of 40 percent.
Additional SFER funding is included in the American Jobs Plan. Taken
together, these funds would enable the Corps to make significant
progress on this restoration program.
The Budget also invests in four previously unfunded construction
projects: West Sacramento, California, a flood and storm damage
reduction project; McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System,
Three Rivers, Arkansas, and Norfolk Harbor and Channels, Virginia
(Deepening), which are commercial navigation projects; and Anacostia
Watershed Restoration, Prince George's County, Maryland, an aquatic
ecosystem restoration project.
operation and maintenance (o&m) program
The O&M program of the Corps is funded both in the O&M account and
in the Mississippi River and Tributaries account, with the Budget
providing over $4 billion.
All structures age and can deteriorate over time, causing a
potential decline in reliability. As stewards of a large portfolio of
water resources projects, the Corps is working to sustain the benefits
that the key features of this infrastructure provides.
The Corps continues to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of
its operation and maintenance program. The Corps does so by targeting
its investments in infrastructure maintenance, repair, and
rehabilitation on a risk informed basis. It invests in the highest
priority needs with emphasis on the key features of the infrastructure
that the Corps owns and operates, and in work that will reduce long-
term O&M costs in real terms.
Generally, the O&M program supports completed works owned or
operated by the Corps, including administrative buildings and
laboratories. Work to be accomplished includes: operation and
maintenance of locks and dams along the inland waterways; maintenance
dredging of inland and coastal Federal channels; operation and
maintenance of multi-purpose dams and reservoirs for flood risk
reduction and related purposes such as hydropower; monitoring of
completed navigation and flood damage reduction projects; and
management of Corps facilities and associated lands including serving
as a responsible steward of the natural resources on Corps lands.
regulatory program
Through its Regulatory Program, the Corps protects the Nation's
waters including wetlands, and regulates development that could impede
navigation, while allowing reasonable development to proceed.
emergency management
The Flood Control and Coastal Emergencies (FCCE) account funds the
planning, training, exercises, and other preparedness measures that
help the Corps respond to floods, hurricanes, and other natural
disasters, and to support emergency operations in response to such
natural disasters, including advance measures, flood fighting,
providing potable water, and the repair of certain damaged flood and
storm damage reduction projects. The FCCE funding proposed in the
Budget is for preparedness work. The Corps also prepares for
emergencies through funding provided under the National Emergency
Preparedness program, an O&M account remaining item.
reimbursable program
Through the Interagency and International Services (IIS)
Reimbursable Program, the Corps assists other Federal agencies, state,
local, tribal governments, and those of other countries with timely,
cost-effective solutions. These agencies can turn to the Corps, which
already has these capabilities, rather than develop their own internal
workforce and expertise to act as their design and construction agent.
The work is principally technical oversight and management of
engineering, environmental, and construction projects. The work itself
is typically performed by private sector firms and is financed by the
agencies we service. We only accept agency requests that are consistent
with our core technical expertise, in the national interest, and that
can be executed without impacting our primary mission areas.
conclusion
The FY 2022 Budget for the Corps represents a continuing, fiscally
prudent investment in the Nation's water resources infrastructure and
the restoration of aquatic ecosystems. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
is committed to a performance-based Civil Works Program, based on
innovative, resilient, and sustainable risk-informed solutions.
Thank you, Madam Chairwoman and Members of Subcommittee. This
concludes my statement. I look forward to answering any questions you
or other Members of the Subcommittee may have.
Senator Feinstein. Thanks very much, General.
Mr. Palumbo.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Reclamation
STATEMENT OF MR. DAVID PALUMBO, DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF
OPERATIONS
Mr. Palumbo. Thank you, Chair Feinstein, Ranking Member
Kennedy, and members of the subcommittee for the opportunity to
discuss with you the President's fiscal year----
The Bureau of Reclamation is the largest supplier and
manager of water in the Nation, and the second largest producer
of hydro-power. Reclamation manages water for agricultural,
municipal, and industrial uses, the environment, and provides
flood control, and recreation.
Reclamation enjoys a close bipartisan working relationship
with the subcommittee. The relationship has helped us address
long-standing and emerging challenges in the West. Many of
these challenges will continue to require close cooperation and
innovative solutions, addressing drought, climate change,
issues of equity and sustainability are essential, as are the
continuing needs to secure, modernize, and maintain our
Nation's water infrastructure.
Reclamation's request of approximately $1.5 billion in
discretionary appropriations addresses these challenges. I
would like to acknowledge what is probably at the forefront of
many members' minds, the significant, expansive and persistent
drought. As you can see from the current U.S. drought monitor
map, nearly every State west of the 100th meridian is
experiencing some level of drought, with many of the 17 western
States experiencing extreme or exceptional drought.
Many farmers, Tribes, stakeholders, and related communities
have had to make significant sacrifices. This dire hydrologic
situation highlights the need for actions to make our
infrastructure more resilient to water resource scarcity and
variability, as well as to maintain healthy ecosystems.
Reclamation's priorities reflect this vital need through
our commitment to drought planning and response activities,
such as the Seven Basin States, Drought Contingency Plan, and
system conservation agreements. This budget request also
acknowledges the need to continue to deploy and develop
science-based drought and climate change adaptation strategies.
Reclamation's water smart and science technology programs
directly contribute to these administration priorities. In
addition to our ongoing water resource management activities,
our budget request includes roughly $200 million related to
drought.
Reclamation also continues to provide an important source
of renewable energy. The 400 million megawatt hours of clean
energy we generate each year, displaces over 18 million tons of
carbon dioxide emissions and supports grid stability and other
renewables like wind and solar power.
Reclamation must also plan for the future of its
infrastructure. Reclamation's dams and reservoirs, water
conveyance facilities, and power generation facilities serve as
the water and power infrastructure backbone of the American
West.
However, much of this infrastructure is aging and in need
of critical maintenance. B.F. Sisk Dam in California, for
example, which provides 2 million acre-feet of water storage
south of the Delta, is one of the most significant funding
needs under Reclamation's Dam Safety Program. Our request
includes $207 million for dam safety, and $125 million for
other extraordinary maintenance.
However, it is not sufficient to address infrastructure
needs without considering economic inequities and the needs of
underserved communities. This administration is committed to
generating broader economic opportunities and fostering greater
social inclusion. Reclamation is establishing and rebuilding
water infrastructure for underserved populations by ensuring
that water for multiple purposes is reliably provided to all
communities.
In addition to settlements with mandatory funds, our budget
request includes $158 million for Indian Water Rights
Settlements, as well as $200 million for Reclamation's Native
American Technical Assistance Program, and $93 million for
Rural Water Program.
The Bureau of Reclamation remains committed to working with
Congress and our operating partners and stakeholders in
carrying out our mission responsibly planning for the future.
The challenges of drought and climate change demands such
action. And the need for more equitable outcomes and broader
economic development do as well.
I again thank the subcommittee and your excellent staff.
And I am happy to answer any questions.
[The statement follows:]
Prepared Statement of David Palumbo
Thank you, Chair Feinstein, Ranking Member Kennedy, and members of
the Subcommittee for the opportunity to discuss with you the
President's Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 Budget for the Bureau of Reclamation.
I am David Palumbo, Deputy Commissioner of Operations for the Bureau of
Reclamation.
The Bureau of Reclamation is the largest supplier and manager of
water in the Nation and the second largest producer of hydroelectric
power. Reclamation manages water for agriculture, municipal and
industrial use, and the environment, as well as providing flood control
and recreation for millions of people. Reclamation's activities,
including recreation benefits, support economic activity valued at
$66.63 billion, and support approximately 472,000 jobs. Reclamation
delivers 10 trillion gallons of water to more than 31 million people
each year, and provides water for irrigation of 10 million acres, which
yields approximately 25 percent of the Nation's fruit and nut crops,
and 60 percent of the vegetable harvest.
Reclamation's fundamental mission and programs--modernizing and
maintaining infrastructure, conserving natural resources, using science
and research to inform decision-making, serving underserved
populations, and staying as nimble as possible in response to the real-
time resiliency and long-term adaptation requirements of drought and a
changing climate--position our agency to deliver significant
contributions to the Biden-Harris Administration's core priorities. The
Bureau of Reclamation's FY 2022 budget provides the foundation to meet
our mission: to manage, develop, and protect water resources,
consistent with applicable State and Federal law, in a cost-effective
and environmentally responsible manner in the interest of the American
public. Reclamation remains committed to working with a wide range of
stakeholders, including water and power customers, Tribes, State and
local officials, and non-governmental organizations, to meet its
mission.
Reclamation is requesting $1,532,949,000 in gross Federal
discretionary appropriations. Of the total amount, $1,379,050,000 is
for the Water and Related Resources account, which is Reclamation's
largest account, $64,400,000 is for the Policy and Administration
account, and $33,000,000 is for the California Bay Delta account. A
total of $56,499,000 is budgeted for the Central Valley Project
Restoration Fund, to be offset by expected discretionary receipts in
the amounts collected during the fiscal year. Reclamation also
anticipates approximately $900 million in other Federal, including
mandatory, and non-Federal funds to support FY 2022 activities.
Racial and Economic Equity: Activities to Support Underserved
communities, Tribal Programs & Tribal Water Rights Settlements:
Reclamation tackles the challenges of racial equity and underserved
communities through investments in tribal water rights settlements, the
Native American Affairs technical assistance program, rural water
projects, and investments in specific projects for underserved
communities. Reclamation is confident in its ability to meet the
legislated deadlines of tribal settlements.
Reclamation's budget supports Indian water rights settlements,
continuing the high prioritization of these projects to meet Tribal
trust and treaty obligations. The FY 2022 budget request includes a
total of $157.6 million for Indian water rights settlements consistent
with settlement dates required by statute. In addition to requesting
discretionary funding, these settlements will draw on available
mandatory funding to support current settlement implementation
activities.
The FY 2022 budget includes $20.0 million for the Native American
Affairs program to increase the capacity to work with and support
Tribes in water resources development, including the resolution of
water rights claims, sustainable and equitable water sharing
agreements, and other water related technical and resource management
activities. This funding will also strengthen Department-wide
capabilities to achieve an integrated and systematic approach to Indian
water rights negotiations to consider the full range of economic,
legal, and technical attributes of proposed settlements.
By means of its request of $92.9 million for the Rural Water
program, Reclamation is also establishing and rebuilding clean water
infrastructure for underserved populations, furthering the President's
environmental justice goals as well as his commitment to Tribal Nations
by ensuring that clean, safe drinking water is a right in those
communities. The request consists of $68.1 million for construction and
$24.8 million for operation, maintenance, and replacement of completed
Tribal features.
Conservation, Climate Resilience and Climate Science: Reclamation's
projects were primarily designed and constructed in the first half of
the 20th century with snowpack serving as the largest reservoir. The
decrease in snowpack and earlier spring runoff have made climate
resilience and adaptation an important focus area for Reclamation. Our
investments address the unprecedented and persistent drought and our
ability to combat climate change by continuing to fund the WaterSMART
program, to improve water conservation and energy efficiency as well as
proactive efforts to provide sound climate science, research and
development, and clean energy. We will continue to seek to optimize
non-Federal contributions to accomplish more with our Federal dollars.
Reclamation is continuing efforts to manage drought. Across the
west, we are seeing drought at a scale and intensity that we have not
seen before. California is currently experiencing its third driest year
on record; the second two consecutive driest years on record, and the
driest year since 1977. In the Central Valley of California,
precipitation has been far below normal, at the bottom 10th percentile
of historic levels, which equates to snow and rain precipitation of
less than half of average for this date. Reclamation plays a crucial
role in managing and regulating water operations in California,
coordinating closely with the State, fishery agencies and local
operating partners to evaluate options. The FY 2022 budget continues to
support drought mitigation and planning efforts, including a request of
$184.7 million for operations within the Central Valley Project, which
includes work to modernize facilities and take advantage of water
conservation efforts. In addition, the FY 2022 Budget includes $33
million for the California Bay-Delta Restoration account and $56.5
million for the Central Valley Project Restoration Fund. In the
Colorado River Basin, the period from 2000 through 2021 has been the
driest 22-year period in more than 100 years of record-keeping and one
of the driest in the past 1,200 years based on paleohydrology data. The
FY 2022 budget includes salinity control efforts along the river with
both the Title I ($17.6 million) and Title II ($7 million) Programs,
while continuing to implement the Drought Contingency Plans (DCP) in
coordination with the Seven Basin States through the Lower and Upper
Colorado River Programs. Drought response activities include $15
million for the DCP to conserve water in Lake Mead to reduce the
likelihood of the Lake declining to further critical elevations and $3
million for the Upper Colorado River Operations Program for Demand
Management.
The Klamath Basin is also experiencing one of the driest hydrologic
years on record. The 2022 Budget includes $24.1 million for the Klamath
Project with $3.3 million for water conservation, water quality
monitoring, and water measurement operations; $15.7 million for Tribal
Trust Obligations and Endangered Species Act compliance, and $2.5
million for maintenance activities and the rehabilitation of Link River
Dam.
Climate change adaptation is a focus of Reclamation's science
efforts. Funding will focus on innovation strategies that are necessary
to address present and future hydrologic changes. The Desalination
Program supports water purification science, development, and
demonstrations for the purpose of converting unusable waters to useable
water supplies. The Science and Technology Program addresses the full
range of technical issues confronting Reclamation water and hydropower
managers.
WaterSMART: The WaterSMART Program directly contributes to
Administration priorities for conservation, climate science,
adaptation, and resiliency. WaterSMART also serves as the primary
contributor to the Reclamation/Interior Water Conservation Priority
Goal. Projects funded through WaterSMART since 2010, including
WaterSMART Grants and Title XVI projects, are expected to save more
than one million acre-feet of water each year, once completed. The FY
2022 budget includes $54.1 million for WaterSMART programs.
Modernizing and Maintaining Infrastructure: Reclamation's dams and
reservoirs, water conveyance systems, and power generating facilities
serve as the water and power infrastructure backbone of the American
West. Reclamation's water and power projects throughout the western
United States provide water supplies for agricultural, municipal, and
industrial purposes. Reclamation's projects also provide energy
produced by hydropower facilities and maintain ecosystems that support
fish and wildlife, hunting, fishing, and other recreation, as well as
rural economies. Changing demographics and competing demands are
increasingly impacting already strained systems, and the proper
management of this infrastructure is critical to Reclamation's ability
to achieve progress on its mission objectives. This budget addresses
priorities by allocating funds based on objective and performance-based
criteria to most effectively implement Reclamation's programs and its
management responsibilities for its water and power infrastructure in
the West.
Funding is provided for dam safety and Extraordinary Maintenance
(XM) of Reclamation facilities. Reclamation manages 491 dams throughout
the 17 Western States. Reclamation's Dam Safety Program has identified
364 high and significant hazard dams. Through constant monitoring and
assessment, Reclamation strives to achieve the best use of its limited
resources to ensure dam safety and to maintain our ability to store,
conserve, and deliver water and to generate hydropower. The FY 2022
budget request includes $207.1 million for the Dam Safety Program.
Reclamation's XM request is part of its overall Asset Management
Strategy that relies on condition assessments, condition/performance
metrics, technological research and development, and strategic
collaboration to better inform and improve the management of its assets
and address infrastructure maintenance challenges. Additional XM items
are directly funded by revenues, customers, or other Federal agencies
(e.g., Bonneville Power Administration). The FY 2022 budget includes
$125.3 million for XM related activities.
Renewable Energy: Reclamation owns 78 hydroelectric power plants
and operates 53 of those plants that account for 15 percent of the
hydroelectric capacity and generation in the United States. Each year
on average, Reclamation generates about 40 million megawatt hours of
electricity and collects over $1.0 billion in gross power revenues for
the Federal Government. It would take more than 130 billion cubic feet
of natural gas or about 7.1 million tons of coal to produce an equal
amount of energy with fossil fuels; as a result, Reclamation's
hydropower program displaces over 18 million tons of carbon dioxide
that may have otherwise been emitted by traditional fossil fuel power
plants.
Reclamation's FY 2022 budget request includes $3.5 million to
support Department energy initiatives through increasing Reclamation
Project hydropower capabilities. These activities include: policy
development, oversight, and support services facilitating non-Federal
hydropower development on Reclamation projects through Lease of Power
Privilege and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission licensing. These
actions allow Reclamation to derive additional value and revenue from
existing public infrastructure and reduce project operating costs
(e.g., water and power delivery costs). Revenues derived from
incremental hydropower production are invested in the underlying public
infrastructure to ensure continued, reliable operations and benefits.
These investments, in combination with prior year's efforts will ensure
that Reclamation can continue to provide reliable water and power to
the American West.
Water management, improving and modernizing infrastructure, using
sound science to support critical decision-making, finding
opportunities to expand capacity, reducing conflict, and meeting
environmental responsibilities were all addressed in the formulation of
the FY 2022 budget. Reclamation continues to look at ways to plan more
efficiently for future challenges faced in water resources management
to improve the way it does business.
account level details
The FY 2022 budget allocates funds to projects and programs based
on objective, performance-based criteria to implement Reclamation's
programs and its management responsibilities most effectively for its
water and power infrastructure in the West.
The FY 2022 budget for Reclamation totals $1.533 billion in gross
budget authority. The budget is partially offset by discretionary
receipts in the Central Valley Project Restoration Fund ($56.5 million)
resulting in net discretionary budget authority of $1.476 billion.
water and related resources--$1,379,050,000
The FY 2022 Water and Related Resources budget provides funding for
five major program activities--Water and Energy Management and
Development ($434.0 million), Land Management and Development ($49.1
million), Fish and Wildlife Management and Development ($193.2
million), Facility Operations ($322.0 million), and Facility
Maintenance and Rehabilitation ($380.7 million). The funding proposed
in Reclamation's FY 2022 budget supports key programs important to the
Department and in line with Administration objectives.
By far, the greatest portion of Reclamation's Water and Related
Resources budget is dedicated to delivering water and generating power.
This is accomplished within over 300 congressionally-authorized
projects. Certain programs are also particularly notable, including Dam
Safety-described above--and others, due to their unique nature and
interest to Congress and other stakeholders. In addition to
infrastructure needs and other overarching initiatives that fulfill the
President's priorities noted above, a few additional programs that
directly respond to Administration goals are described below.
Reclamation's FY 2022 budget of $27.5 million for Research and
Development (R&D) programs includes both Science and Technology, and
Desalination and Water Purification Research-both of which focus on
Reclamation's mission of water and power deliveries.
The Science and Technology program supports engineering innovation
that promotes economic growth, supports maintaining and improving our
water and power infrastructure, and spurs continued generation of
energy. Program outcomes enable reliable water and power delivery to
our customers, improve safety, limit the impacts of invasive species,
and ensure that Reclamation can meet its environmental compliance
responsibilities. These activities support the Administration's
priorities for the FY 2022 budget, including job creation by supporting
technology transfer activities that may lead to new business
opportunities for private industry. The program also supports
Administration priorities related to maintaining and improving our
water and power infrastructure by partnering with the U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers to foster research projects to develop technologies that
extend the operating life and reduce maintenance costs of Reclamation's
structures. The Administration's priority related to energy from all
sources is supported by hydropower research that ensures that
Reclamation is maximizing reliability, reducing maintenance costs, and
exploring new energy development opportunities. Research on safety is
ensuring our workers can perform their jobs safely and securely.
The Desalination and Water Purification Research program priorities
include development of improved and innovative methods of desalination
and reducing costs to develop new water supplies. The research and
testing funded out of this program supports Executive Order 14008
including job creation, by supporting innovative new solutions that
spur the creation of new businesses by entrepreneurs and by advancing
Reclamation's competitive edge in the area of water treatment and
desalination.
Reclamation's continued water delivery and power generation cannot
be accomplished without meeting our environmental responsibilities.
Reclamation meets these responsibilities associated with individual
projects, such as the Central Valley Project and the Middle Rio Grande
Collaborative Program, through a large number of activities. The FY
2022 budget funds Reclamation's Endangered Species Act recovery
programs and other programs that contribute towards these efforts, such
as the Columbia/Snake River Salmon Recovery Program, the San Juan River
Recovery Implementation Program, the Upper Colorado Recovery
Implementation Program, and the Multi-Species Conservation Program
within the Lower Colorado River Operations Program, among many others.
Including other efforts, Reclamation helps address the West's water
challenges through the WaterSMART program. Through WaterSMART,
Reclamation works cooperatively with States, Tribes, and local entities
as they plan for and implement actions to address current and future
water shortages, including drought; degraded water quality; increased
demands for water and energy from growing populations; environmental
water requirements; and the potential for decreased water supply
availability due to climate change, drought, and population growth.
The Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Program is a new program that
addresses aquatic ecosystems in connection to Reclamation projects. The
FY 2022 budget includes $1 million for the Aquatic Ecosystem
Restoration Program. The program provides broad authority for
Reclamation to fund fish passage improvements and aquatic habitat
enhancement, including removal of dams or other aging infrastructure if
such projects are supported by a broad multi-stakeholder group, and if
it maintains water security for all involved. This new authority aligns
with the Administration's priorities for climate change and climate
resiliency.
Aging Infrastructure Program and Account: Sec. 1101, Title XI of
P.L. 116-260 amends 43 U.S.C. 510b to establish the Aging
Infrastructure Account, authorizing an annual appropriation for
Reclamation to provide for the extended repayment of work by a
transferred works operating entity or project beneficiary to conduct
extraordinary operation and maintenance work at a Reclamation facility.
It is envisioned that the discretionary funds would be from a transfer
from Water and Related Resources as proposed in FY 2022 appropriations
language. The FY 2022 Budget includes $1 million. Mandatory funds would
be appropriated from the receipt account.
The account would receive deposits from repayment of reimbursable
costs under a repayment contract. Under the program, Reclamation will
provide funding to non-Federal partners who rehabilitate infrastructure
projects that are owned by the Federal government. Those entities would
repay the funds to the Aging Infrastructure Account over periods of up
to 50 years. Funds from that account would be available to be spent
without further appropriation for future projects.
Electric Vehicles and Charging Infrastructure: A total of $3.5
million is included in this request to support the DOI Zero Emission
Vehicle (ZEV) investment strategy that is comprised of three core
elements: replacing hydrocarbon powered vehicles with ZEVs; investing
in ZEV charging infrastructure; and integrating ZEV fleet and
infrastructure management.
central valley project restoration fund (cvprf): $56,499,000
This fund was established by the Central Valley Project Improvement
Act, Title XXXIV of P.L. 102-575, October 30, 1992. The budget of $56.5
million is expected to be offset fully by discretionary receipts based
on what can be collected from project beneficiaries under provisions of
Section 3407(d) of the Act. The discretionary receipts are adjusted on
an annual basis to maintain payments totaling $30.0 million (October
1992 price levels) on a three-year rolling average basis. The budget
was developed after considering the effects of the San Joaquin River
Restoration Settlement Act (P.L. 111-11, March 30, 2009), which
redirects certain fees, estimated at $2.0 million in FY 2022, collected
from the Friant Division water users to the San Joaquin Restoration
Fund.
california bay-delta restoration fund: $33,000,000
The CALFED Bay-Delta Restoration Act (P.L. 108-361), as amended,
authorized multiple Federal agencies to participate in the
implementation of the CALFED Bay-Delta Program as outlined in the
August 28, 2000, Record of Decision (ROD) for the CALFED Bay-Delta
Program Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement and Environmental
Impact Report. The legislation directed the implementing agencies to
undertake a set of broadly described programmatic actions identified in
the ROD to the extent authorized under existing law. In addition, the
Act authorized $389.0 million in Federal appropriations for new and
expanded authorities.
The FY 2022 budget of $33.0 million implements priority activities
pursuant to P.L. 108-361. Six Federal agencies--the Department of the
Interior, Department of Commerce, Department of Agriculture, Department
of the Army, Environmental Protection Agency, and the Council on
Environmental Quality -work together to ensure that the Federal actions
and investments the Administration is undertaking are coordinated in a
fashion to help address California's current water supply and
ecological challenges. This budget supports actions under the following
program activities: $1.7 million for Renewed Federal State Partnership,
$2.3 million for Smarter Water Supply and Use, and $29.0 million to
address the Degraded Bay Delta Ecosystem.
policy and administration: $64,400,000
The $64.4 million budget will be used to: 1) develop, evaluate, and
directly implement Reclamation-wide policy, rules, and regulations,
including actions under the Government Performance and Results Act; and
2) manage and perform functions that are not properly chargeable to
specific projects or program activities covered by separate funding
authority. A new Diversity, Inclusion and Compliance initiative will
address identified high priority needs in support of Executive Order
13985, Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities
through the Federal Government, and Executive Order 13988, Preventing
and Combatting Discrimination on the Basis of Gender Identity and
Sexual Orientation. In addition, $1.6 million is requested for
increased cybersecurity as a sustained response to the SolarWinds
attack, and to improve future protection and detection capabilities.
central utah protection completion act (cupca)
The Department's 2022 CUPCA Program budget of $20 million reflects
the Administration's commitment to strengthening our climate resiliency
and supporting conservation partnerships. As authorized, the completion
of the Central Utah Project (CUP) Utah Lake System pipelines will
deliver 60,000 acre-feet of municipal and industrial water to Salt Lake
and Utah Counties. The completed project will provide increased water
security, helping communities adapt to and increase their resiliency
under changing climate conditions.
The request provides funding to continue construction of the
system; support the recovery of endangered species; and implement fish,
wildlife, and recreation mitigation and water conservation projects.
One of the goals of the project is the recovery of the June sucker
fish, a critical element of listed species recovery efforts.
Senator Feinstein. Thank you very much. We will proceed--if
there is no objection--with questions.
Deputy Commissioner Palumbo, more than 72 percent of the
Western United States is now in severe drought, or worse, which
is the--this is the most extensive, severe drought in the west
in recorded history. California is unfortunately worse with 90
percent of the State in severe drought. So this is a real
emergency that requires our immediate action. Does the Bureau
plan to send a reprogramming or supplemental funding request
for drought?
Mr. Palumbo. Thank you, Senator. Absolutely; the Bureau of
Reclamation is currently working on finalizing a reprogramming
and request to address a variety of factors related to drought.
I would expect in the next coming weeks you will be seeing that
reprogramming request with a significant focus on drought
mitigation and adaptation strategies for the----
Senator Feinstein. Well, I am glad to hear that. And I
thank you for it. Can you tell us anything about the type of
immediate actions which would be permitted under this revision
that you are sending?
Mr. Palumbo. Yes. Thank you, Senator. We are looking at a
variety of tools, the immediate tools that we would deploy our
water transfers, water purchases, groundwater substitutions, as
well as salinity barriers to help with salinity in the Delta.
Another variety of tools that we are looking at are related to
fish hatcheries, making sure we have cool water available for
the species that depend on water, as well as humans.
Senator Feinstein. Well, I am pleased to hear that. I have
worked hard with my colleagues to develop appropriate funding
under the WIIN Act to build storage projects, to be able to
capture precipitation for the dry years. Last year we worked to
provide an additional $206 million in WIIN Act funding for
water storage, desal, and water recycling and reuse projects.
The President's budget recommends no funding for these critical
projects this year. My question is, why?
Mr. Palumbo. Thank you, Senator. The Bureau of Reclamation
as well as the administration places a high emphasis on water
infrastructure, including storage, desalinization and water
purification. We are in the process of developing a request
that we will be sending to the appropriations committees
through the Secretary of the Interior in the very near future,
with funding requests for both water storage as well as
desalinization and water reuse.
Senator Feinstein. When it is ready, will you please bring
it to my attention?
Mr. Palumbo. Absolutely.
Senator Feinstein. Thank you very much. I have seen that
the President's American Jobs Plan includes $2.5 billion over 5
years for reclamation infrastructure, and we certainly need to
invest more money in our infrastructure. And when can I expect
the Bureau to provide more details on the President's
infrastructure proposal?
Mr. Palumbo. Very soon as well. We are working closely in
the department to finalize opportunities, to put money to work
on shovel-ready projects, using alternative delivery methods on
pencil-ready projects, to get that infrastructure on the
ground, put that money to work, put people to work. So we are
working very hard, as we speak, on finalizing our plans.
Senator Feinstein. Thank you. I take you at your word. We
have 84 dams in California that are in less than satisfactory
condition and would cause fatalities or significant property
damage if they failed. In order to repair these dams, I have
worked with my colleagues to include in last year's Energy and
Water Bill $12 million to provide low-interest loans to restore
non-Federal dams under the Water Infrastructure, Finance and
Innovation Act Program.
The Corps still needs to finalize the program rules in
order to finalize a Federal funding opportunity for these
critically needed grants. So the question is: How quickly can
you finalize the program rules and get out these funds so we
can start repairing dangerously deficient non-Federal dams?
Mr. Pinkham. Madam Chair, if I could take that question,
please? We are currently working with OMB (Office of Management
and Budget) on the rule that is on the OMB spring agenda. So we
are working closely with them. We have been able to model some
of the rules after something that is already in place to
Environmental Protection Agency. And so we are trying to move
that along as quickly as we can.
Senator Feinstein. Appreciate that. Do you have any time
zone you can give us, because the temperatures change and the
water levels change?
Mr. Pinkham. Yes. Madam Chair, let me work with OMB and see
if we can get you a more definitive timeline on it; I hate to
give you something, and prove that I am wrong. And so let me
get back to you on that, if I might?
Senator Feinstein. Yes, you can. But please do. I will
count on that. Thank you.
Senator Kennedy.
Senator Kennedy. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Mr. Commissioner, I am probably going to direct most of my
questions to the Secretary and the General. But I don't want
you to think that I don't recognize the extraordinary work and
importance of the Bureau of Reclamation.
Mr. Palumbo. Thank you.
Senator Kennedy. In my opening statement, gentlemen, I have
talked about Hurricane Katrina and what we call, HSDRRS, if you
are familiar with this project, where we built levees, flood
walls, pumping stations all around the New Orleans metropolitan
area.
A miracle of engineering. Thank you. Of course this project
didn't just happen. The money didn't just fall from heaven. We
thank heaven for it, but it came out of taxpayers' pockets. The
Federal Government put up most of it, but the State had to put
up its share. After Katrina we were flat on our back literally
and figuratively, especially economically, so we had to borrow
the money from the American taxpayer.
In the last water bill, with the help of my colleagues,
thank you, we restructured Louisiana's debt, and we are about
to make, our legislature just approved it, about a $400 million
payment to meet, and I promise you, the check will clear, the
money has been appropriated. This is going to require perhaps
some guidelines in implementing this restructuring.
Have you thought about that, Mr. Secretary General? If you
are going to issue guidelines, if you could call me and we will
work together to make sure that we both are on the same page.
Mr. Pinkham. Senator Kennedy, we would be happy to work
with you on the process going forward to make sure that the
commitments are met. And if there are guidelines that need to
be created, we are happy to work with you and your staff on
what those guidelines are.
Senator Kennedy. I will really would appreciate it.
General.
General Spellmon. Yes, sir, I appreciate that. And I
appreciate the guidance. And I believe it was Section 351, in
WRDA (Water Resources Development Act) 2020, and we are working
with the Secretary's office on getting the appropriate guidance
out to the field.
Senator Kennedy. Good. Well, if you need me, call me,
because we want to get this back right. And we are going to
make our payments. And again, I want to thank my colleagues for
working with me on helping us restructure this debt, because we
were never going to be able to pay back the interest. It was
just eating us alive.
General Spellmon. Yes, sir.
Senator Kennedy. Let me talk about the Morganza to the Gulf
Hurricane Protection Project. I know you are familiar with it.
This project is in Southeast Louisiana, below New Orleans. It
is hugely important to us. And my people know that. They
started taxing themselves back in, let's see, early-1990. And I
know that is rare. And usually everybody comes to the Federal
Government and says, money, please. My people said, look, we
are going to put our money where our mouth is. They started
taxing themselves.
And of course, we went through the planning for the project
and worked--working closely with the Corps, and the project is
on its way. And our last Congress, we actually appropriated a
little bit of money for it, but we got a long way to go. I
wanted to get your thoughts about the Morganza to the Gulf
Protection Project. So what do you think? What are we doing
right? What are we doing wrong? Because I can assure you, I am
going to be calling you a lot about it. Mr. Secretary?
Mr. Pinkham. I will be honest with you. Senator Kennedy, I
am not familiar with the project----
Senator Kennedy. Oh, we are going to fix that.
Mr. Pinkham. Well, I look forward to that, the opportunity
to visit the site with you, and gather some information.
Senator Kennedy. I am thinking, you must come--come to
Louisiana. We are going to take a helicopter tour. We will take
an airboat. I will show you some alligators. But all kidding
aside, this is a big project. It is a big deal, and we have
been working on it since the 1990s, and my people have put up a
lot of their money and we are on our way. It is authorized that
we--Congress appropriated a little bit of money, but we need to
finish this. And I want you to know it as well as I do.
Mr. Pinkham. Okay. I look forward to the trip.
Senator Kennedy. Okay. General, have you got any thoughts?
General Spellmon. Sure. I will just add, we understand the
non-Federal sponsors have put over $400 million against this
project. We are grateful for the New Start Authority that we
received.
Senator Kennedy. Yes.
General Spellmon. In the fiscal year 2021. Sure, that is a
good start, and about $12 million to get started on the Federal
portion. So when we make our recommendation to the Secretary,
life safety is always at the top of the list, and this is a
critical life safety project for the people in that region.
Senator Kennedy. Well, I am glad you mentioned the New
Start Authority. I want to thank my colleagues again for
helping me get the New Start Authority. And I want to thank all
of you, and we will be in touch on this project. Thank you.
Senator Feinstein. Thank you, Senator.
Senator Tester.
Senator Tester. Thank you, Chairwoman Feinstein, and
Ranking Member Kennedy.
I am going to start with you, Mr. Palumbo. I got first
involved in the state legislature in 1998. I was introduced to
a lot of water projects back then, and they are still there.
One of these water projects is the St. Mary's Diversion Dam,
which, if have not seen, come out to Montana, you need to look
at it. It is an amazing piece of engineering. It is well over a
hundred years old now, and it is shot. It was shot 25 years ago
and it is worse today than it was then.
At some point in time we have got to figure out whether we
just shut the dam thing down, and let the Milk River run dry 6
out of 10 years? Or are we going to fix it? It is not a cheap
project, $52 million for replacing the dam, $200 million for
the siphons and pumping stations, $50 to $80 million for Fresno
Dam, which is downstream.
This is water that is used for drinking water and
irrigation. My question is: is we need some serious attention
to this, because as I said, if Mother Nature has her way, if we
wouldn't have done this project back in the early, early, early
1900s, the Milk would be dry. And the Milk basically covers
Eastern Montana, two-thirds of Eastern Montana, the entire
Northern Tier.
The question is: Will you commit to making this a priority?
To try to figure out how we can get this dam project done? Two
of the five drops failed last year, they were replaced due to
some of your good work and the State's good work. Tell me your
view on this and how we are going to get this baby done? And
then I am going to get to the other projects.
Mr. Palumbo. Thank you, Senator. I had the pleasure
actually of meeting with you up on the Highline in 2016.
Senator Kennedy. There we go.
Mr. Palumbo. I have been out at the facilities. I worked
with the Joint Border Control; wonderful folks.
Senator Tester. Yeah, you got it.
Mr. Palumbo. Absolutely, the Bureau of Reclamation is
committed. We certainly recognized the high capital cost, as
well as the cost shared, and reimbursability, the struggles
that we need to work through.
Senator Tester. Yes.
Mr. Palumbo. But we are committed to doing that, and
working closely with you.
Senator Tester. Okay. Needless to say this budget doesn't
reflect that. I am hoping we can get Congress to plus that up.
But, you know, and I am going to tell you, there is some
frustration here. I think the Chairwoman talked about it, for
sure, in her opening remarks. That oftentimes I think that you
guys low ballee is expecting Congress to increase them? And I
am not being critical. I mean, it is a game that is being
played. And I don't think if we are looking at infrastructure
being critical for national security, which I believe it
absolutely is, then we ought not be playing games. We ought to
be just telling it like it is. And if it involves having to
raise taxes to pay for critical infrastructure, we should be
doing it. That is not for you. That is for us. Okay.
Indian Water Rights Settlements, these are settlements that
have been done. We owe the bill, the check hasn't been cut yet.
The Blackfeet Water Settlement, and this is just one of many,
expires, enforceability date of 2025. There is about a $172
million needed to finish that, 2025 that is like day after
tomorrow. There is, I think there is $40 million--no, no. I
have got the wrong one; but the bottom line is, is there is not
near enough in this proposal to deal with that. Do you have any
suggestions on how we are going to deal with that?
Mr. Palumbo. Thank you, Senator. We have looked very
closely at all of our Indian Water Rights Settlements, we
believe that we are on track with the Blackfeet to complete
both in terms of our technical capability, as well as the
funding stream that we have identified through discretionary
and mandatory appropriations. So we think we are well
positioned to make that 2025 date.
Senator Tester. Okay. That is good. We will hold you to
that. Now we are going to talk about regional water projects
that fit around those Native American water settlements. One of
them is where I live, although I don't personally get water
from it, so I have no conflict of interest. The North Central
Water Project deals with North Central Montana, a huge area,
you know, 200 miles by a 100 probably, is what this water
project does; square miles.
The question is: Back in '98 it was a hundred-million-
dollar project. Now it is well over 300 million. We pumped some
money in, but we are still--we kind of lost ground. We are at
$138 million needed to fix--to finish that project. Can you
tell me how this budget can be adequate to deal with that
problem?
Mr. Palumbo. Thank you, Senator. What we are doing in the
Bureau of Reclamation is prioritizing all of our funding needs,
including rural water projects, projects in the State of
Montana. Again, I think we are well positioned to make progress
commensurate with our technical capability.
Senator Tester. Once again, I will hold you to it.
Just a question for the record, if I might, Madam Chair. I
would like the Army Corps to give me a list of the ports.
Montana's a landlocked State, but we need ports to push out our
product. Could you give me a list of the ports that are in need
of repair to take on the ships that take a large amount of
water to get to the port? How many of them are adequate for
that, and how many need to be rebuilt to deal with that issue?
As I say, this is more of an issue for Kennedy than it is
for me, or for Senator Feinstein than it is for me. But the
truth is all of our drain goes to a port, and if we can't get
it out, we are done. And so we need to have those export
opportunities.
So I would love to know what kind of shape our ports are
in. And I am sure you have done that for somebody like Lindsey
Graham before. So you probably have it easy at your fingertips,
and if I could get those, that would also help make sure we
have that infrastructure available. Okay?
General Spellmon. Yes, sir.
Senator Tester. Thanks.
Senator Feinstein. Thanks, Senator Tester.
Senator Hyde-Smith.
Senator Hyde-Smith. Thank you, Madam Chairwoman.
General Spellmon, you and I have discussed the Yazoo area
pump--the Backwater Area Pump Project before, on several
occasions, and I also believe you have flown over, and you have
looked at it, and you have received briefings from the Corps of
Vicksburg District, and the local sponsor of the Mississippi
Levee Board. And as you know, the Yazoo Backwater Area has
experienced flooding 9 out of the past 10 years.
In 2019 alone, the flooding caused two deaths, hundreds of
millions of dollars in damages, destroyed over 600 homes, and
adversely affected the aquatic and terrestrial environment. And
on a very cold day, with ice on the ground and snow, very
unusual for Mississippi, I had to get in a four-wheel drive to
get there, but the Mississippi Valley Division Commander signed
a Record of Decision for a new proposed plan on January the
15th. And the Vicksburg District is currently utilizing $11.2
million provided for the fiscal year 2021 Omnibus
Appropriations Bill to carry out the preconstruction,
engineering and design activities.
Unfortunately, the Corps' fiscal year 2022 budget request
fails to mention the Yazoo Backwater Area Project. That is
despite the fact that the Corps' estimated fiscal year 2022
total capability for the project is approximately $25 million.
Those funds could be used to complete the PED (Pre-Construction
Engineering and Design) phase, continue NEPA (National
Environmental Policy Act) documentation, and carry out other
important activities to move this project alone.
Should Congress provide the necessary funding for the Yazoo
Backwater Area Project in the fiscal year 2022, Energy and
Water Appropriations Bill? Are you committed to putting these
funds to good use, to advance this much needed project?
General Spellmon. Yes, ma'am, absolutely. We remain
committed to this project. And as you know, I have had the
opportunity to visit it several times. You mentioned $25
million to complete preliminary engineering and design. What we
would like to see is $7.5 million, if we are offered a work
plan. That will allow us to complete PED for the first
construction contract and actually start turning dirt on this
very important project.
Senator Hyde-Smith. Very reassuring. Thank you so much for
your work, because you have been committed to this, and it is
so needed.
Assistant Secretary Pinkham. I was pleased to read in your
testimony that one of your Corps' two key objectives in
developing the fiscal year 2022 budget request was to promote
environmental justice. Approximately 71 percent of the Yazoo
Backwater Area population is minority. More than 30 percent of
the population lives below the poverty threshold right now.
The medium household income is roughly $31,000, far below
the national average. And since 2010, the population area has
declined by more than 10,000 people. People are losing jobs,
businesses are leaving, the residents most affected don't have
a safety net, the Corps' Environmental Justice Appendix of
Company, its final environmental document concluded, ``The new
proposed plan, as designed, would benefit low income and
minority populations in the Yazoo study area.'' Is there any
reason why moving forward with this project would not promote
environmental justice? And until this project is completed, I
would consider the perpetual flooding affecting the Yazoo
Backwater Area to be a tremendous environmental injustice. So,
is there any reason that we would not promote this moving
forward?
Mr. Pinkham. Senator Hyde-Smith, thank you for the
question. And I have had a chance to look at the information
you just shared as well in my briefings from the district, for
the very reasons, this to me has an alignment with
environmental justice for the facts that you have laid out, in
the briefings that I have received on it.
Senator Hyde-Smith. Thank you. And again, we so appreciate
your work on this, and we look forward to making some good
things happen, and making sure that we have a celebration soon
to continue this project. Thank you so very much.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
Senator Feinstein. I have another round, and I would like
to address this to Mr. Pinkham. We have 84 dams in California
that are in less than satisfactory condition, and would cause
fatalities, or significant property damage if they--pardon me?
Well, let me ask this question. Last year, this committee
provided an additional $7.5 million for the Corps to
demonstrate the beneficial use of dredged material at existing
projects.
Mr. Pinkham, your testimony highlighted $63 million for
projects to dispose of dredge material. I am interested if any
of this funding addresses beneficial use. Nationwide 60 percent
of the material, the Corps' dredges is not reused, and then I
could talk a little bit about multiple benefits in San
Francisco Bay. But what if any of the $63 million is for
beneficial use?
Mr. Pinkham. Madam Chair, I don't have that direct figure
in front of me right now, but I would be happy to follow up
with you. But certainly with just the short time that I have
been here, looking at some of the challenges that communities
are facing with disposal around contaminants, but there are
some great examples where we are seeing beneficial use of
dredge materials in reclaiming spawning habitat for salmon, and
Puget Sound, the development of recreational areas in Delaware
Bay, one I will visit next week.
So there are some great innovations that are taking place
with better use of disposable--the dredge materials; the exact
figure, I will have to look that up and provide a response
later.
Senator Feinstein. Okay, if you would. One other quick
question: regarding Corps assistance for 84 at-risk dams in
California. How quickly can you finalize the program rules and
get out these funds, so we can start repairing dangerously-
deficient dams in California?
Mr. Pinkham. Madam Chair, are you talking about the
Whittier Dam?
Senator Feinstein. Yes.
Mr. Pinkham. Yes. On that one we are--we continue to work
with OMB on finalizing the rule, it is on OMB's spring agenda.
I would be happy to work with OMB on trying to get you a better
timeline of when we can expect that rule to be made.
Senator Feinstein. Would you do that? And would you keep in
touch with us? I am really concerned. I mean, 84 is a big
number of dams to be at reach. It is hard for me to know what
is serious and what is not. So we really need that help, and I
wanted to bring it to your attention. So thank you for
following up. Appreciate it.
Senator Kennedy.
Senator Kennedy. I will defer to Senator Hagerty.
Gentlemen, I am going to send you letter with a couple of
requests dealing with some important bookkeeping, and of course
Senator Feinstein and her excellent team will know all about
it. If you could get back to us on that, I would be very
grateful.
Mr. Pinkham. Yes, sir.
Senator Kennedy. But I don't want to take up any more time.
I have had my bite at the apple.
Senator Feinstein. Thank you, Senator.
Senator Hagerty.
Senator Hagerty. Thank you, Chairwoman Feinstein. And thank
you very much Ranking Member Kennedy, for holding this hearing.
And to our distinguished guests, thank you all for being here
with us today.
I would like to specifically talk about border security and
our border wall. Between April 2019 and April 2020 the U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers awarded some $3.6 billion in contracts
for border wall construction. Specifically for fiscal year
2021, Congress, in a bipartisan manner, by this committee
appropriated $1.375 billion for border wall construction.
My first question to you, General Spellmon, is for the
border wall, how much of that $1.375 billion that was
appropriated for fiscal year 2021 has the Department of
Homeland Security obligated to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
to award contracts for border wall construction?
General Spellmon. Sir, I don't have that figure with me,
but I can get that to you by the end of the day.
Senator Hagerty. I would appreciate getting that figure.
General, do you know now how much of that $1.375 billion has
been awarded for border wall construction contracts?
General Spellmon. Of the DHS (Department of Homeland
Security) appropriation sir, specifically. No, no, sir, can get
that to you, all those figures for you.
Senator Hagerty. Well, if we could go to the, $4.5 billion
that was appropriated between fiscal years 2017 and 2020, how
much of that $4.5 billion, during that span, has been either
paused or canceled?
General Spellmon. Sir, if I can just--sir, let me take it
from the top. So the total appropriation for border wall
construction, is about on the order of $15 billion. So this was
the DHS appropriation, which you specifically asked about, but
it was also counter-drug funding, and then also deferred MILCON
funding.
Sir, we built up on the order of 455 miles with that--with
those funds, $2 billion--a little bit more than $2 billion has
been returned to the Department of Defense. These were MILCON
(Military Construction) funds, sir, that were not going to be
used on four projects. The remainder of those dollars will be
used for termination costs. We have 20 contracts that we have
terminated for the government's convenience, and we are in
negotiations now with each of those 20 vendors to work through
what those final bills will be.
Senator Hagerty. And General, what are the grounds for the
termination of those contracts?
General Spellmon. So, sir, a Termination for Convenience
clause is a standard clause in each of the government's
contracts. So the guidance that we received from the
administration, as you said, was to immediately pause work for
a 60-day period while the administration considered its next
steps. And so, sir, we are now, as I said, in the negotiation
phase with each one of those vendors.
Senator Hagerty. So to be clear, the administration told
you to pause or suspend. Can you give me the exact direction
that you received there?
General Spellmon. So we paused all of that work. We made
safe each of those construction sites down on the border. So
what I mean by that, is we marked trenches where we had
potential for people to fall. We blocked mountain roads that
were designed for construction. We wanted to make sure that the
public did not have access up there. We braced and secured a
lot of steel that we had pre-positioned along the border for
eventual placement.
Senator Hagerty. So the funds that this committee, on a
bipartisan basis, has appropriated have now been paused based
on the direction that you received from the White House?
General Spellmon. So we were paused, and then the new
direction from the administration, and now, as I said, it was,
we were going through a Termination for Convenience for each of
those 20 contracts. And as I said, each one of those is a
separate negotiation with the contractor.
Senator Hagerty. So the decision to slow down, freeze, and
otherwise not proceed, has been made based on guidance from the
White House?
General Spellmon. This is the guidance that we received
from the administration. Yes, sir. For my case, through DoD
(Department of Defense) and the Army.
Senator Hagerty. Well, I will underscore the fact that this
committee, on a bipartisan basis, has allocated these funds for
a specific purpose. And I am very concerned about following the
rule of law, and the possible impoundment of these funds, which
I think you know, would be a great concern to me and every
member of this committee. I appreciate you getting back to me
with the information on the expenditures that you described.
And I will yield back the rest of my time. Thank you.
Senator Feinstein. Thank you, Senator.
Senator Heinrich.
Senator Heinrich. I have a number of questions, but I am
just going to take a moment to talk a little bit about that
situation, because I have seen border wall built in some of the
most insane and unrealistic areas where, frankly, it is the
wrong solution and for, you know, parts of the border where a
wall doesn't provide you any additional security because it is
on such a steep slope in a place where it is, so easy to evade
that the biggest thing that it actually does is create an
obstacle for our border patrol agents to actually have
situational awareness.
So I would commend this administration for actually looking
at the details of some of these issues, and making sure that we
are actually using the right technology on a--to secure our
border.
With that, Mr. Pinkham, I want to ask you a little bit
about the Middle Rio Grande Endangered Species Program; that
has been around for quite a few years. It has provided
irreplaceable data. It has been effective at recovering a
number of endangered species. It has been effective at
protecting existing, and future water uses, and since 2010, the
Corps has been supporting that program allocating upwards of
$2.5 million per fiscal year.
However, funding was stripped in 2021 by the previous
administration. I want to acknowledge, and I want to thank this
administration for restoring funding in the fiscal year 2022
budget. And just ask you how we can work together to identify a
more secure and sustainable funding source for this program so
that we don't find ourselves in the same position in the
future.
Mr. Pinkham. Senator Heinrich, thank you for bringing that
to my attention. I would like to spend more time learning about
the project too, and making sure that we meet our ESA
commitments that have been laid out there, so that we can move
these pieces towards recovery. So I look forward to working
with you on a solution.
Senator Heinrich. We will engage with you on that. And
credit where credit is due, this is really a work that, Senator
Domenici and Senator Bingaman started a very effective program
with a lot of collaboration, and we want to continue that. The
Tribal partnership program is the only Corps authority that
specifically targets Tribes as partners, identifying
opportunities to work with entities that otherwise might not be
reached.
Continued support for this program, and the designated
funding that it provides will allow Tribal communities
throughout my State and others, to effectively plan for future
development, as well as protect their land from
overdevelopment, from flooding. A lot of other issues that you
are aware of, with a growing awareness of this program an
increasing number of Tribes have begun to approach the Corps to
participate in these studies.
However the 2022 budget only requests $175,000 for this
program. Can you provide any explanation for why the budget
request is so low compared to previous years?
Mr. Pinkham. I can't provide a specific answer to that.
But, I recognize that you are you are stating is there is that
growing awareness amongst Tribes and using this for doing
assessments, some planning work, and I know we have got actual
construction work that is going on in a Missouri River with the
Lower Sioux Brule Tribe. So this interest is growing, and I
think this will speak well to the collaboration between our
agency and this Congress about what are resources that we could
bring to bear and put to good use on the ground.
Senator Heinrich. I do think, given the focus on
environmental justice from this administration, that this is a
program that bears some attention and was under-considered in
the current budget. The last thing for you, I want to ask you a
little bit about--or at least put on your radar screen, I
should say. The issue of acequias in the Southwest, these are
community irrigation systems that have been around for hundreds
and hundreds of years.
We have had to fight continually for them to be considered
the water development structures that they are. Actually back
in the 1986 the Water Resources Development Act, Congress
declared that restoration and preservation of these engineering
works has cultural and historic value and, authorized critical
funding for acequia infrastructure. And I just want to ask you
to consider what your agency's plans should be for addressing
acequia infrastructure in 2022, and how we can work together to
preserve these assets, because I think it is an area that has,
not received the attention that it is due, and it is a very
culturally central issue to the State of New Mexico.
Mr. Pinkham. Thank you.
Senator Heinrich. Thank you, Chair.
Senator Feinstein. Thank you, Senator.
Senator Hoeven.
Senator Hoeven. Thank you, Madam Chairwoman.
Mr. Pinkham, you mentioned the Innovative Financing
program, and, my first question for you would be, would the Red
River Valley Flood Protection Project in North Dakota and
Minnesota be a good candidate for that innovative program?
Mr. Pinkham. Senator Hoeven, I am not familiar with that
project yet. Will be happy to look into it and provide you a
response.
Senator Hoeven. Okay. It is a public-private partnership.
It has been authorized. The Federal share is $750 million, of
which $360 million has already been--roughly has already--has
been expended. And it fixes the Federal share at about 35
percent, which is 35 percent of the project, and the locals and
the State are picking up 65 percent, which, you know, is the
reverse of what you usually have to pay. So it seems to me like
it is a heck of a good deal for you, and I would sure hope you
would look at it and, see if you can't lend some support.
Mr. Pinkham. All right. Will do. Thank you.
Senator Hoeven. You are willing to do that? Are you
willing----
Mr. Pinkham. Yes. I am willing to take a look at it,
Senator.
Senator Hoeven. Okay, thanks. And General--oh. The other
one is, for Minot which had a terrible flood--Minot, North
Dakota, had terrible flood in 2011. And there is about a $1.2
billion project of which we are trying to get $65 million for
one of the phases of the project. We have broken it into eight
phases, about $65 million out of it for the Corps. Benefit-cost
ratio is an issue, but that phase would link together about
half of the total flood protection for the community, which is
clearly-roughly-50,000 people.
But also at the air force base, just north of 12,000
people, and when that flood occurred, those people couldn't get
to grocery stores. So there is a national security aspect to it
in terms of addressing that benefit-cost ratio to qualify for
funding. And I would ask that you would look at that and
hopefully help us with it. Is that something you are willing to
look at?
Mr. Pinkham. Yes, Senator.
Senator Hoeven. Thank you.
General Spellmon. Thank you. We appreciate you. Thanks for
the work that you have done in a number of areas; thank you
most recently for your work on the Dakota Access Pipeline, and
for being open and willing to work with us on that. It has a
huge impact, not only for the State of North Dakota, but for
three affiliated Tribes. And, so I want to, again, express my
appreciation to you and your crew for the straightforward way
you have approached it, and been willing to work with us on it.
Do you have a status update on the EIS and when you might
complete EIS?
General Spellmon. Sir, the technical work is ongoing by the
Omaha District, as well as Tribal consultation with the--with
the affected Tribes, and so we remain on a glide path right now
for a March 2022 Record of Decision to complete that EIS.
Senator Hoeven. And I also want to thank you for your work
on the Red River Valley Flood Protection Project, for your
willingness to come out and see it. We are making real progress
there. The whole private sector bid is coming up here soon--or
bid opening, I should say. As you know, that is now a $3.2
billion project to which the State and locals have stepped up
to cover 65 percent of it. Of the $750 million Federal
authorization of which you have funded 360, will you commit to
make sure that we get funding this year to do the work that is
scheduled, so we keep this project on schedule?
General Spellmon. So just a quick, you are aware of the
$150 million that we did receive, that is going to funding the
excavation for the Red River control structure, and the bulk of
the Interstate 29 Raise. Sir, if we are offered a fiscal year
2022 work plan, I would request $180 million to keep us on
schedule.
And, sir, that will fund much of the embankment work, and
some of the mitigation contracts that follows, and that keep
us--that sort of--that funding level would do it, would keep us
on schedule for an operational system for a spring 2027 flood
season.
Senator Hoeven. Thank you for your help on this multi-
State, very important flood protection project, and innovative
public-private partnership. And as you know now, we have got
both States on board, we have resolved the litigation. And so
your help is really appreciated and we hope to stay on schedule
with your help. Thank you.
And my final question is for Mr. Palumbo. Will the Bureau
of Reclamation continue to work with Congress and our State to
ensure that the Northwest Area Water Supply Project is funded
by the Federal Government as is consistent with the Dakota
Water Resources Act?
Mr. Palumbo. Yes, Senator, we will. We are very much
committed to that project.
Senator Hoeven. Okay. Again, let me express my appreciation
with these important projects, to all three of you. Thank you.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
Senator Feinstein. Thank you. Are there other questions?
Senator Hagerty. Madam Chair, if you would allow me just a
few minutes to----
Senator Feinstein. Yes, of course.
Senator Hagerty [continuing]. Follow up on a couple of
items, I very much would appreciate that.
Senator Feinstein. Of course. Go ahead.
Senator Hagerty. Mr. Pinkham, I would just like to bring to
your attention the bridge failure on Interstate 40, between
Memphis and Arkansas, connecting my State to the State of
Arkansas, it has created an incredible emergency situation in
my home State, as I am certain you are aware. It resulted in
the shutdown of the Mississippi River for several days,
hundreds of millions of dollars of commodities held up in that
process, and has created just massive traffic problems because
that bridge just has to be driven around and avoided.
And May 15th I wrote a letter to President Biden asking for
interagency cooperation to make certain that, of course, the
coast guard that has primary jurisdiction over the waterways,
the Department of Transportation, you know, had several
conversations with Secretary Buttigieg on this. We are
prioritizing this. Our State Departments of Transportation,
both in Tennessee and Arkansas, are working on it. And I would
be very interested to know the engagement that you have had,
that the Corps has had on this project.
Mr. Pinkham. Senator Hagerty, I have no personal
engagement, but I would be happy to check with members of the
staff.
Senator Hagerty. If you would do that, I would appreciate
it, Mr. Pinkham. And if you could also let me know if you have
any sort of contingency plans put in place, or if you are
working on contingent contingency plans, because this emergency
situation right now may be a very long-term fix. And so
understanding the increments to get there I think it will be
extremely helpful.
And I would just like to add one bit of thanks, Madam
Chair, and this is about Chickamauga Dam. My predecessor,
Senator Lamar Alexander, worked very hard on this. The team
worked very hard on this for years. I went to visit the dam.
$191 million has been committed by this subcommittee to
complete that project. It should be completed, the team on the
ground told me by April of 2024. It is a huge project,
massively important, and I want to acknowledge the work of this
subcommittee in making that happen for my State. And thanks to
all of you for your support. Thank you very much. Thank you
very much.
Senator Feinstein. Thank you, Senator. And we appreciate
it.
Senator Hagerty. Indeed. Indeed.
SUBCOMMITTEE RECESS
Senator Feinstein. And thank you, our witnesses. I think
your testimony was well received.
And we will be in recess--or adjourned, I should say.
[Whereupon, at 11:20 a.m., Wednesday, June 9, the
subcommittee was recessed, to reconvene subject to the call of
the Chair.]
ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2022
----------
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23, 2021
U.S. Senate,
Subcommittee of the Committee on Appropriations,
Washington, DC.
The subcommittee met at 10:01 a.m. in room SD-192, Dirksen
Senate Office Building, Hon. Dianne Feinstein (chairman)
presiding.
Present: Senators Feinstein, Murray, Shaheen, Merkley,
Coons, Kennedy, Hoeven, Hyde-Smith, and Hagerty.
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Office of the Secretary
STATEMENT OF HON. JENNIFER GRANHOLM, SECRETARY
ACCOMPANIED BY DR. CHARLES P. VERDON, ACTING UNDER SECRETARY OF ENERGY
FOR NUCLEAR SECURITY AND ACTING ADMINISTRATOR FOR THE
NATIONAL NUCLEAR SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
OPENING STATEMENT OF SENATOR DIANNE FEINSTEIN
Senator Feinstein. Good morning, everyone. The Subcommittee
on Energy and Water will come to order.
Today's hearing is going to review the fiscal year 2022
Budget Request for the Department of Energy. And of course that
includes the National Nuclear Security Administration as well.
Ranking Member Kennedy and I will each have a brief
statement, which I am in the process of making. And then we
will recognize each Senator for an opening statement, if they
wish to make one. We will then turn to Secretary Granholm to
present testimony on behalf of the Department of Energy.
Welcome, Madam Secretary. It is good to see you again.
At the conclusion of the witness' testimony, I will
recognize Senators for 5 minutes of questions each, and the
usual procedure.
Secretary Granholm, and you, Dr. Verdon, for joining us
today, thank you again. I am particularly pleased to see the
Secretary who got her start at the University of California,
Berkeley, was a Golden Bear, and later returned to the school
as a faculty member. So your California roots are there, and I
thank you for them.
I would like to just quickly begin by a statement--with the
statement on the fiscal year 2022 request for the Department,
which totals $46.2 billion. This represents a more than $4
billion increase over 2021. And that is a lot of money. I
applaud the administration's resolve to follow California's
model and act aggressively to combat climate change.
We are experiencing a climate emergency today, and
California is on the frontline of this crisis as evidenced by
worsening droughts and wildfires. So we need to find those
solutions that can reverse climate change, if that is possible,
and promptly respond to climate-related disasters.
The budget request makes investments in the fields of basic
research and scientific discovery. We face an increasing
challenge from China, which is seeking to supplant the United
States as a leader technology. And so this also must be
addressed. This budget's investment in research and development
includes a $414 million increase for the Office of Science to
make certain advances in priority areas that put quantum
information science, Exascale computing, and artificial
intelligence, and machine learning; we should, I think, go even
further in funding these important areas.
I will put the remainder of my statement in the record,
but, we would like to proceed.
So if I can, let me welcome the witnesses. No, let me
welcome my Ranking Member. Thank you.
STATEMENT OF SENATOR JOHN KENNEDY
Senator Kennedy. Thank you, Madam Chair. I will try to be
brief.
Mr. Under Secretary; welcome Madam Secretary. Welcome. I
don't know whether to call you Secretary, or Governor, or
general, as in attorney general, or professor. I think I will
stick with Secretary.
I am not going to concentrate as much on the arithmetic
today, because I think we all know the President, whatever
President, submits a budget and Congress kind of does what it
wants. I shouldn't say Congress because I don't know how the
House works. I have learned a little bit about how the Senate
works. Senators are like cats. They do what they want.
Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn't.
But we are in the process of putting together a budget, and
I don't think I am going out on the limb by saying it will be
different than the President's submission. That is not personal
to President Biden. That is always the case.
I want to say a word about our energy policy. I know a lot
of Departments touch on it, but I am pretty much an-all-of-the-
above-energy type guy. I believe in fossil fuels. I believe if
we can produce wind and so more efficiently, gosh, we ought to
pursue it. I believe in hydrogen, the potential there, or
hydroelectric potential, and nuclear.
And I mean it. I am kind of an all-of-the-above guy. I just
think we ought to pursue whatever works and whatever is most
efficient. I will just make two quick points. I get concerned
about the administration's hostility toward fossil fuels. I do.
I think, not all, but I think with many members of the
administration, it is more of an emotional reaction than a
rational reaction, in my judgment.
As a result of natural gas, we are one of the few major
countries that has reduced our carbon emissions. And that is
just a fact. And we did that because of natural gas. Some
people who believe that we need to--well, they believe we need
to start over with our energy policy, and get rid of fossil
fuels, and if we do that, it is going to be pretty expensive.
And I think for a fraction of the cost, we can try to make
our fossil fuels cleaner. And I am talking about carbon
capture, storage, and utilization. And it makes sense to me to
pursue that. And I think a rational person will pursue that.
Now, somebody who sees climate change, I don't mean this in a
pejorative sense, but somebody who sees the climate change
issue as a religion, is probably not going to look at that. But
I don't think that is rational.
Point two: I think nuclear can be a part of our mix, it is
expensive but it is clean, and it is much safer. And I hope we
can talk about that a little bit today. I watched with
amazement when, Mrs. Merkel in Germany, who I think has done a
pretty good job running her country. It is not my place to say,
but I have got an opinion like everybody else; but I looked in
amazement when she got rid of all of her nuclear and said the
solution to our energy needs is to buy the gas from Russia. And
it never made sense to me. But I guess none of us are perfect.
But I wanted to share those thoughts with you. And I hope
we can talk about some of them today. And welcome to both of
you.
Senator Feinstein. Thank you very much.
Senator Hyde-Smith, Senator Hagerty, if you would both like
to make opening statements. And, obviously the woman first,
please.
STATEMENT OF SENATOR CINDY HYDE-SMITH
Senator Hyde-Smith. Thank you, Madam Chairman, for that
opportunity because I would, and I will be very brief.
Thank you to both the witnesses that are here today that
will testify. And, Madam Secretary, as you are well aware,
energy issues continue to dominate the national agenda. And as
Senator Kennedy spoke, you know, it is very much talked about
right now, and in a concerning way to me as well, but as
appropriators, it is our responsibility to find ways to keep up
with the world's ever-extending energy demands, and while also
increasing our capacity, and our security here at home.
And one way that we can expand our power capacity is to
increase the use of nuclear energy in America, in my opinion.
And I am proud to highlight that the Grand Gulf Nuclear Site in
Port Gibson, Mississippi, and I hope nuclear energy will play a
larger role as clean, efficient energy source. And I have
always supported energy diversification, and the development of
energy sources that will expand our supply, but Mississippi has
a diverse energy portfolio. But I believe it is critical that
we recognize the important role fossil fuel resources will play
in meeting the demands of Americans.
But fossil fuels such as coal, and offshore, and oil and
gas, they have been a main source of power for this country.
And it is crucial that we find new ways to increase the
potential by making fossil fuels cleaner, as Senator Kennedy
mentioned, and to use them, but to not eliminate them
altogether. That is a great concern of mine. Thank you.
Senator Feinstein. Thank you.
Senator Hagerty, would you like to make an opening
statement?
STATEMENT OF SENATOR BILL HAGERTY
Senator Hagerty. Thank you, Madam Chair. And I appreciate
the opportunity. Ranking Member Kennedy, thank you as well; and
I appreciate your comments.
I would just like to echo, Secretary Granholm, we have
talked about this, but echo the points raised by my colleagues
that our energy security is a critical element of our national
security. As we have discussed before in my previous role as
U.S. Ambassador to Japan, I worked very hard to get our allies
to work with us, to be our partners in energy security.
America's energy independence is a vital component of our
national security. And I think that our allies benefit from our
ability to actually export energy to them so that they are not
reliant on countries like Russia.
And as I mentioned to them on numerous occasions in Japan,
we are not only talking about exporting energy, we are talking
about exporting freedom. So the national security elements of
this I think are critically important, and I am very dismayed
about the posture that the administration has taken against
fossil fuels.
The prices at the pumps today have gone up significantly. I
am from Tennessee. We commute in our State, and the average
person is seeing prices at the pumps rise more than 30 percent
since the Biden administration has come into office. This is a
tax on our middle-class, it is a tax felt by all, and it is
going to create great economic pain, even if it is not included
in the CPI (Consumer Price Index), every good has got to be
transported in America.
This has inflationary impacts that go well beyond the
immediate strategy, I think, to make fossil fuels less
desirable and create an economic subsidy for alternative fuel.
So I am for all of the above, in terms of energy strategy. I am
pleased to be from a State like Tennessee that has a great
background in nuclear energy. And I look forward to talking
more about Oak Ridge National Lab when I come back to
questions. Thank you for being here.
Senator Feinstein. Thank you very much.
Senator Merkley, do you want to make an opening statement?
Senator Merkley. No, Madam Chair. I think I am happy for us
to proceed. Thank you.
Senator Feinstein. And Senator.
Senator Shaheen. No. I would like to talk about energy
efficiency, which I think is one overlooked energy source, but
I will save that for my questions. Thank you.
Senator Feinstein. Thank you very much.
Secretary Granholm, please make your opening statement, and
we welcome you here.
SUMMARY STATEMENT OF HON. JENNIFER GRANHOLM
Secretary Granholm. Great. Thank you so much for inviting
me to testify. Thank you to Chair Feinstein, and Ranking Member
Kennedy, and to the other members of the subcommittee. It is
truly an honor to serve as the 16th Secretary of the Department
of Energy, and to make comments about the President's 2022
budget request for the Department of Energy.
I am very pleased to report that since January 20, we at
the Department of Energy have taken important steps toward the
Department's priorities. Our budget request, obviously, would
help us to further the activities that we have already begun.
So far we have invested $1.5 billion to strengthen our
national security, and to accelerate progress toward a net-zero
economy, and much of that has gone toward improving and
deploying existing market-ready solutions, setting new goals,
for example, to cut solar in half yet, again, adding 30
gigawatts of offshore wind capacity by 2030. So, that is
existing, but at the same time we are supporting breakthroughs
in clean energy.
So our new Energy Earthshots Initiative will set a series
of ambitious, achievable targets for commercializing emerging
zero-carbon technologies. The first one, Senator Kennedy, you
will be happy to know is our Hydrogen Shot. And that is setting
a goal of getting the cost of clean hydrogen down to $1, for
one kilogram, in one decade.
And I would also note that last week we announced $12
million funding opportunity to advance direct air capture
technologies. And yesterday we announced a new $61 million
investment on nuclear energy, which was distributed throughout
the country, 30 States, 99 entities got money to advance
research in advanced nuclear technology. Both of these are
priorities that have been outlined in the budget proposal as
well.
So, Chairwoman Feinstein, these droughts, and these heat
waves, and these wildfires that are plaguing the west and
straining our energy system, remind us yet again, of course, of
the need to enhance our power grid and expand resiliency on
that grid, especially to all forms of extreme weather. And that
is why we announced in April that we are making $8.25 billion
available in loans to improve our Nation's transmission
systems, and of course the ransomware attacks on Colonial
Pipeline underscores the need for investment in cyber security
on our Nation's energy infrastructure as well.
We are engaging with the private sector around strategies
for hardening the critical infrastructure against ransomware,
and these evolving 21st century threats. We are also
strengthening our energy security through a multi-agency effort
to bolster domestic supply chains like for lithium batteries
that we need for storage, and for electric vehicles.
We released a report and a series of actions on this exact
topic a couple of weeks ago. Since January 20th, our Vehicle
Technologies Office has already made $362 million available for
projects that advance battery technology, and reduce emissions
from light- and heavy-duty vehicles.
So we are proud of our work so far. We are grateful to this
subcommittee for making this work possible through last year's
appropriations. And we look forward to building on the
progress. And let me just say, we know that if Congress were to
pass the American Jobs Plan, or an iteration thereof, we would
be able to, exponentially, expand on that work.
But as the Chairwoman noted, in the meantime, our budget
request would invest $46 billion in these key priorities,
including a 65 percent increase in our Office of Energy
Efficiency and Renewable Energy, and a record $1.8 billion for
our nuclear energy program, which will, of course, all help us
to deploy clean and cheap power on a reliable and resilient
grid.
The budget would also support greater research in clean
energy and carbon reduction at the national labs, and usher in
greater diversity in the STEM (Science, Technology,
Engineering, and Mathematics) fields. And here I want to thank
the Senate for passing the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act,
which authorizes the Department $17 billion in support of our
efforts to keep the country competitive in a global economy.
And that funding, coupled with our budget request, is going
to help the Department, and our 17 national labs put America at
the forefront of clean energy innovation worldwide. And of
course the budget would also strengthen the Department's
nuclear security mission. And I am so glad that Dr. Verdon is
here to talk about that today. And our Environmental Management
program, for which we have asked for one of the highest levels
of annual funding, and that would facilitate progress on our
cleanup sites.
All told these all represent a down payment on a cleaner
and more prosperous future, but one that will not truly be
fulfilled without that American Jobs Plan. The infrastructure
bill that you all are negotiating, which would position our
country to compete in a global clean energy market, and it
would confront the climate crisis and create millions of good-
paying jobs. And it would also, I would say build--lift up
disadvantaged communities, including Tribal nations and
communities of color that have been historically burdened by
pollution.
And I would say this, too. It would provide the
Department--it would bolster our Department's ongoing efforts
to provide fossil energy workers with real opportunities to
forge careers in cleaner fossil, and clean energy. And that is
what it means to build back better.
So I know the request is large. We do believe the need is
urgent. DOE (Department of Energy) will use the funding
effectively, if appropriated, to tackle these big challenges. I
am humbled by the opportunity to lead the Department.
And I look forward to working with you all. And happy to
answer any questions you may have.
[The statement follows:]
Prepared Statement of Secretary Jennifer M. Granholm
Chairwoman Feinstein, Ranking Member Kennedy, and Members of the
Committee, it is an honor to appear before you today to discuss the
President's FY 2022 Budget request for the Department of Energy (``the
Department'' or ``DOE'').
It is a privilege to serve as the 16th Secretary of Energy and have
the responsibility of leading the Department in delivering
technological advancements, scientific discoveries, and advancing the
energy, economic, and national security of the United States.
I am proud to say we have accomplished a lot in my first few months
at DOE.
In addition, of course, to continuing to advance our core science
and security missions, we have jump-started efforts to create jobs and
build the clean energy economy of the future, an economy that works
better for American families and an economy that works for all kinds of
communities with jobs for all kinds of workers. We declared to the
world that America is back at the table for climate action and followed
it up with new funding opportunities for technologies ranging from
carbon capture to geothermal energy to extracting critical minerals
from coal waste. And we set ambitious new goals to cut solar costs by
more than half and add 30 gigawatts of offshore wind capacity by 2030.
We will deliver these goals while addressing long-standing and
persistent racial and environmental injustice and taking action to
benefit disadvantaged communities.
We announced over $1 billion in new funding opportunities, grants,
and awards for projects with the potential to punch through obstacles
in our way to a net-zero carbon future by 2050. These new funding
opportunities, grants, and awards for projects include developing
cutting-edge solar technology, improving vehicle efficiency,
modernizing water infrastructure, and
researching everything from microelectronics that can launch the
next digital revolution, to powerful particle accelerators that can
help us answer some of our biggest questions about the universe. This
funding also included $109.5 million in funding for carbon capture,
critical mineral recovery, and geothermal energy projects that directly
support job creation in coal communities impacted by changes in the
energy economy.
We announced multiple funding opportunities that provided
demonstration and deployment support to the sustainable transportation
sector, totaling $224M. This includes funding for bioenergy pre-pilot
technologies to pilot scale and/or demonstration scale projects that
support sustainable aviation and marine fuels, CO2
conversion, waste and underutilized carbon feedstocks. This funding
will demonstrate efficiency improvement and emission reduction
opportunities in medium- and heavy-duty trucks and their associated
freight systems.
We launched the Energy Earthshots Initiative, an all-hands-on-deck
call for innovation, collaboration and acceleration of our clean energy
economy by tackling the toughest remaining barriers to quickly deploy
emerging clean energy technologies at scale. The first Earthshot
focuses on hydrogen, sets an ambitious yet achievable cost target to
accelerate innovations and spur demand of clean hydrogen. We also
announced new immediate policy actions to scale up a domestic
manufacturing supply chain for advanced battery materials and
technologies to accelerate our efforts to decarbonize the economy.
We kicked off a 100-day plan to address cybersecurity risks to the
U.S. electric system. And we witnessed Perseverance roving around the
surface of Mars, powered by tech produced in our National Labs.
Internally, we held our very first Jobs & Justice town hall,
spelling out what it means to center job creation and equity in all of
our work.
We have kept our country safe by supporting a safe, secure, and
effective nuclear stockpile, and a continued modernization program. And
all the while, our labs continued working toward groundbreaking
discoveries, including in the fight against COVID-19.
But these investments are really just a down payment on what we
need to do as a nation. To really build an economy that positions
American families and American communities to thrive, we need the
resources the American Jobs Plan and the FY 2022 Budget request will
provide to take us further.
the american jobs plan
In March, President Biden released the American Jobs Plan. This
represents the biggest investment in America since World War II and is
a once-in-a-generation investment in our nation's economy. Especially
in our energy infrastructure and our ability to win the global energy
market. This plan will put millions of people to work and lay the
foundation for economic growth for decades to come.
Globally, there is a $23 trillion market for clean energy products
and for products that will reduce carbon pollution. This is a massive
opportunity for this country. Other countries are seeing that
opportunity as well, and our economic competitors are working to corner
the market on those opportunities. The question is: Where are those
products going to be built, and who will build them?
Through the American Jobs Plan, our country is going to corner the
market and lead on manufacturing these products, providing good-paying
jobs to the American people. It's going to take a lot of work, but the
pay-off will be worth it. It will provide millions of people in the
United States opportunities to build clean energy technologies, energy
products and energy infrastructure that not only will make our country
stronger, but will allow them to support their families and strengthen
their local economies. And we all know that, in the 21st Century,
making sure that we have the right infrastructure is critical.
Infrastructure is roads and bridges, it is the electrical grid that
keeps the lights on, it is ports, airports, and trains, it is pipes
that pump water into our homes, and it is the broadband that both
brings the world and learning to our children and brings opportunity to
our businesses. Infrastructure is so broad that it creates jobs in all
pockets of America.
I want to work with you to make these investments so that together
we deploy the energy infrastructure that our economy needs now, while
at the same time advancing cutting-edge clean energy technologies,
creating millions of good-paying union clean energy jobs, and building
an equitable clean energy future.
fy 2022 president's budget request
President Biden's proposed FY 2022 Budget request for the
Department of Energy invests $46.2 billion to advance key priorities
including creating jobs through clean energy projects, bringing America
to the forefront of clean energy innovation, tackling the climate
crisis with the urgency that science demands, investing in communities
that have been left behind, and ensuring the safety and security of the
nuclear stockpile.
Creating Jobs through Clean Energy Projects and Energy Efficiency
Retrofits-
The budget request supports the President's vision of achieving
carbon pollution-free electricity by 2035 while creating good-paying
jobs by investing $1.9 billion in a Building Clean Energy Projects and
Workforce Initiative at DOE. This investment will support programmatic
infrastructure for a new energy efficiency and clean electricity
standard, a new Build Back Better Challenge Grant competition to
support novel State-, local-, and tribal-level approaches to clean
energy deployment that provides benefits to marginalized and
overburdened communities and streamlined transmission investment. These
investments will develop and deploy technologies that will deliver a
clean energy revolution resulting in cheap, abundant clean power
delivered on a modern energy grid that is resilient and reliable.
Spurring Innovation in Clean Energy Technologies
Within DOE, the budget request invests more than $8 billion for
applied energy programs with a focus on clean energy and climate
innovation. From investing in advanced nuclear, electric vehicles, and
an Energy Earthshots Initiative, to funding innovative approaches to
air conditioning and refrigeration, the FY 2022 request puts the Nation
on a path to quadruple clean energy research in four years, emphasizing
U.S. pre-eminence in innovating the technologies needed to tackle the
climate crisis.
Applied energy investments include:
--$4.732B for the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy to
jump-start progress toward the goal of a carbon pollution-free
electricity sector by 2035 and net zero emissions, economy-
wide, by no later than 2050.
--$1.851B for the Office of Nuclear Energy, a 23% increase over FY
2021 funding levels, to extend the impact of research,
development, demonstration & deployment funding by leveraging
mechanisms such as competitive awards, technical assistance,
and programs targeted to small businesses. This enables the
commercialization of climate change and clean energy
innovations.
--$890M for the Fossil Energy and Carbon Management Research and
Development program to conduct research, development, and
demonstration projects for technologies that help to ensure
clean and affordable energy for all Americans; facilitate the
transition toward a carbon-pollution-free economy, including by
addressing the emissions and other environmental impacts of
fossil fuel; rebuild a U.S critical minerals supply chain; and
retain and create good paying jobs.
--$327M for the Office of Electricity to lead the Department's
efforts to strengthen, transform, and improve energy
infrastructure so consumers have equitable access to resilient,
secure, and clean sources of electricity.
The Budget also includes $201M for the Office of Cybersecurity,
Energy Security, and Emergency Response (CESER), which leads the
Department's efforts to secure U.S. energy infrastructure against all
hazards, reduce the risks of and impacts from cyber events and other
disruptive events, and assist with restoration activities.
These investments will leverage the tremendous innovation capacity
of our 17 National Laboratories, America's universities, and
entrepreneurs to transform our power, transportation, buildings, and
industrial sectors to clean, emissions-free power sources and help
achieve a net- zero emissions economy by 2050. The budget request
advances us toward these goals by building on the basic science
breakthroughs at our National Laboratories; and employing the resources
that turn those science breakthroughs in energy and deployable
technologies like those supported by the Advanced Research Projects
Agency-Energy (ARPA-E).
Meanwhile, the Department's energy programs, which run the gamut
from renewables to efficiency, carbon capture to hydrogen, and grid
technology to storage are going to make it their mission to bring clean
energy solutions to life. Building on ARPA-E's success, the budget
request also includes funding to establish the Advanced Research
Projects Agency for Climate (ARPA-C), to develop transformative
solutions for the climate crisis through R&D support for high-impact
innovative technologies to address adaptation and resilience
challenges, as well as non-energy emissions mitigation. ARPA-C will
work with other Agencies to lay the foundation for future climate
change solutions across the Federal Government.
Revitalizing the Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management while
Supporting Coal and Power Plant Communities
The budget request supports increased funding for a revitalized
Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management that will advance carbon
reduction and mitigation in sectors and applications that are difficult
to decarbonize, including the industrial sector, with technologies and
methods such as carbon capture and storage, hydrogen, and direct air
capture--all while ensuring the reduction in pollution and cumulative
impacts to overburdened communities.
The budget request also helps DOE build the energy economy back
better in a way that lifts up communities who have not yet seen a
future for themselves in the energy transition and those who have just
been left behind for far too long. This includes funding DOE's role in
supporting the newly established Interagency Working Group on Coal and
Power Plant Communities and Economic Revitalization. By supporting the
POWER+ Initiative, DOE will help communities impacted by the energy
transition and ensure their success. DOE programs can support fossil
fuel workers translating their skills to new positions in various
areas, from extracting critical minerals from coal mine sites and
upgrading pipelines to reduce methane leakage to building carbon
capture and hydrogen systems on existing industrial and power plant
facilities; from building zero-emissions buses and upgrading the power
grid to drilling for geothermal energy. Their predecessors built the
U.S. economy of the 20th Century; they will power the economy of the
21st Century.
The Department will also support communities of color living with
the toxic legacy of air pollution, those who are still paying too much
for their energy, and who are often the first and worst impacted by the
climate emergency. With targeted investments, DOE will help communities
impacted by the energy sector and advance environmental justice and
equity.
Expanding Foundational Research, Emphasizing Climate and Clean Energy
Science
The budget request invests $7.4 billion, an increase of more than
$400 million over 2021 levels, in the Office of Science to better
understand our changing climate, identify and develop novel materials
and concepts for clean energy technologies of the future, advance
artificial intelligence and quantum science, as well as the world's
most advanced computing to enhance prediction and decision-making
across numerous environmental and scientific challenges, and of course
to support the national research community with cutting-edge scientific
facilities. This investment in foundational research will support
America's first-rate scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs, who
develop and deploy technologies that improve our lives and jumpstart
new industries.
Investing in Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority
Serving Institutions
The FY 2022 Budget request creates and enhances research funding
opportunities and invests in infrastructure such as laboratory
facilities upgrades for Historically Black Colleges and Universities
(HBCUs) and other Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs). It also
increases resources for workforce development programs to augment
pathways to good-paying Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math
(STEM) careers for students attending these schools. New grant awards,
including a research center focused on climate, will expand research
capacity, and create new opportunities at HBCUs and other MSIs. The FY
2022 Budget request will build on the Department's existing
relationships with HBCUs and MSIs, establish new partnerships with
these institutions, and include them in our efforts to target
disadvantaged communities for new clean energy investments, jobs, and
businesses, while doubling down on our commitments to racial justice.
Cybersecurity Activities
The FY 2022 Budget Request proposes to invest $642 million in
cybersecurity activities, an increase of $189 million over the FY 2021
Enacted level. This will enable the Department to make significant
contributions toward modernizing cybersecurity defenses by protecting
federal networks and strengthening the United States' ability to
respond to incidents when they occur.
The Department will be guided by the key areas, as identified in
Executive Order 14028, which include; remove barriers to threat
information sharing between government and the private sector;
modernize and implement stronger cybersecurity standards; improve
software supply chain security; improve investigative and remediation
capabilities; and improve cybersecurity threat hunting and response
through improved logging and data analytics.
Sustaining Investment in Environmental Cleanup
The Office of Environmental Management (EM) supports DOE to meet
the challenges of the Nation's Manhattan Project and Cold War legacy
responsibilities. The FY 2022 Budget Request includes $7.6B for EM to
continue making progress in addressing millions of gallons of liquid
radioactive waste, thousands of tons of spent (used) nuclear fuel and
nuclear materials, large volumes of transuranic and mixed/low-level
waste, huge quantities of contaminated soil and water, and thousands of
excess facilities.
Building on past successes, the FY 2022 request supports EM as it
enters a new era of cleanup. The request includes approximately $2.5B
for cleanup at the Hanford site in Washington state, and supports
continued progress to initiate tank waste treatment by the end of 2023
through the Direct Feed Low Activity Waste approach. The request will
also enable progress in key risk reduction activities at Hanford,
including work to transfer radioactive capsules to dry storage and work
to remediate contaminated soil under the 324 Building.
The request includes $1.75B for cleanup activities at the Savannah
River Site in South Carolina, which supports efforts to ramp up tank
waste treatment, as well as the safe storage, stabilization and
disposition of EM-owned nuclear materials and other risk reduction
activities.
At the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant in New Mexico, integral to both
the Department's legacy cleanup mission and ongoing national security
work, the request would provide $437M for facility operations and
continued infrastructure activities. The request would provide $334M
for legacy cleanup activities at the Los Alamos National Laboratory.
At the Oak Ridge site in Tennessee, the request would provide $561M
to support slab and soil remediation activities at the East Tennessee
Technology Park, along with work to address high-risk excess facilities
at the Y-12 National Security Complex and Oak Ridge National Laboratory
and continued efforts to disposition the remaining uranium-233 stored
at the site, among other activities. The request also includes $381M
for cleanup activities at the Idaho site that will complete buried
waste exhumation and treatment of contact-handled sludge waste, ending
a decades-long effort to treat legacy waste at the site.
Strengthening the Nation's Nuclear Security
The Department of Energy's (DOE) National Nuclear Security
Administration (NNSA) is responsible for maintaining a safe, secure,
and effective nuclear weapons stockpile; reducing global nuclear
threats; and providing the U.S. Navy's submarines and aircraft carriers
with militarily effective nuclear propulsion. The President's FY 2022
Budget Request of $19.7 billion, maintains the historic level of
investments in NNSA and includes an increase of $10.8 million over the
FY 2021 enacted level.\1\ This reflects this administration's
commitment to maintain and modernize the nuclear stockpile through our
life extension and alteration programs; make substantial progress on
maintaining, repairing, and recapitalizing NNSA's deteriorating
infrastructure; provide policy and technical leadership to address all
aspects of the nuclear threat reduction mission; and deliver nuclear
propulsion that meets the U.S. Navy's operational requirements.
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\1\ The FY 2021 Enacted level does not include the mandated
transfer of $91 million from Naval Reactors to Nuclear Energy for the
operation of the Advanced Test Reactor.
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Weapons Activities
The FY 2022 budget request for the Weapons Activities account is
$15.5 billion, an increase of $139.3 million, or 0.9 percent, over FY
2021. This request supports stockpile management to maintain our
existing weapons; design and production work on five programs of
record; production modernization; and stockpile research, technology,
and engineering (SRT&E).
NNSA's major stockpile modernization programs stand at different
levels of maturity, each one responding to a different Department of
Defense (DoD) requirement. Some programs, such as the W93/Mk7 are in
the initial phases of feasibility and design, while others are in
production phases, such as the B61-12 gravity bomb. Together, these
programs bolster the United States' long-term commitments to allies and
partners while ensuring safety and reliability. NNSA continues to focus
on the production capabilities of nuclear weapons components critical
to weapon performance and is requesting funds to support the urgent
need to recapitalize plutonium pit production fabrication at Los Alamos
and Savanah River. SRT&E covers many critical programs for the nuclear
security enterprise that allow the nuclear deterrent to be certified
without the need for nuclear explosive testing. Capabilities include
the Enhanced Capabilities for Subcritical Experiments (ECSE), the
Exascale Computing Initiative (ECI), and the Inertial Confinement
Fusion (ICF) program. Each of these are needed to support weapons
design, warhead assessment and certification, and continued development
of the underpinning science needed to support the nuclear stockpile
long-term.
Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation
NNSA's Office of Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation (DNN) is critical
to implementing the President's call to ``lock down fissile and
radiological materials around the world.'' The FY 2022 budget request
for the DNN account is $2.3 billion, an increase of $4.0 million, or
0.2 percent, over the FY 2021 enacted level.\2\ DNN works worldwide
with our partners to prevent state and non-state actors from developing
nuclear weapons or acquiring weapons-usable nuclear or radiological
materials, equipment, technology, and expertise.
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\2\ The FY 2022 amount does not include the proposed cancellation
of $330 million of prior year balances from the Mixed Oxide Fuel
Fabrication Facility project.
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Complementing the work of DNN is the Nuclear Counterterrorism and
Incident Response (NCTIR) Program, which includes the Emergency
Operations and Counterterrorism and Counterproliferation subprograms.
NCTIR provides capabilities to counter and respond to nuclear incidents
and accidents worldwide. The FY 2022 request for NCTIR is $370.8
million, a decrease of $6.7 million, or 1.8 percent below, the FY 2021
enacted level.
Naval Reactors
The Office of Naval Reactors remains at the forefront of
technological developments in naval nuclear propulsion, with an
unparalleled record of over 169 million miles safely steamed on nuclear
power and over 7,300 reactor-years of operation. The FY 2022 budget for
Naval Reactors is $1.9 billion, an increase of $182.7 million, or 10.8
percent, over the FY 2021 enacted level.\3\ The budget request supports
Naval Reactors' three major projects--COLUMBIA-Class reactor plant
development, the refueling overhaul of a research and training reactor
in New York, and the construction of the Naval Spent Fuel Handling
Facility in Idaho.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\ The FY 2021 Enacted level does not include the mandated
transfer of $91 million from Naval Reactors to Nuclear Energy for the
operation of the Advanced Test Reactor.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
NNSA Workforce
To manage this broad portfolio, NNSA depends upon recruiting,
training, and retaining a highly technical Federal and M&O workforce.
The FY 2022 budget request for Federal Salaries and Expenses (FSE) is
$464.0 million, an increase of $20.8 million, or 4.7 percent, over the
FY 2021 enacted level.
conclusion
In conclusion, I am humbled to reaffirm my commitment to lead the
Department of Energy. I look forward to our continued partnership to
achieve these ambitious yet necessary goals.
Thank you for the opportunity to be here today. I am happy to
answer your questions.
Senator Feinstein. Thank you very much.
Dr. Verdon, my understanding is that you are here today to
answer questions. If you wish to make a brief statement, we
will entertain that now.
Dr. Verdon. That is okay. Thank you.
Senator Feinstein. Okay. Thank you very much.
Let me then begin the questions. Madam Secretary, this
budget puts a heavy emphasis on deployment of climate
solutions. There is $2.5 billion or a 45 percent increase in
funding across the Department's applied energy programs
compared to fiscal year 2021, and a $400 million request to
create a new office of Clean Energy Demonstrations.
Could you please explain to us, with as much detail as you
can; how these new funding requests will translate into more
clean energy development?
Secretary Granholm. Sure. Thank you for the question. You
know, we know that there are a lot of technologies that are on
the shelf and that can be deployed. And so your question about
a deployment is a key one, as well as demonstration. Those are
the latter two stages, obviously, in the development of these
clean energy technologies, and we should be really doing
everything we can.
So, for example, in the budget, you will see an almost 1000
percent increase in the Federal Energy Management Program. And
that of course helps to guide and ensure that all of our
Federal agencies are deploying the best solutions for reducing
our Federal carbon footprint. And that is a significant
priority of the Biden administration, to make sure we lead by
example, and make sure that our procurement also creates a
market for clean energy products that are made in America. So
that is a big example of deployment that we intend to do.
Second, we see a significant increase as well in the
Weatherization Assistance Program. That is a deployment
strategy as well. We will be able to weatherize thousands more
homes using again, we hope, products that are made in America,
again creating markets for American businesses to be able to
provide for weatherization of homes.
In the budget as well, we have a component that is
providing grants, State-based energy grants to States, and
those energy grants will be tied, again, to making sure that
demand is created in those States for clean energy products
made in America, but also to help them achieve higher
standards, whether it is on clean energy standards, or on
building, building codes, et cetera.
So we want to reward the States and localities for taking
action. And that is also a deployment component that is in this
budget. Bottom line is you will see this big plus-up in all of
these lines. We have a whole deployment strategy for each of
them. That is just three examples.
Senator Feinstein. One other quick question, if I may?
Congress included $20 million in last year's appropriations for
consent-based siting of nuclear waste. This is something that
concerns me a great deal. And I would like to ask if you can
briefly elaborate on how you intend to break the stalemate on
nuclear waste disposal, and what you plan to do in the near
term to move that forward.
Secretary Granholm. Yes. As I know you are aware, there was
a 2012 commission on nuclear waste, and that that Blue Ribbon
Commission recommended a consent-based siting strategy. And we
are beginning that process this summer, we will be issuing a
Request for Information, obviously, the States or localities
that are willing, because we want to work with them, who are
willing to be able to house this waste, it will----
Senator Feinstein. I don't mean to stop you.
Secretary Granholm. Yes.
Senator Feinstein. But what I am asking for is: What is the
administration's plan to deal with nuclear waste?
Secretary Granholm. That is the plan is to get another
site, not Yucca Mountain, but to get another place that is
willing to be the home of nuclear waste. Obviously it will
require some compensation for that local entity to be able to
do that. There is some interest out there. We just have to make
sure we complete this consent-based siting process and,
hopefully, near term rather than long-term.
Senator Feinstein. And when will that be developed into a
proposal?
Secretary Granholm. Well, the Requests for Information are
going out within the next month. And so, hopefully, in the fall
we will have a sense of what the landscape looks like, but this
year we want to solidify the strategy.
Senator Feinstein. Thank you.
Senator.
Senator Kennedy. Thank you, Madam Chair. As you could
probably guess from my opening comments, Madam Secretary, I see
the climate as a discrete scientific issue. I think it is a
mistake to approach it with too much emotion. Passion is good,
but not when it interferes with your judgment. I have got a
couple of 30,000-foot--feet questions.
How much money in public and private dollars does the
Department think it would take to make the world carbon
neutral?
Secretary Granholm. I don't have a number for that, but
probably a lot.
Senator Kennedy. Yes. Hundreds of trillions of dollars, do
you think?
Secretary Granholm. It would be a lot, for sure.
Senator Kennedy. Okay. How much money in public and private
dollars does the Department think it would take to make the
United States carbon neutral?
Secretary Granholm. Again, it would be a lot.
Senator Kennedy. Hundreds of trillions?
Secretary Granholm. I don't know about hundreds of
trillions, but it would be a lot of money.
Senator Kennedy. It would be in the trillions?
Secretary Granholm. Yes.
Senator Kennedy. Mid-trillions?
Secretary Granholm. I don't know.
[Laughter.]
Senator Kennedy. I understand. Here is my question, to make
the United States carbon neutral based on the administration's
plans, I think it would be fair to say it is going to cause
displacement, major displacement. Now, I don't use that in a
pejorative sense. I think it is just an accurate description.
It is going to change our economy dramatically. Many people are
going to gain, and many people are going to lose. And that is
what I mean by displacement.
If we, today, spent these, to be fair, tens of trillions of
dollars that I think many members of the administration would
like to spend, and make the United States of American carbon
neutral, and nobody else has our aggressive--adopts our
aggressive approach, and they only make modest gains in
CO2 emissions. How much is it going to lower the
world temperature, and how much of it--how much are we going to
reduce carbon emissions?
Secretary Granholm. I want to say that the administration
has a really firm commitment to communities to be able to take
advantage of that economic opportunity and in energy that means
the----
Senator Kennedy. I know, Madam Secretary, forgive me for
interrupting, but we both know--now I really want to try to
probe your mind here--we both know this is going to cause major
displacement, let us don't kid each other. You are not going to
turn coal miners into coders overnight, and you are not going
to turn fossil fuel workers into solar experts overnight, and
there are not as many solar jobs as in oil and gas. So I don't
want to get off into that. And I am not trying to be critical
of the administration, but these are important questions.
If we become carbon neutral, and we don't get cooperation
from China and India, what have we accomplished?
Secretary Granholm. The goal is to get cooperation from
China and India.
Senator Kennedy. I know, but what if they don't?
Secretary Granholm. Well----
Senator Kennedy. What if we go spend these tens of
trillions of dollars and President Xi Jinping--the people of
China are wonderful people, by the way--President Xi, lies like
he breathes. We know that. The Communist Party, they are
gangsters. What if they--I mean, they have probably built a
coal power--a coal-powered power plant while you and I have
been talking. What have we achieved?
Secretary Granholm. The administration has a strategy to
make sure that all of our--all of the people who have signed on
to this Paris Agreement meet the goals that they have
articulated. And that means working with allies, and that means
the strategy, and amount that----
Senator Kennedy. I get it. I get it, but I am asking a very
practical question. My son, who I love dearly, has a strategy
to have his dad buy him a 911 Targa Porsche. It is not going to
happen. And I am raising a very legitimate question I think. If
we spend these trillions of dollars, and we go through all this
displacement, and we don't get cooperation from China and
India, what--is the pain worth the gain? And how do we know?
Secretary Granholm. I would say, we have a strategy to get
those countries on board. And if we don't pursue this strategy,
what then? Then you have climate disasters that are upon us.
California is now--could be on fire again this summer. And if
we don't take action, then where are we with respect to the
other disasters? So we have to approach our allies with the
strategy----
Senator Kennedy. Let me ask you one last question.
Secretary Granholm [continuing]. And do our own.
Senator Kennedy. I get it. I get it. Yes.
If you can indulge me, Madam Chair? If we spend all the
money that the Biden administration wants to spend, let's take
in its current infrastructure bill to reduce CO2
emissions, what percentage of the increase in carbon emissions,
worldwide, not the United States, is going to be reduced?
Secretary Granholm. All of these countries have signed on,
all of them have.
Senator Kennedy. No. I am talking about--I know when you
are trusting----
Secretary Granholm. No, verified.
Senator Kennedy. But I believe in metrics.
Secretary Granholm. Yes.
Senator Kennedy. If you spend a lot of taxpayer dollars,
you ought to know, first of all, what you expect to get, and
realistically assess whether you are going to get it. I don't
want a go to--let me ask you one last question. How come your
budget doesn't request any funding for the Yucca Mountain
licensing?
Secretary Granholm. The President's--the administration
doesn't support Yucca Mountain as a solution for nuclear waste.
Senator Kennedy. Okay. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Senator Feinstein. Thank you.
Senator Shaheen.
Senator Shaheen. Thank you.
And thank you, Madam Secretary, for being here today, and
for all of your hard work. And Dr. Verdon, we are delighted to
have you here as well.
As I said I really want to talk about energy efficiency,
because I think it is the stepchild of energy use. It gets
short shrift, and yet it is the cheapest, fastest way to deal
with our energy needs. I was really glad to hear you talk about
reducing the Federal carbon footprint, because the Federal
Government is the biggest user of energy in the country. And we
have got to do a better job.
I would start with the Architect of the Capitol and see if
he can't get climate controls in all of the rooms on Capitol
Hill, because it is ridiculous that we can't control the
temperature in the rooms, in this building, and throughout The
Capitol. So that is just an aside.
But one of the things that I would urge you to look at is
the scoring for Energy Savings Performance Contracts, ESPCs.
When I was Governor, we were able to significantly reduce the
cost of heating our buildings and save on carbon emissions
because we used ESPCs, and yet the way we score those here is a
cost, not a savings. It is nuts that we don't recognize that we
can bring in private contractors to do that and save us
significant dollars. And yet when we do it, the scores charge
us for that rather than looking at savings. And that is why it
is so difficult to get done.
But I want to go to the budget, because this budget calls
for $16 million for building codes within the Building
Technologies Office, and we know that our buildings use about
40 percent of energy use in this country. Percentage-wise, that
number is a big increase from the $10 million provided in 2021,
but it is still a relatively small program. And when we know
there are substantial energy savings being left on the table,
it seems to me that that is an area that we ought to really
take a hard look at. So can you talk about what we could do if
we can increase that amount in terms of energy savings?
Secretary Granholm. Yes. Thanks so much for that question
and for your leadership in this energy efficiency space. This
is a plus-up for this, and we want to be able to take it to the
next level with respect to not just the Federal buildings, but
State and local buildings, and assist those State and local
entities in how they can achieve greater efficiency with new
building codes, upgraded building codes, which we are in the
final process of putting out through our Building Technologies
Office.
But you are right that it is a drop in the bucket, and if,
for example, we were able to achieve the kind of investment
that is seen in the American Jobs Plan, for example, that would
allow us to really push this much further providing incentives
to States, to really up their game on building codes and
allowing us to up our game on advising and giving the technical
assistance that is necessary to all of these local units of
government to do the same.
And as we know, I agree with you on your ESPCs, but this
whole thing is such a big job provider upgrading the building
envelope footprints.
Senator Shaheen. Absolutely.
Secretary Granholm. A huge opportunity for putting people
to work.
Senator Shaheen. And as you point out, building codes are
really a low hanging fruit that we ought to be taking a look
at. And it is disappointing to me that we have seen efforts in
Congress blocked, Congress after Congress, by the home builders
who don't want to spend a small additional amount, which over
the lifetime is going to really provide savings to consumers.
I want to talk about appliance standards also, because the
appliance standards program has saved consumers, tens of
billions annually on their utility bills. By 2030, it will have
avoided a cumulative 7.3 billion tons of carbon dioxide
emissions. That is an amount in excess of a year's worth of
emissions for the entire U.S. economy. So going forward,
updating standards could save an additional 1.2 to 2.9 billion
metric tons, and achieve cumulative utility savings of another
1.1 trillion by 2050. That is according to the American Council
for an Energy-Efficient Economy.
Unfortunately we saw the previous administration did not
keep pace with the statutory deadlines to update appliance
standards. So can you talk about what the status is of your
review of that, and where you expect to go to make sure we get
back on track with respect to appliance standards?
Secretary Granholm. Yes. I agree a thousand percent on this
as well. We have, I think, so far filed over 50 notices in the
Federal Register of rolling back the rollbacks, essentially,
and continuing the progress that was made. You listed a number
of statistics in terms of savings. And for the average family,
just on the basics, it is about $400 per year. And then you add
another $400 perhaps for LED lighting. You can see significant
savings from these on a very granular basis as well. We are
completely committed to progressing significantly on the
appliance standards issue.
Senator Shaheen. Well, thank you. I look forward to working
with you, and the Department on improving support for energy
efficiency in the country.
Secretary Granholm. Thank you.
Senator Shaheen. Thank you, Madam Chairman.
Senator Feinstein. Thank you, Senator.
Senator Hyde-Smith.
Senator Hyde-Smith. Thank you, Madam Chairman.
Madam Secretary, the Gulf of Mexico is one of the Nation's
most important regions for energy resources and accounts for a
large portion of our crude oil, our Federal, offshore, natural
gas production. What efforts are being taken by the Department
to advance cleaner technologies for domestic fossil fuel
resources?
Secretary Granholm. Yes. We have a program that really
works with the private sector to ensure that the existing
production is both efficient and clean, as clean as it can be,
including making sure that there is integrity at the wellbore,
making sure that produced water is clean, et cetera. And we are
going to--that is under our Fossil Energy Office, and we will
continue to work with the private sector on making sure that
that happens even as we transition to more, not just fuel
efficient, but electric vehicles, et cetera.
Senator Hyde-Smith. Thank you for that answer. And I am
addressing my next question to both of the witnesses. And as I
mentioned earlier, Mississippi is home to the largest U.S.
nuclear power reactor, in terms of generating capacity, and
with the administration's heavy agenda on cutting carbon
emissions, what do you believe are the most promising nuclear
efforts in our Nation right now?
Secretary Granholm. First of all, I agree with everything
that has been said about nuclear. That nuclear must be a part
of our strategy to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, and
that we also should be doing everything we can to keep existing
nuclear plants online. And we also need to be doing research
into advanced nuclear demonstration projects, which we are. Our
nuclear request in the budget is significantly more than last
time. I want to say, it is maybe 28 percent, or something like
that, above last year's effort, because we want to continue to
work on these advanced nuclear designs.
The modular reactors, the small modular reactors, as well
as making sure that we can assist in whatever way possible to
keep these plants online. Let me say, our budget doesn't
subsidize existing nuclear plants that are already running,
but, you know, if in the infrastructure package that is being
negotiated, there is, or at least in the American Jobs Plan,
there was a provision to help keep existing plants online, and
as well as making sure that nuclear is part of the clean energy
standard which would----both of which would be significantly
for ensuring that we continued to keep the existing fleet
operating as well as create new.
Senator Hyde-Smith. And Dr. Verdon.
Dr. Verdon. The Secretary covered it. There is nothing more
to add.
Senator Hyde-Smith. Okay. Thank you, Madam Chairman.
Senator Feinstein. Senator Merkley.
Senator Merkley. Thank you. And it is so good to have you
here, Madam Secretary. Following up on my colleague from New
Hampshire's point about energy efficiency, the fiscal year 2020
Appropriations Bill required a study to lay out the investments
needed in energy efficiency, and conservation to give us kind
of a comprehensive view to help us guide legislation. And we
have not received that report. The Trump administration dropped
the ball. We have been in contact with your Department about
it. Can you pick up that ball and, and help us get that clear
understanding?
Secretary Granholm. It was an energy efficiency study?
Senator Merkley. Yes.
Secretary Granholm. I have not--read in on it, but I will
definitely get back to you on it.
Senator Merkley. And conservation. Thank you.
Secretary Granholm. And conservation.
Senator Merkley. Second, my colleague from Louisiana talked
about displacement. I saw displacement first-hand last year
when we had fires sweep through the west side of the Cascades,
and town after town was burned to the ground, and it was like
walking in on the towns that had been firebombed in World War
II, or something. It was just incredible. And we are seeing a
huge impact on our rural communities from the impact on
forests, on farming, and on fishing.
And, so I just wanted to note that displacement is real
right now, and not just from the fires in Oregon, but also from
all kinds of other economic effects that are taking place, and
more severe storms. So those costs are going to be
extraordinary and it is only by the U.S. setting an example,
and then working in partnership with the world that we have
some way of turning the curve on this.
I was very disturbed at the increasing pace of carbon
saturation in the atmosphere. We hit a record last month of 419
parts per million, way up from the 180 to 280 parts that
characterized the last 800,000 years. We haven't been this
level for 8 million years. The planet is in big trouble. I just
want to keep emphasizing that. I know you understand that.
Secretary Granholm. Thank you for that.
Senator Merkley. Thank you. Turning to a piece of that
clean electricity standard, do you think natural gas should be
included in that standard?
Secretary Granholm. I think that if you combined natural
gas with carbon removal so that it really was clean and that
you had zero carbon emissions, then it could be.
Senator Merkley. But only under that condition?
Secretary Granholm. Yes.
Senator Merkley. The condition is that it is not carbon
capture just to redeploy in gas fields where it will leak out,
but true absolute capture?
Secretary Granholm. And sequestration, yes.
Senator Merkley. Yes. Thank you. And I doubt the costs of
that are going to be less than the costs of renewable energy
from solar and wind, plus battery storage, if you will. So I am
certainly hoping that we don't create some false solution,
research on it, great, pursue it if it is economical, and it is
truly effective. But that is my concern.
I am excited that Oregon is pioneering the use of electric
tractors, we have three of them in operation. I invite you to
come out and see them, see them in operation. And I am trying
to figure out how electricity can start to be used in places
where diesel has been used, is another piece of this frontier
of conversion. And can DOE support efforts like that on new
uses of electricity?
Secretary Granholm. Of course, a thousand percent, that is
what we do. In fact, as I speak, I think we have a funding
opportunity request out for off-road vehicles, tractors would
qualify for electrification.
Senator Merkley. I think you are going to see a request in
that regard from my State. Turning to plastics: plastics are
not reduced, reused, recycled; they are burned, buried, and
borne out to sea with huge environmental consequences. Because
plastics are primarily a stream of natural gas, because a
natural gas system leaks enormous amounts of methane, because
methane is an incredibly powerful global warming gas, plastics
are a climate problem, as well as a direct problem for human
health, and great problem for ecosystems. I just wanted to
raise this and see if you have some thoughts on that topic.
Secretary Granholm. We are--the administration is looking
at this methane issue very seriously. You are probably aware
there was a vote, and a reversal of a rule that was lessened in
the last administration on methane. Obviously this is in the
EPA's (Environmental Protection Agency) jurisdiction in terms
of the regulatory side. But in terms of the technology side, we
want to be partnering to make sure that, oil and gas companies,
one, do monitoring of methane leakage, and two, do closing of
methane leakage. And this whole issue of methane is extremely
high on the priority list, both of the Department of Energy,
and of the EPA, and of the Biden administration as well. So
stay tuned on that for more.
Senator Merkley. Thank you very much. Because I think it is
an under-recognized part of the challenge and is inherent in a
system with millions of miles of joints in pipes, as well as
abandoned wells, the leak never properly sealed, and so forth.
And I know the administration is working on that. So thank you.
I will just close by shifting to nuclear weapons. People
forget that nuclear weapons are a huge part of energy
portfolio. And we haven't had the nuclear evaluation, the
Nuclear Posture Review, yet. But the administration has put
forward in its budget funding for the W76 low-yield warhead, a
warhead President Biden called a bad idea because of its impact
on potential nuclear war.
And also on the B83 mega weapon, if you will, and we are
not talking about small dollars, we are talking about the
administration proposing $100 million to fund the program. I
hope that many of these projects, which seemed to have, kind of
a nuclear industrial complex momentum, get evaluated very, very
carefully, both because of their costs, and because of their
risk.
Secretary Granholm. Well, clearly then, because as you have
noted, the Nuclear Posture Review is just starting. That will
be looked at, they will be looked at, but I am wondering if Dr.
Verdon has any follow-up on the two specific programs that you
mentioned.
Dr. Verdon. Yes, both programs will be looked at for a
posture review, but right now we had to put forward----
Secretary Granholm. You have to turn on your mic, I think.
Dr. Verdon. Is it on?
Secretary Granholm. There you go.
Dr. Verdon. Both will be looked at as part of the posture
review, and we put forward the budget that was required by the
current program or record, to support the weapons that the
STRATCOM commander identified were necessary. So that is why,
you know, they are in the budget right now, but they will be
examined. The whole portfolio will be looked at.
Senator Merkley. Thank you.
Senator Feinstein. I believe the next few names, based on
arrival, Senators Hagerty, Coons, Murray, and probably there is
more.
But Senator Hagerty.
Senator Hagerty. Thank you, Madam Chair. And again, thank
you Under Secretary Verdon, and Secretary Granholm. I
appreciate your being here today.
As I mentioned in my opening remarks, I would like to turn
our conversation Oak Ridge National Lab, which is the largest
multipurpose energy and research laboratory that the Department
of Energy supports. It is a true gem of Tennessee, $5.6 billion
of economic impact every year is the estimate, and some 34,000
jobs are supported by Oak Ridge National Lab in Tennessee,
touching 50 of the 95 counties in my State.
So it has an incredible economic impact. And I think a
tremendous impact on advancing our Nation in terms of basic
research. Beyond the great work that happens in Tennessee on
nuclear energy, which I look forward to working with you on, I
would like to talk for a moment about supercomputing.
And one of the critical missions of Oak Ridge National Lab
is the Summit supercomputer. It is the second fastest
supercomputer in the world. And I am very pleased at Oak Ridge
is going to unveil this year, an exascale computer called
Frontier, which will be the fastest in the world, right in my
home State of Tennessee.
And we have talked about this before Madam Secretary, but I
would like to join with my colleagues, Senator Blackburn and
Congressman Fleischmann, to invite you to come and visit us at
Oak Ridge National Lab, to see what is happening there, and to
deepen our working relationships so we can continue to make
these advances. So I hope you will be able to find time in your
schedule soon to join us there.
Secretary Granholm. I would very much like to do that,
especially with the unveiling of the exascale computer. And I
know that that is scheduled for early fall, and I am excited
about seeing the incredible complex that is there.
Senator Hagerty. Well today the fastest computer in the
world is in Japan, and I have a fondness for that nation, but
also a highly competitive nature. So I am delighted that we are
going to retake the high ground on this, and given where the
world is headed in computing, I think it is more than fitting
that we be a leader in the world, and that Tennessee be at the
forefront there.
Speaking of Tennessee, I would like to share with you some
insights from my predecessor, Senator Lamar Alexander, I know a
good friend of the Chair, and many people on this committee. He
has talked with me at length about what he has called the Oak
Ridge Corridor. It is a way to capture the tremendous brain
power that exists in Oak Ridge and the surrounding area.
In fact, when you land at the Knoxville Airport near Oak
Ridge, it welcomes you as the gateway to the Smokey's and to
the Oak Ridge Corridor. It is something I think that we should
market as an innovation hub. We have such incredible
technologies. We draw from the Federal Government, we draw from
my alma mater, Vanderbilt University, from the University of
Tennessee, from the Tennessee Valley Authority, State and
private industry.
What I would like to ask you, is what role you see,
Secretary Granholm, the Department playing as we recreate
innovation hubs like the Oak Ridge Corridor, in a way that will
support economic growth in underserved communities?
Secretary Granholm. That is a great question. In fact, I
was just on call with all of the lab directors yesterday, on
this very subject.
Senator Hagerty. Perfect.
Secretary Granholm. Is how the labs--and some are doing
more of this, and some are working on it. But how the labs can
really connect, whether it is--you have talked about this as
being a geographic hub, there may be some communities that are
slightly outside of the immediate adjacency that are also
underserved that could benefit.
So one of it, one strategy of course, involves workforce
development. A lot of these labs are looking to develop that
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics)
pipeline and really want to be in the community to talk about
the importance of science, technology, engineering, and math,
both, you know, starting in high school, through college,
partnering with local colleges and certainly partnering with
the universities that are already there.
So pipeline issues are one, economic development,
technology transfer from the labs to--you know, to perhaps sort
of technology hubs that are related to lab, but could be
commercial--using products that could be commercialized outside
of the lab. So we have a fantastic new leader of our Office of
Technology Transfer, who is really focused on what are those
opportunities to create, perhaps, incubators, either inside the
lab structure or outside in adjacency, to be able to create a
whole cluster of dynamic innovation, creating an innovation hub
in an area that may be seen as often cloistered because it is
inside of, perhaps, fencing, et cetera.
Senator Hagerty. Well, may I extend our invitation to your
head of Office of Technology Transfer to join us as well?
Secretary Granholm. Yes.
Senator Hagerty. Because we are working very hard in
Tennessee to try to create just that type of innovation hub.
Secretary Granholm. Oh.
Senator Hagerty. Bringing the private sector together,
transferring technology more efficiently. It is hard to do, and
it always has been hard to do, but if we can find ways to make
it more efficient, more effective, I think it has a great,
great potential in terms of leveraging the massive investment
we are making in basic research and translating that into
applied results that can make a real difference for our economy
and keep America at the forefront of innovation.
Secretary Granholm. So, with your permission, I will have
her reach out to your office to do a briefing and discussion
with you.
Senator Hagerty. Perfect.
Secretary Granholm. Her name is Vanessa Chin.
Senator Hagerty. Thank you, Madam Secretary.
Secretary Granholm. All right. Thank you.
Senator Hagerty. Thank you. Madam Chair.
Senator Feinstein. Senator Murray.
Senator Murray. Thank you very much, Chairman Feinstein.
Good to see you, thank you for being here today.
Secretary Granholm, let me start with, no surprise to you,
the Hanford Site in Central Washington. As you know, the
Federal Government has both a legal and a moral obligation to
clean up the Hanford Site, and to work in partnership, of
course, with my State of Washington in doing so.
I was really pleased to see this year's request, which is a
rejection of some of the dangerous cuts that were proposed in
the last administration. And I think this year's request is, is
much more realistic and closer to current year enacted levels.
So thank you.
But that being said, there is a laundry list of projects to
be done at RL (Richland Operations Office) and ORP (Office of
River Protection), not to mention the Tri-Party Agreement
milestones already in place that require substantial funding
and prudent financial stewardship. I remain concerned about the
long-term projections for this site. A 2019 DOE report
estimated that the lifecycle cleanup costs could be up to $677
billion. And the work would not be completed until 2078. If
those numbers are accurate, it would mean an average annual
appropriation over $11 billion a year for the next 57 years.
That is a long ways off the roughly $2.5 billion is funded out
right now.
Do you have any thoughts for us on, if there are
opportunities to bring down these lifecycle costs while still
safely, and effectively, and in compliance with the Tri-Party
Agreement, and other legal requirements, to completing this
cleanup?
Secretary Granholm. Yes. This is a great question because,
obviously, as we progress in our research and development, new
strategies become available that we might not know of right
now. There is a lot of being done at the labs, as I am sure you
are aware, on how to best contain, how to reduce, how to
mitigate, et cetera. And we are looking at that all the time.
Right now I don't have the silver bullet that would bring
it, you know, down to a much lower funding level at a much
shorter time. What I can tell you is that we--and I appreciate
you acknowledging that this is in fact the highest amount we
have ever asked for cleanup at Hanford, but we have got a lot
of work to do. I am glad we have been able to achieve some
milestones. I look forward to coming to celebrate some of those
milestones.
Senator Murray. Great.
Secretary Granholm. But milestones are just that. It is not
the end goal. And so it is our desire as well to accelerate. It
is our desire to find solutions that are less costly, but also
safe. The point is we will continue to work with you and the
community, which is really important to us that we do it in
partnership and not in opposition with the community so that we
can achieve our mutual goals.
Senator Murray. Well, thank you for that. And of course we
will be working with you on that goal. Let me turn to a related
Hanford question. The payment in lieu of taxes, PILT: This
year's request specifically propose to eliminate PILT funding,
and just for the Hanford and Savannah River DOE sites. PILT
funding is intended to compensate local governments for taxes
they cannot collect because the land is Federal property. And
they use that money to support their schools, and their
hospitals, their libraries, emergency services, things like
that.
I have heard a lot of great things about your, and the
Department's support for communities adjacent to DOE sites, so
that was really surprising to me, and just not acceptable. PILT
funding has long been an issue here, and I want to be clear, it
cannot be eliminated or cut back in any way. The Tri-Cities
really rely on that funding, and they are owed this funding, as
a result of the sacrifices and commitments that community made
during World War II, it is simply not their fault that hundreds
and hundreds of square miles in Washington State are not
taxable, lowering their ability to fund basic services.
So can you explain to me what DOE's rationale for proposing
to eliminate PILT payments, and why were Hanford and Savannah
River specifically targeted?
Secretary Granholm. I would say that, I know that
historically the Department presents a budget that doesn't
include PILT, and that Congress, that your leadership insists
that it is included. And all I want to say is, I look forward
to working with you on that.
Senator Murray. Okay. And we would like to see it in the
budget.
Secretary Granholm. Yes.
Senator Murray. Let me just finish by saying, I really want
to thank you for spending some time with Pacific Northwest
National Lab during your virtual visit.
Secretary Granholm. Yes.
Senator Murray. I hope you can come and visit in person
someday. They are really a leader in climate science, and I was
pleased to see the robust funding increases to the Biological
and Environmental Research Program. As well as the--final year
funding for the Grid Storage Launchpad. They are a leader
nationally in the fight against climate change, and I really
look forward to working with you on that. So thank you for
that.
Secretary Granholm. Okay. Thank you.
Senator Murray. And Senator Coons, thank you for graciously
allowing me to go ahead of you. Thank you.
Senator Feinstein. Thank you, Senator.
Senator Coons.
Senator Coons. I believe it is Senator Hoeven's turn.
Senator Feinstein. Yes. Senator Coons.
Senator Coons. Fine. Senator Hoeven, thank you. I am happy
to take the opportunity. Thank you.
Chairwoman Feinstein, and absentia Ranking Member Kennedy.
Thank you, Senator Granholm, and Dr. Verdon for testifying.
And Madam Secretary, it is great to be with you in person.
And I am so grateful for the job you have been doing as part of
the Jobs Cabinet. Helping the American people understand the
connection between combating climate and creating good, high-
paying jobs.
I enthusiastically support the President's vision,
particularly with regards to the Department's budget and look
forward to making sure that it is adequately funded to meet the
challenges of this century. Just a few things I might, first on
carbon capture utilization and storage. I was encouraged to see
a revitalized Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management,
CCUS, as a critical part of our strategy for moving forward.
I have a bill with Senator Cassidy, the SCALE act, which
would support wide-scale CCUS deployment by connecting sites of
carbon dioxide capture to places where it can be stored and it
would create thousands of jobs. Could you briefly discuss: the
importance of carbon dioxide, transport, and storage
infrastructure for both meeting our climate and job creation
goal?
Secretary Granholm. Yes. Thank you for asking this because
I think it is--I agree with you. It is very important. It is
important for the U.S., and I would say it is important around
the globe. There is a lot of our allies across the world who
want to know how they can take this kind of technology and
affordably use it.
So it is one of the reasons why the American Jobs Plan had
in it these 10 projects, demonstration projects, for carbon
capture use and sequestration, because the point is you can use
it on a variety of different carbon sources, whether it is
heavy industry, whether it is power plants. And we want to be
able to show that it can be done, that it can be taken to
scale, that it is affordable, and that it solves the problem.
So, thank you for your leadership in it. Our Fossil Energy
and Carbon Management Office currently has five demonstration
projects running; one of them, Project Tundra, one of them--we
want to make sure that we continue to demonstrate that ability.
The five is great, but we need more to be able to take this
to--and we need it quickly. We need to, because these are big
projects.
And let me just say one other thing is, American Jobs Plan
is called ``Jobs Plan'' for a reason, which is that this kind
of technology, especially with the pipelines that need to be
installed, et cetera, is a huge job creator. So it is a win-
win, and it makes sure that fossil communities are not left
behind.
Senator Coons. Senator Cassidy had an interesting
perspective on it. He said: I have got lots of folks in
Louisiana today working on building and maintaining and
servicing pipelines that pull things out of the ground and put
them into our economy. Why can't the same folks have jobs
building and maintaining and servicing pipelines that take
carbon dioxide and put it back out, under the ground and stored
permanently? A simple, but powerful insight I think.
Let us move towards one of the things that I think is a key
component of a clean energy economy, hydrogen. The Department
recently announced its Hydrogen Shot Initiative to bring down
the cost of clean hydrogen. You traveled to Texas to visit an
Air Liquide facility there. Their, I would say preeminent
research facility in North America happens to be in Newark,
Delaware. We would love to have you come visit there as well.
And Air Liquide is teaming up with Bloom Energy and Chemours in
Delaware, to look at the future of clean hydrogen. Could you
just talk about your vision for the role of hydrogen,
particularly in decarbonizing the hard to abate sectors, like
industry and transportation?
Secretary Granholm. Yes. I can't emphasize this enough, is
that this technology is a technology that can be the game
changer for the toughest areas, but also generally, I mean, we
want to be able to, for example, right now we can't export
renewable energy. We have to use it here. But clean hydrogen
could do that. It could convert hydrogen into green ammonia,
and be able to transport it. And the ammonia distribution
system globally is already in place.
So this is another reason why all of these other countries,
I mean, if Senator Hagerty were here, he would know Japan, for
example, shutting down their nuclear facilities, they have no--
they don't have a whole lot of options. And so they are super-
interested in hydrogen. We have been talking to Australia who
is also doing a lot of experimentation in hydrogen. The
American Jobs Plan has 15 demonstration projects that it would
fund in clean hydrogen, that is very exciting, whether it is
green, or blue, and the blue ends up being sequestered--the
CO2 ends up being sequestered from natural gas.
I am just--there is a huge opportunity here for us to
create jobs and to lead the world in the solution that could
actually allow all of these countries, especially those who
have significant fossil communities, to be able to be net
carbon zero.
Senator Coons. Well, in terms of net carbon zero base load,
I think next-generation nuclear is also an important part of
the suite of approaches we need to take. Right at the end of
last year, something big happened in energy policy. It didn't
get much notice because there were other things going on with
the election, but Chair Murkowski, Ranking Member Manchin, at
the time of the Energy Committee, finally got passed the Energy
Act of 2020. It had a lot of different bills in it.
One of them that I had worked on for years, was a
Modernization of the Weatherization Assistance Program, another
was the Nuclear Energy Renewal Act, to sustain our nuclear
fleet, but also invest in R&D (research & development) and
advanced nuclear. Could you just discuss briefly the role of
nuclear energy in ensuring the balance of decarbonizing base
load power generation and our economy as a whole, and ensuring
energy security for the United States?
Secretary Granholm. Yes. We have to do--I was mentioning
before you arrived, I think Senator Hyde-Smith had a similar
kind of question, which was, we have got to do both research
and development on next generation, nuclear, advanced, modular,
et cetera. And we have to make sure that we keep our existing
fleet operating, because the existing fleet provides such a
significant part of our clean electricity today. And if we take
it offline, it is going to be that much more difficult to get
to the goals of net-zero, as well as 100 percent clean
electricity.
In the American Jobs Plan, as you are aware, the clean
energy standard includes nuclear. And that would be one way to
help the existing fleets maintain their status. A second thing
would be to help to subsidize those who are ready to go offline
so that they stay up. Those are both important, so both
research for the future, as well as helping the existing
nuclear fleet. Those are both really important aspects of what
the clean energy mix must entail.
Senator Coons. Well, and our national labs are an
absolutely critical part of doing this R&D. I look forward to
supporting the appropriations request for the national labs,
both in nuclear technology, and in clean energy technology,
more broadly.
I appreciate the indulgence of the chair, and, very much
look forward to working with you both. Thank you, Madam
Secretary.
Senator Feinstein. Thank you, Senator.
Senator Hoeven.
Senator Hoeven. Thank you. Madam Chair. And I am actually,
Madam Secretary, going to pick up right where Senator Coons
left off, and that is referencing the Energy Act of 2020. And
you actually have touched on some of the things in your
responses to him that I wanted to go into for just a minute.
That legislation actually included six carbon capture
projects, including two retrofits of coal-fired plants. You
have mentioned one, which is the Minnkota Plant and Project
Tundra, where DOE has already provided, I think, more than $43
million. The company has put in a lot, and the State of North
Dakota has put a lot of money in, and they are effectively
moving forward on large scale carbon capture.
And so I just want to ask if you support those carbon
capture demonstration projects, and are committed to seeing
them through, because it is a huge endeavor, a huge
undertaking. And in fact, Matt McLennan, the CEO of the
company, will be here today, because in our Energy Subcommittee
of the full Energy Committee, he is testifying on carbon
capture and talking about Project Tundra. Of course, that is
one of the projects we want to take and show you, you know, in
August when you come to visit.
Secretary Granholm. Great, great. Well, yes, I support
that. The CarbonSAFE (Carbon Storage Assurance Facility
Enterprise), which is where the demonstration projects come out
of----
Senator Hoeven. Yes.
Secretary Granholm [continuing]. For Fossil Energy and
Carbon Management, we are asking for a 48 percent increase in
that budget to be able to continue and further those
demonstration projects, and add to them. But I will say, you
know, if we were able to get this funding in the infrastructure
American Jobs Plan, that there would be a significant more
funding for carbon capture, which I fully support. And I think
would be enormously helpful to getting, not just to net-zero,
but to also making sure that these communities are able to
continue to function.
Senator Hoeven. Right. And the key pieces there are, I
mean, it is the frontend investment, like we are talking with
CarbonSafe, and Project Tundra, those kinds of things, it is
the loan guarantees, which you have, and also Rural Utility
Services have, and then it is enhancements to 45Q and 48A.
Secretary Granholm. Right.
Senator Hoeven. So I agree that, very much, we can include
those things in our infrastructure/energy packages, I think
that really advances the ball on carbon capture.
Secretary Granholm. Yes. I agree.
Senator Hoeven. The other thing is, that you answered,
could you just talked about, is the CO2. So we have
projects like we are talking about fossil-based projects, but
we also have biofuels projects that are stripping
CO2, and they need these pipelines. For example, in
North Dakota, we can put the CO2 down hole, but in
Minnesota, Iowa, South Dakota, you can't because you don't have
the EPA regulatory regime in place. So they want to build
pipelines to bring CO2 up to North Dakota, and put
it down hole. So how do we get more of these pipelines built?
You know how challenging that is to move CO2.
Secretary Granholm. Another opportunity to make sure that
the pipelines for CO2, and I would say pipelines
eventually for hydrogen are in the infrastructure American Jobs
Plan that you are negotiating, that too is a huge jobs creator,
that too provides solutions, and you--obviously North Dakota
has a unique geology that is----
Senator Hoeven. Right.
Senator Hoeven [continuing]. Positioned to be able to take
a lot of that. And I think it is a big opportunity for the
State. It is a big opportunity for employment as well.
Senator Hoeven. Right. I mean, you need the geology.
Secretary Granholm. Yes.
Senator Hoeven. You need to have the regulatory and legal
regime in place. So we are going to have to have those
pipelines to move that, the CO2.
Secretary Granholm. Right.
Senator Hoeven. Thank you, Madam Secretary.
And then, Dr. Verdon, as far as the, W80-4, and also the
W87, one of which goes on the LRSO (Long Range Standoff), the
other which goes on the new GBSD (Ground Based Strategic
Deterrent). Update me on the schedules. And are you going to be
able to--are the labs going to be able to keep up? Because, as
you know, they are developing the rocket systems, the LRSO is
progressing quite well. Are you going to be on track with the
warhead piece?
Dr. Verdon. Right now we are on track with both the W80-4,
and the W87-1. But we do recognize that we have COVID impacts
on the 80-4 that we are working with the Air Force, so there is
no near-term impacts with that, but there could be a schedule
adjustment, but we have a lot of margin if we have to do that.
But we haven't reached a final conclusion yet. We are still
working with external vendors who have--we stay in constant
contact with about potential delays, and due to COVID issues in
our institutions, as well as our own. So we are studying that.
No final answer. But right now everything is on target, and we
are supporting the services as required.
Senator Hoeven. Both for the W80-4 and the W87-1?
Dr. Verdon. For both systems. Yes.
Senator Hoeven. Okay. Thank you very much. Appreciate it.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
Senator Feinstein. Thank you very much. I believe we have
another round coming. So, Madam Secretary, please bear with us.
I wanted to talk with you just a little bit about the
increasing temperatures, the intense heat waves, and western
wildfires, really becoming very, very dangerous. Last year in
California, 4 million acres burned, 10,000 structures, 5,000 of
them homes, burned. And one out of ten wildfire ignitions in
our State is related to energy equipment. A lot of which, as we
know, is decades and decades old, and it is big State, 40
million people, big geography.
What role do you see micro grids, renewables, and
distributed power in making power grids more resilient? And I
don't know what we do about those things that hit them and
spark fires. And maybe you have some thoughts on that too.
Secretary Granholm. Well, thank you for that. I think
microgrids are an important piece of resilience. And so making
sure that we have them, especially in areas where we know we
continually see problems with the major distributed system--the
major system, is important. And our Grid Modernization
Initiative, a funding that you all have appropriated for that,
microgrids are a piece of what we are doing. I also think that
it is really important in States like California, States that
are above sea level, that we consider undergrounding these
wires.
Senator Feinstein. I am sorry. I missed it. That we
consider a?
Secretary Granholm. Undergrounding the wires to the extent
possible. It is expensive to underground transmission wires.
However, other countries are doing it, we are doing research on
it. And we are also doing research on how best to identify, in
these old grids, where the weaknesses are.
Senator Feinstein. So you think--if we could just have a
bit of a back and forth.
Secretary Granholm. Yes.
Senator Feinstein. If you think a State as big as
California, geographically, as well as population, can have a
sufficient new grid structure, I don't see that happening
statewide for a long time. There may be some of it. So what I
am looking for are those things that can solve these problems,
and really prevent fire from happening, if at all possible.
Secretary Granholm. I agree a hundred percent. And I think
that microgrids are one piece in some areas. Obviously there is
not a one-size-fits-all solution for a State like California
that is so diverse, but you do--you know where the pockets of
intense fire problem are. And so in those areas, if we could
look at solutions like microgrids, like undergrounding the
wires, so that they are not exposed to create those sparks and
that danger, the solutions like the--there are AI (Artificial
Intelligence) drones that can identify where the weak spots are
on the grid that are the most, have the most fire danger. These
are all things that our Office of Electricity and our labs are
working on, but we need more investment to make sure that this
grid is resilient, and particularly targeted to areas where we
know we have great problems.
Louisiana, we have got a different kind of problem, right?
We need to make the grid resilient from hurricanes, we need to
make the grid resilient in both places. And in Louisiana, in
New Orleans it is below sea level. So you wouldn't consider
undergrounding, so a different kind of solution. But the bottom
line is in the bill that is being negotiated, the American Jobs
Plan, or the Energy Infrastructure Plan, there is a component
that has a grid deployment authority that would be under the
Department of Energy, where we could really target solutions in
a granular way to areas where we know we have the biggest
problems, both transmission, capacity, resilience, and I would
say cyber issues as well. All of them could be, if we
centralized, at least how these decisions are being made and
the technologies to help to address them.
Senator Feinstein. Well, would you be willing to let some
of your people take a look at our State?
Secretary Granholm. Oh, yes.
Senator Feinstein. In terms of the grid structure.
Secretary Granholm. Absolutely.
Senator Feinstein. And make some recommendations. Now
obviously the big problem is cost, and how do you redo an old
structure that is huge? And I would certainly welcome any help
that we could get from the Federal Government by way of advice
and consultation. And so I am taking the opportunity of this
hearing just to ask if you would be willing to take a look at
it.
Secretary Granholm. Of course, absolutely.
Senator Feinstein. Well, thank you very much. I appreciate
that?
Senator.
Senator Kennedy. Thank you, Madam Chair. Put that up real
quick.
Madam Secretary, does the administration support, if you
know, the Strategic Petroleum Reserve?
Secretary Granholm. Yes.
Senator Kennedy. Okay. We have got a lot of vacancies at
the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. And if you look at the
website, I know this isn't your--you just got there, but the
website says this page was last updated on December 15, 2017.
Secretary Granholm. Oh.
Senator Kennedy. Could you take a look at that for me?
Secretary Granholm. Yes. I certainly will.
Senator Kennedy. My understanding is that they are--they
are understaffed there. I have watched you, Madam Secretary,
for years on television, before you became Secretary, and you
are very intelligent. And even though I don't always agree with
you, you make very cogent arguments. Does your proposed budget
include money for geoengineering?
Secretary Granholm. No.
Senator Kennedy. How come?
Secretary Granholm. Well, it has not been a solution that
we--I am not--I don't think it does. No? No, it does not. I
think we want to address and mitigate as best we can, adapt
where we can but we don't have geoengineering as part of our
budget.
Senator Kennedy. But if there is--I mean, geoengineering,
my understanding of it, it is global cooling. There are things
we can do to cool the earth that had--based on science. And
cloud whitening, for example, that is just one--I mean, it
would just seem to me, and there is a whole science out there.
There is a lot of private dollars in R&D being spent on
geoengineering. And if there is a way to cool the earth
without, let's say, destroying the fossil fuel industry, why
wouldn't we want to pursue that, if the objective is to reduce
temperatures?
Secretary Granholm. We are interested in all kinds of
technologies to be able to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and
to reduce our warming. But I will say, and I wanted to say this
to you when you had the first engagement with me, that this
administration is interested in carbon capture use and
sequestration, is interested in hydrogen, is interested in
direct air capture, and is interested in controlling or
managing the emissions off of fossil fuels. So I just want you
to understand that we are there with you on that.
Senator Kennedy. Yes. And I know, you are being truthful
and accurate, but there are a lot of members of the
administration, I think, that don't see the climate as a
discrete scientific problem, they see it as a religion, and
they see it as a vehicle through which they can remake American
society. And I think they are approaching the issue with more
zeal than wisdom.
I believe in metrics, I believe in the prudent allocation
of scarce resources. You know what I am talking about.
Governors have to balance their budgets. And I believe in
metrics, and if we are going to spend, I don't know how many
squillion dollars the President lately wants to spend on--that
we don't have even 5 percent of--on the environment. And I
believe in the environment, we all do. We all want clean air
and bright water, but at some point you have to ask--you have
to judge the expenditure of taxpayer dollars with metrics.
And what I worry about is that we are going to turn the
American economy upside down. We are going to turn a lot of
American lives upside down. We are going to make them a bunch
of promises, just like we made them with--made them promises
with globalization. ``Don't worry. Your life will be better.''
And think about that when you are in the unemployment line.
That is what we tell a lot of Americans.
That we are going to do this without a big picture in terms
of where we are going to end up. Toward that end, let me ask
you this question. If you know, and maybe the Under Secretary
knows if you don't, because I know you can't know everything.
Tell me five concrete steps that India is taking today to
reduce its CO2 emissions.
Secretary Granholm. Well, I know--I mean, India is looking
at wind, looking at solar, looking at hydrogen, looking at
carbon capture, and is trying to replace its coal with natural
gas.
Senator Kennedy. I know they are looking at all that stuff.
President Xi, says they are looking at it too, as he
continually builds----
Secretary Granholm. I know they are deploying--excuse me
for a minute. I don't mean to interrupt you.
Senator Kennedy. That is okay.
Secretary Granholm. But they are deploying those methods,
including distributed strategies, like we were discussing where
they don't have to have the grid, but some kind of distributed
microgrid.
Senator Kennedy. How much money did Modi spend last year in
India?
Secretary Granholm. I don't know.
Senator Kennedy. To reduce CO2 emissions?
Secretary Granholm. I don't know, sir. I don't know the
answer to that.
Senator Kennedy. Okay. It was under a billion, was not it?
Secretary Granholm. I don't know the answer.
Senator Kennedy. Okay. What you do is what you believe,
everything else is just conversation. And, that is what worries
me about this whole approach. Of course, President Xi, and Mr.
Modi are going to say the right things. But you have to judge
people by what they do. And I asked our EPA Administrator a few
weeks--a few months ago, maybe weeks ago, time kind of runs
together; I said, if we pass the President's infrastructure
bill, only 5 percent of which is true traditional
infrastructure, the rest is the Green New Deal and other
things. How much is it going to reduce CO2 emissions
in the world?
And he couldn't answer that question. So we are going to
spend, you know, how many trillions of dollars, and we don't
know what the end game is. That is my problem.
Secretary Granholm. Yes. We spent, I believe, $90 billion
last year, cleaning up after these extreme weather events.
Senator Kennedy. Mm-hmm.
Secretary Granholm. So if we don't take action, it will be
far more expensive as these events escalate. I would also say
that there is a $23 trillion global market for the products
that reduce CO2 emissions, $23 trillion.
Senator Kennedy. Right.
Secretary Granholm. And the question is, are we going to
take advantage of that? Can we create economic opportunity for
the people who work in the fossil fuel industry to be able to
create energy 2.0?
Senator Kennedy. Yes.
Secretary Granholm. By managing the emissions.
Senator Kennedy. And look. You made very good points, but
here is my point. I am going to say it again, President Biden,
what is the latest cost of his infrastructure bill, $2.5
trillion?
Secretary Granholm. $1.3, I think, is what we are
negotiating.
Senator Kennedy. Let's call it $2 trillion, to be fair.
President Biden says, spend $2 trillion, a big chunk of that is
the Green New Deal, and my question is very simple: If we spend
this money to reduce CO2 emissions, how much is
going to be reduced worldwide? Doesn't matter in the United
States, it matters the world wide. And we don't have an answer
to that.
Secretary Granholm. The entire world has signed on to the
agreement in the----
Senator Kennedy. The entire world is not spending $2
trillion.
Secretary Granholm. The entire world is spending more than
that.
Senator Kennedy. But the entire world is not--most of this
is lip service. You and I both know it.
Secretary Granholm. Well, that is not what we are seeing. I
agree that we have to verify, and that we have to make sure
that people are living up to their commitments. And that is
what these agreements are all about. But I understand your
skepticism because you have to verify.
Senator Kennedy. Yes, ma'am. And what I have verified is,
that we are being asked to spend $2 trillion. And the world's
biggest emitter of CO2 is China, third biggest is
India and their attitude seems to be: Go get them. We will hold
your coat while you do that. Meanwhile, President Xi keeps
building power plants fueled by coal. And he has been known to
reside on the scarce side of being honest.
I went way over. I am in big trouble. I am sorry.
Senator Feinstein. Thank you very much.
Madam Secretary, I want to thank you for your forbearance.
I want to just ask one thing that perhaps we might be able to
talk about a little bit, and that is the $2.6 billion in
funding for the ARPA-E (Advanced Research Projects Agency--
Energy) area, and included in the budget is a new request for
another ARPA focused on climate. And it is unclear exactly how
that would work and why it is needed. And so I just like to put
that on your agenda. I am very interested in what the answer
is, and if I could get that answer, I would appreciate it very
much.
Secretary Granholm. Yes. Just briefly, there is $200
million in our budget for this proposed ARPA-C (Advanced
Research Projects Agency--Climate), and $300 million in other
agencies. There are six other agencies that would be involved.
So it would be a cross-departmental effort, housed at DOE in
partnership with ARPA-E, but the C part means that they would
be looking at technologies that impact climate, that are not
necessarily energy.
So, for example, the items that we were discussing about
how to identify ways to mitigate wildfires, how to make
communities more resilient, and the technologies associated
with that, that is what ARPA-C would be looking at, in
partnership with ARPA-E. We want to negotiate this and work on
it with Congress, with the Senate, and the House. And it could
be that there is a dotted line to both, so that they work in
tandem with one another, because obviously they are related.
But the C part, as we are seeing on a regular basis, is really
necessary given the increasing amount of these energy events.
Senator Feinstein. Well, let me just say thank you for
that. Perhaps we could meet, and with some of your staff,
develop that a little bit further. I am very worried about what
the weather brings for the West Coast.
Secretary Granholm. Yes.
Senator Feinstein. And obviously, particularly the biggest
State there, and 40 million people, and a lot of old
infrastructure, very little of which in this area is new, I
find. What do we do for the future? So that is long range. And
I would not ask you to respond to that now, but if you would
ask your people to look at that, and if we could have a meeting
and discuss it, I would be very grateful.
Secretary Granholm. Great. You got it.
Senator Feinstein. Thank you. And thank you for being here;
and your staff as well.
ADDITIONAL COMMITTEE QUESTIONS
The hearing record will remain open for 10 days. Senators
may submit additional information or questions for the record
within that time, if they would like. And the subcommittee
requests that all responses to questions for the record be
provided within 30 days of receipt.
[The following questions were not asked at the hearing, but
were submitted to the Department for response subsequent to the
hearing:]
Questions Submitted to Hon. Jennifer Granholm
Questions Submitted by Senator John Kennedy
renewable fuel standard//small refinery exemptions
Question. There is growing bipartisan consensus that the Renewable
Fuel Standard (RFS) is broken. The 2005 law mandates an increasing
percentage of transportation fuel be renewables, but as fuel economy
drastically improved and refiners ran into the ``blend wall'' the
mandates became untenable.
As part of the RFS, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
assigns refiners annual quotas for ethanol they must blend into
gasoline or diesel fuel. The businesses get tradeable credits known as
renewable identification numbers (RINs) for each gallon of renewable
fuel. Those that don't meet their quotas have to buy RINs from other
parties to comply.
Ethanol RINs alone this year have hit their highest price in
program history nearing $2 a gallon. Gasoline across the country is
hitting 6-year highs and this is in no small part due to the broken
RFS.
It is estimated the ethanol mandate is adding about 30 cents a
gallon to the cost of gas--Federal gas tax is 18.4 cents. In fact, many
small and independent refiners --refiners that support vital east coast
and rural Midwest markets-- spend more on compliance and RINs credits
than on payroll, electricity and utilities.
What is the Department of Energy doing to address the skyrocketing
compliance costs associated with the RFS?
Answer. DOE supports research in the production of renewable fuels
to lower the cost of the ethanol and biodiesel that is blended into the
transportation fuel pool.
Additionally, DOE consults with EPA in determining which small
refineries qualify for hardship relief through small refinery
exemptions (SREs). SREs can influence the Renewable Identification
Number (RIN) price and therefore the cost of compliance for refineries.
DOE works with EPA to provide technical input into their efforts to
set the renewable volume obligations (RVO). Mandated renewable fuel
blending volumes should be achievable by the refining industry and
continue to support renewable fuel producers.
Question. Is the Department of Energy concerned that the volatile
RIN market is forcing the closure of refineries that are vital to
getting fuel to markets?
Answer. RIN price volatility adds to the difficulty refineries have
in controlling their RIN costs. The rising price of RINs has increased
purchase cost of RINs for both small and large refineries.
Question. Will the Department of Energy commit to working with the
Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to reign in the
cost of RINs?
Answer. DOE is committed to working with the EPA Administrator and
staff to use the tools we have available to ensure that the price of
RINs is fair and equitable both to refiners and bio-fuel producers.
The RFS allows small refineries to receive an exemption from the
RFS, if they can prove compliance would subject them to
disproportionate economic hardship. There is no statutory definition
for disproportionate economic hardship, and a small refinery may apply
for an exemption at any time. When deciding whether to grant an
exemption, EPA is to consult with the Secretary of Energy.
Question. Now that the Supreme Court has affirmed the fact that
small refineries may receive extensions of their RFS exemptions even if
their earlier exemptions had lapsed, will the Department of Energy
commit to supporting small refineries showing hardship?
Answer. EPA is required by the Clean Air Act, as amended, to
consult with DOE on small refinery exemption petitions. Additionally,
DOE was required to provide EPA a study to determine whether compliance
with the requirements of the Renewable Fuel Program would impose a
disproportionate economic hardship on small refineries.
DOE prepared a February 2009 Small Refinery Exemption Study and a
subsequent March 2011 Small Refinery Exemption Study (2011 Study),
which is the basis for determining disproportionate economic hardship,
as required by statute. EPA uses the DOE's findings based on the
metrics set forth in the 2011 Study in adjudicating the small refinery
petition. DOE is committed to continue to provide EPA the findings from
its disproportionate economic hardship analysis, as contemplated by the
Clean Air Act, in the future.
Question. The hack and subsequent shutdown of the Colonial Pipeline
highlighted the importance of regional refining capacity. A number of
refineries have shut down over the past few years with many of those
directly reporting compliance costs associated with the RFS as being a
leading factor in their shuttering. Does the dwindling refinery
capacity as a result of the RFS concern the Department of Energy?
Answer. In January 2020, ethanol RIN prices were below 20 cents per
RIN. By March 2021, ethanol RIN prices increased to about $2.00 per
RIN, greatly increasing RFS compliance costs. During the COVID-19
pandemic, refineries faced high RIN prices as well as reduced gasoline
and diesel demands. This placed financial stress on the refining
industry due to lower refining margins and higher than usual RFS costs.
Question. As the average lifespan of a vehicle in the United States
is anywhere from 13-17 years, in addition to a recent Energy
Information Administration (EIA) report indicating a year-to-year
gasoline reduction of 14 percent, what is the Department doing to work
with the EPA on making sure American vehicles are protected from
increasing renewable fuel mandates?
Answer. DOE works with EPA on setting the renewable volume
obligations (RVO) for the current year as well as in setting the RVO
for future years (2023 and beyond, when Congress has not set renewable
fuel mandates). DOE works with EPA with the aim that the RVOs and
renewable mandates that EPA recommends are achievable by the refining
industry, provide appropriate fuel for the Nation's transportation
fleet, and support renewable fuel producers per the original intent of
the statute.
______
Questions Submitted by Senator Susan M. Collins
energy storage
Question. I appreciate for the conversations we have had regarding
the importance of energy storage research and innovation and was
pleased to see that the Department's budget request includes funding
for a multi-year series of competitive solicitations to conduct
technology neutral commercial-scale energy storage demonstration
projects.
As you and I have previously discussed, my legislation to support
energy storage research and development--the Better Energy Storage
Technology, or BEST, Act--became law in December 2020 and authorized
three commercial-scale energy storage demonstration projects. While I
understand funding is critical to get these demonstration projects
going, it is important that the Department has the necessary
infrastructure to solicit proposals once the funding is available.
What actions has the Department taken to ensure that when the
funding is available that the energy storage demonstration projects
will be able to get off the ground as quickly as possible?
Answer. The Department of Energy (DOE) continues to conduct
stakeholder outreach to better understand technology readiness and
where energy storage demonstration projects would be most beneficial.
These efforts have been undertaken in close collaboration with the
Office of Electricity (OE) and Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
(EERE), as well as other offices with a role in the demonstration and
commercialization of energy storage. For example, DOE, via Sandia
National Laboratories, hosted a ``Priorities and Pathways to Long-
Duration Energy Storage'' workshop on March 9-10, 2021. Via Pacific
Northwest National Laboratory, DOE hosted an ``Energy Storage for
Social Equity Roundtable'' on June 28-29, 2021.
DOE has also conducted energy storage workshops with utility
regulators, including those from New Jersey, Iowa, Utah, Maryland,
Nevada, New Mexico, Michigan, Wisconsin, and the New England Conference
of Public Utility Commissioners. In addition, on July 14, 2021, DOE
announced the second target within DOE's Energy Earthshots Initiative,
``Long Duration Storage Shot,'' which sets the goal to reduce grid
storage costs by 90 percent for systems that deliver 10 or more hours
of long duration energy storage by 2030. Finally, the fiscal year 2022
Budget Request proposes new funding opportunities in OE, EERE, and the
new Office of Clean Energy Demonstration.
cybersecurity
Question. I appreciate your response to the letter I sent with
Senator Risch and others regarding the Office of Cybersecurity, Energy
Security, and Emergency Response (CESER). As you are well aware, our
adversaries are seeking to access and undermine our critical
infrastructure, including our electric grid. The Colonial Pipeline
cyber-attack by Russian-based hackers was one in a serious of
significant cyber operations against our country this year. Foreign
cyber operations against critical infrastructure, however, have been an
ongoing problem. Russia's cyber-attacks against Ukraine's power grid in
2015 and 2016 are an example.
Given the cyber-attacks that have occurred this year, what is the
Department of Energy doing to strengthen cybersecurity through CESER
across our country's critical energy infrastructure and national labs?
Answer. The Department of Energy (DOE)'s fiscal year 2022 Budget
Request proposes to invest $201 million in the Office of Cybersecurity,
Energy Security, and Emergency Response (CESER). As the office
responsible for executing DOE's Sector Risk Management Agency and
Emergency Support Function #12--Energy responsibilities, CESER works
closely with energy sector partners and across all levels of government
to prepare for and respond to growing and evolving cyber threats and
attacks to U.S. energy infrastructure.
The fiscal year 2022 Budget Request will strengthen CESER's ability
to execute its energy and national security mission by enhancing the
office's risk management, situational awareness and emergency response
capabilities. Specifically, the fiscal year 2022 Budget Request will
advance policies, technologies, and initiatives, including work with
DOE national labs, to increase the visibility of physical and cyber
threats in the operational technology environment, mature the
cybersecurity supply chain, and support exercises and partnerships with
states and other public and private sector organizations that will
bolster the nation's energy security and resilience.
CESER will also lead crosscutting cyber-R&D and ensure that
cybersecurity is incorporated into the research and development
activities for all of DOE's technology program offices.
offshore wind
Question. In 2020 alone, Europe added 2,918 megawatts of offshore
wind power, bringing their total offshore wind capacity to more than
25,000 megawatts. By comparison, only 30 megawatts of offshore wind has
been installed in the U.S. I am pleased the Department is making
offshore wind development a priority, with the goal of deploying 30,000
megawatts of offshore wind by 2030, and has already acted on this
commitment through recent approvals for offshore wind projects located
off the costs of New York and New Jersey.
A world-class consortium, led by the University of Maine, is
pioneering a new era of energy independence by harnessing powerful
deepwater offshore winds in the U.S. through one of DOE's offshore wind
demonstration projects. When installed, Aqua Ventus will deploy the
nation's first floating, deepwater offshore wind turbines off the coast
of Maine. In my state alone, the offshore wind industry has the
potential to support an annual average of more than 2,000 jobs through
2030.
Given UMaine's demonstration project, I encourage the Department to
focus on floating deepwater offshore wind turbines technology, in
addition to conventional offshore wind.
How is the department prioritizing the advancement of domestic,
innovative clean energy technologies through R&D, specifically in the
deepwater, floating offshore wind space?
Answer. The President's Fiscal Year 2022 Budget Request proposes an
increase in funding level for the Wind Energy Technologies Office's
(WETO) Offshore Wind subprogram that reflects the prioritization of
research, development, demonstration, and deployment (RDD&D)
innovations to drive U.S. offshore installations to contribute to the
achievement of the Administration's goals of 100 percent clean
electricity by 2035 and a net-zero carbon economy by 2050.
Targeted funding will support a wide range of RDD&D activities,
specifically including a focus on:
--Innovative offshore wind environmental and siting solutions.
--Cost-effective offshore wind floating platform design development.
--Domestic offshore wind advanced manufacturing, supply chain
development, and recycling.
--Offshore wind storage hybrids and hydrogen production.
--Acceleration of cost reductions to offshore wind system
manufacturing, installation, and operations through technology
innovations and industrialization.
advanced manufacturing
Question. Advanced composite materials and manufacturing methods,
including large-scale additive manufacturing and the manufacturing of
bio-based composites, have the potential to revolutionize our
manufacturing sector.
Starting in fiscal year 2019, DOE awarded $20 million in funding to
support an innovative collaboration between the University of Maine and
Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Through this partnership, the University
of Maine has secured the world's largest 3D printer and recently
printed the world's largest 3D-printed boat at 25-feet, 5,000-pounds.
According to Habib Dagher, executive director of UMaine's Advanced
Structures and Composites Center, UMaine hopes to print with 50 percent
wood products at 500 pounds per hour, producing materials with
properties similar to aluminum. This ongoing initiative between UMaine
and ORNL will provide needed opportunities and support job growth in
the forest products, manufacturing, composites, wind, and boatbuilding
industries.
Would you elaborate on how the Department plans to maintain and
foster these research collaborations between the National Labs and
universities that will help us maintain American leadership in advanced
manufacturing?
Answer. DOE continues to support the innovative collaboration
between the University of Maine and Oak Ridge National Laboratory to
deliver novel, low-cost, low-impact bio- based materials for 3D
printing and other applications. The partnership fosters accelerated
place-based innovation and collaborative research by linking two
regional centers of industrial and research expertise together to solve
shared technical problems and accelerate research and development.
Current and future research focus areas include: reducing cost and
energy of cellulosic material refinement methods, development of next-
generation large-format deposition strategies to achieve 500 lbs. per
hour deposition, development of advanced molecular dynamic modeling and
other simulation tools, and targeted technical demonstrations for high
impact applications in wind, buildings, and marine applications. In
addition to these long-term projects, the partnership allows for direct
and fast industrial engagement through short, targeted research
projects that support the technical portfolio.
______
Questions Submitted by Senator Bill Hagerty
Question. Nuclear power accounts for 60 percent of the U.S. carbon-
free electricity and nuclear power plays an important role in providing
clean, cheap, and reliable power, especially for important national
security facilities.
However, the cost to build and operate today's large nuclear
reactors is too high. Advanced reactors have the potential to be
smaller, cost less, produce less waste, and be safer than today's
reactors. The Department of Energy currently operates an important
program that allows the Department to partner with industry to build
two advanced reactors in the next 7 years. While this investment is
important, one of the crucial aspects that has been overlooked by the
two existing projects is a partnership with a utility. As the future
owner-operator of new nuclear plants, utilities will be critical in
deciding which technology design has the highest chance of success to
actually be deployed onto the electrical grid and ultimately supplied
to customers. The Tennessee Valley Authority currently has the only
Nuclear Regulatory Commission early site permit for a Small Modular
Reactor.
Secretary Granholm, can you provide an update on the two Advanced
Reactor Demonstration Projects currently ongoing at the Department of
Energy? Are you concerned about them meeting the required seven-year
time window given that neither has an NRC Early Site Permit, which as I
understand means they have about 2 years' worth of work compared to
sites which currently hold that permit?
Answer. The Office of Nuclear Energy (NE) has completed
negotiations and finalized awards to both of the selected Advanced
Reactor Demonstration Project (ARDP) demonstration awardees; the X-
energy Xe-100 high temperature gas reactor and the TerraPower Natrium
sodium-cooled fast reactor. NE is now actively supporting and
overseeing the Federal investment in these projects. While it is still
early in the project lifecycles, the two lead companies are already
making significant progress in the design, engineering, and licensing
of these important technologies and have met initial scheduled
milestones established within their respective awards.
The seven-year timeline to commercial demonstration established by
Congress is very ambitious. To ensure that we selected the
demonstration applicants best prepared to meet the program goal, the
Department considered a range of views by subject matter experts
experienced in the licensing and operation of nuclear plants in our
evaluation process. The Department also entered into an agreement with
the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to obtain their independent expertise
and consultation on licensing options and pathways, including
feasibility of advanced reactor licensing timing and schedules. While
an Early Site Permit provides a schedule advantage in licensing a
reactor demonstration, it should be noted that the ARDP demonstration
project selection process considered many factors besides licensing,
including technology innovation, design diversity, and capabilities
that exceed that of the existing fleet, as well as potential for future
sales and fleet-level deployment.
Question. Secretary Granholm, have you considered partnering
directly with a utility with experience building and operating nuclear
reactors, as your Department works to increase opportunities for new
nuclear deployment? What would be the central factors of that
consideration?
Answer. Initial demonstration projects under the Department's
Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program (ARDP) are being executed via a
Funding Opportunity Announcement that solicited project proposals that
could potentially result in the commercial operation of the reactor in
five to 7 years.
The merit review and selection process employed to evaluate
proposals included an assessment of the applicant's ability to meet
specific criteria such as the technical feasibility and likelihood that
the demonstration reactor could be designed, licensed, constructed, and
operational within the seven-year window, the robustness of the
applicant's project management processes, the affordability of the
design and competitiveness in the commercial market, and the technical
abilities, qualifications and commitment of the project team.
Applicants generally teamed with architect and engineering firms and
utilities that had experience in the construction of nuclear reactors.
The ultimate demonstration selections under the ARDP were made based on
a combined scoring of all the above factors.
______
Questions Submitted by Senator Patrick Leahy
Question. In some areas of Vermont, vermiculite affects 10 percent
of households eligible for the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP).
The fiscal year 2018 and fiscal year 2019 appropriations bills included
language directing the Department of Energy to make $500,000 available
to current WAP grant recipients via the Weatherization Innovation Pilot
Program to develop and implement strategies to treat harmful
substances, including vermiculite. The set-aside for this work
increased to $1,000,000 in the fiscal year 2020 and fiscal year 2021
bills. It is my understanding that much of this money has been spent on
developing strategies to remediate vermiculite, rather than the
implementation of those strategies.
Please provide the details of how the Department of Energy has
issued this money to current Weatherization Assistance Program
recipients specifically to implement solutions, rather than develop
those solutions.
Answer. DOE's approach to addressing vermiculite was discussed with
Senate Energy and Water Subcommittee staff in July of 2018. DOE has
tasked the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to perform a field
study to measure the effects of current approaches used by Grantees and
Subgrantees to weatherize homes with vermiculite insulation. The study,
which is currently on-going, will include research elements that will
identify any mitigating actions that may be applicable in performing
such retrofits.
DOE's Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) envisions the project
will monitor 50-100 dwellings from 3-5 Grantees, including Vermont's
(VT) Department for Children and Family's (DCF). Indoor quality testing
will be done both before and after weatherization activities are
performed, and any homes that require asbestos or vermiculite
mitigation will receive it. VT's DCF has agreed to participate in the
ORNL project to help ORNL better assess current approaches to
remediating vermiculite in homes, and ORNL will issue contracts
directly to the Subgrantees, in concert with the VT WAP.
This field study is focused on data collection that includes, house
occupant and weatherization worker exposures to asbestos before,
during, and after the weatherization of the houses containing
vermiculite insulation using four identified approaches:
--Weatherizing the house as normal after testing reveals that the
vermiculite insulation contains less than 1 percent asbestos by
weight.
--Avoiding areas of the house where vermiculite insulation is
installed and weatherizing the remaining areas of the house as
normal.
--Blowing cellulose or other insulation over the existing vermiculite
insulation.
--Weatherizing the areas of the house where vermiculite insulation is
installed using unique/alternative approaches developed
specifically for that house.
Completed activities to date for the field study:
--Initial interview of Grantees and identification of approaches
being taken by various states, narrowing down the Grantees of
interest based on their approaches
--Development of the detailed Experimental Plan and its iterative
improvement
--Identification of necessary equipment, sampling procedures, and
analytical methods
--Environmental Protection Agency Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response
Act- certified asbestos sampling training of project Principle
Investigator
--Communication and discussions of the Experimental Plan with
Weatherization Grantees (States) and Subgrantees (private non-
profits and local units of government)
--Institutional Review Board (IRB) review completion.
Currently, the project is 6-8 months behind schedule based on the
submitted 2020 Experimental Plan. This is due to two factors. First,
the IRB full board review required several modifications to the
procedures outline in the Experimental Plan. Moreover, the 2019 novel
coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2, or COVID-19) pandemic has also delayed
progress in moving forward due to the stoppage of weatherization work
at the beginning of the pandemic.
The remaining tasks to complete the study and their expected
deadlines are:
--Identify subcontractors formally and implement a bidding process
--Completion by late September 2021
--Subcontracting with asbestos sampling firms or contractors,
Subgrantees, and analytical laboratories
--Completion by November 2021
--Training of subcontractors based on the standard operating
procedures developed for the study
--Completion by December 2021
--Data collection
--Completion by December 2022
--Sample analysis
--Completion by June 2023
--Final Report
--Completion by September 2023
Question. How does the Department of Energy plan to build off of
the vermiculite remediation strategies it has developed to directly
assist homeowners seeking assistance through state Weatherization
Assistance Programs?
Answer. Once the field study referenced above is finalized, Oak
Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) will issue a final report on the
effects of Grantees' current approaches on weatherized dwellings
containing vermiculite. The study results will be used by DOE to
develop additional guidance on existing and potential strategies
identified during the process to address asbestos contamination in
vermiculite insulation (i.e., how to better approach and complete
weatherization of dwellings with vermiculite insulation, including
precautions needed, avoidance criteria, etc.). Appropriations bills
from fiscal year 2018 to fiscal year 2021 have included report language
encouraging the Department of Energy, while administering the Clean
Cities program, to prioritize projects in States where the
transportation sector is responsible for a higher percentage of the
State's total energy consumption and is its largest source of
greenhouse gases. This emphasis is particularly important for rural
states like Vermont, where transportation accounts for nearly 40
percent of total emissions--almost 10 percent more than the national
average--and where progress on vehicle emissions reduction provides a
significant opportunity to achieve State and national climate goals.
Question. Can you provide an update on how the Department
prioritizes projects within Clean Cities, and whether recent funding
cycles have emphasized States with higher transportation sector fuel
consumption and emissions?
Answer. Clean Cities competitive funding opportunities are designed
to implement and facilitate education, outreach, and training projects
focused on helping to accelerate the adoption of alternative fuels and
other advanced vehicle technologies. Funding applications for
deployment projects include scoring criteria that address impacts on
fuel consumption and emissions. In addition, a national network of more
than 75 active coalitions covering nearly every state and 80 percent of
the U.S. population, brings together stakeholders in the public and
private sectors to use alternative and renewable fuels, idle-reduction
(IR) measures, fuel economy improvements, and new transportation
technologies as they emerge.
In 2019 these collective efforts resulted in a cumulative impact in
energy use equal to 1 billion gasoline gallon equivalents and prevented
nearly five million carbon dioxide equivalent tons of emissions. An
analysis of the eight states where transportation accounts for 50
percent or more of emissions shows that for fiscal year 2018-fiscal
year 2020, there have been 30 Clean Cities projects funded in those
states representing $22 million of Federal funding. Projects seeking
funding for fiscal year 2021 are currently being reviewed.
Appropriations bills from fiscal year 2018 to fiscal year 2021 have
included report language encouraging the Department of Energy, while
administering the Clean Cities program, to prioritize projects in
States where the transportation sector is responsible for a higher
percentage of the State's total energy consumption and is its largest
source of greenhouse gases. This emphasis is particularly important for
rural states like Vermont, where transportation accounts for nearly 40
percent of total emissions--almost 10 percent more than the national
average--and where progress on vehicle emissions reduction provides a
significant opportunity to achieve State and national climate goals.
I appreciate your focus and commitment to achieving widespread
national deployment of electric vehicles (EVs) as a cornerstone of the
President's climate agenda, represented in both the fiscal year 2022
budget request and in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill. In some parts
of the country where colder temperatures reduce battery range, many
buyers are apprehensive about purchasing an EV as their primary mode of
transportation, even as the costs of EVs continue to decrease and
become more accessible. Particularly in largely rural and car-dependent
communities, like those in Vermont, reduced battery range during the
winter poses a significant obstacle for many drivers. Importantly, EV
charging infrastructure is especially critical to facilitate EV
adoption in these areas. I am also concerned that a lack of
standardization in EV charging technology across the sector--including
unique and proprietary features--remain an obstacle for widespread
adoption and deployment.
Question. How will the Department of Energy work with other
Departments and agencies to ensure that EV charging infrastructure
funding is appropriately disbursed geographically to allow the most
car-dependent communities--specifically in colder and rural areas--to
transition to zero emission transportation?
Answer. The Department will work with other Federal agencies and
state offices to ensure that Federal EV charging funding is disbursed
equitably and across the entire nation to provide access to convenient
charging to all Americans based on nationwide detailed analyses of
charging needs and infrastructure placement and on roadmaps built in
coordination with local stakeholders. A national charging system will
need to include high-power charging along highways and a combination of
low and high-power charging in communities to ensure equitable access
to EV charging for residents who do not have access to private
charging. This includes investing in workplace charging, curbside
charging, and public-access locations such as transportation hubs,
commercial destinations, libraries, and government buildings.
The department is also studying how to address barriers to
installing EV charging for residents of multi-family housing through
innovative charging and management technology, outreach and education
efforts targeting developers and property managers, and finance models.
Ensuring equitable access to charging for rural communities will
require coordination with utilities on electric service capacity and
demand charges as well as investments in distributed energy resources.
These are all areas the department will work on as it seeks to expand
EV charging for all Americans.
Question. As the Biden administration works to achieve its goal of
500,000 EV charging stations across the country by 2030, what efforts
are underway to encourage industry standardization of charging
infrastructure and systems to ensure access for all communities and
widespread adoption?
Answer. The Department believes a seamless charging experience for
all electric vehicle (EV) users and effectively integrating EV charging
with the grid will be important for the success of EVs. This requires
physical interoperability, accessible payment, and open data protocols
both to provide station data to users and for back-end communication
between the charging equipment, network operators, and the electric
utilities. We are ready to work with other agencies and industries to
develop solutions tackling all these elements. On physical
interoperability, in particular, we recognize the challenges that are
created by the existence of two EV Direct Current Fast Charger (DCFC)
connector standards, SAE Combined Charging System (CCS) and CHAdeMO (a
charging standard for EVs), and one non-standardized, proprietary
connect, Tesla. Tesla has not announced specifics yet. At this point,
DOE would still stress a seamless and interoperable charging
environment and it's possible that the Supercharger network could
provide this in the future.
Today, in the United States the automakers selling EVs using non-
proprietary connectors are converging on the use of the CCS connector
and the non-proprietary charging networks are predominantly installing
DCFC with CCS connectors, with only a small number of CHAdeMO equipped
DCFC to support legacy CHAdeMO EVs. While these advances are
encouraging, physical interoperability is only one element and the
Department will be working with EV stakeholders to develop a National
EV Charging Technical Roadmap to identify the key system enablers and
technologies that will allow for a reliable, resilient, and convenient
charging network that will support the widespread adoption of EVs in
all communities.
______
Questions Submitted to Dr. Charles Verdon
Questions Submitted by Senator Bill Hagerty
Question. The Uranium Processing Facility in Tennessee is one of
the Federal Government's largest construction projects. Over the past 7
years, this Subcommittee has provided significant funding for this
project, including $750 million in fiscal year 2021.
The President's budget proposes $524 million to continue
construction of the Uranium Processing Facility. However, I understand
that $620 million is needed to keep this project on schedule.
Dr. Verdon, is the Uranium Processing Facility still on track to be
completed by 2025 at a cost of no more than $6.5 billion?
Answer. NNSA completed an independent review the week of February
22-25, 2021, which identified that the staffing and material
improvements over the past 6 months have been insufficient to maintain
a December 2025 completion date. However, multiple opportunities exist
over the next 4 years to improve schedule performance and potentially
complete on-time. Since that review, NNSA has increased staffing and
material deliveries and appears to have improved performance, making
the December 2025 completion date and the total project cost
potentially more attainable. We believe that available carryover and
the $524 million in the President's Budget will address planned work in
fiscal year 2022.
Question. Dr. Verdon, has the pandemic had an effect on
construction and on-budget ability to finish this project?
Answer. UPF project construction continued throughout the COVID-19
pandemic, and suppliers were notified that their deliveries to the UPF
project were part of NNSA's critical infrastructure work and should
continue. Additionally, enhanced cleaning, staggered shifts, masks, and
an increase in the bus fleet used to transport personnel to the job
site limited the overall impact to UPF construction.
The project continues to take mitigation measures as some
deliveries have been impacted, and construction execution experienced
some decrease in efficiency at peak COVID cases during the past holiday
season.
It is too early to determine COVID cost impacts as we are still
operating with pandemic related protocols.
Question. Dr. Verdon, what lessons have we learned from the Uranium
Processing Facility that are being applied to the other big
construction project at the Department of Energy? Specifically, the
Lithium Processing Facility--another multi-billion-dollar construction
project slated to begin at Y-12.
Answer. NNSA will continue to use lessons learned from UPF and our
entire portfolio to improve early project planning and requirements
development. For example, NNSA recently started assigning project
directors immediately after Analysis of Alternatives are complete. NNSA
also will institute a rigorous change control program to limit scope
growth.
NNSA's fiscal year 2022 budget request also asks for appropriate
staff to ensure that NNSA has the right numbers of qualified
acquisition and project management specialists to oversee our growing
portfolio. Finally, NNSA will complete designs before baselining,
procure long lead materials as early as practicable to optimize cost
and schedule performance, and break large projects into subprojects to
better manage scope.
conclusion of hearings
Senator Feinstein. So, Madam Secretary, it is wonderful to see you.
Thank you for being here.
Thank you so much. And the meeting is adjourned.
[Whereupon, at 11:29 a.m., Wednesday, June 23, the hearings were
concluded, and the subcommittee was recessed, to reconvene subject to
the call of the Chair.]
ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2022
----------
U.S. Senate,
Subcommittee of the Committee on Appropriations,
Washington, DC.
NONDEPARTMENTAL WITNESSES
[Clerk's note.--The subcommittee was unable to hold
hearings on nondepartmental witnesses. The statements and
letters of those submitting written testimony are as follows:]
Prepared Statement of Aclara Technologies, LLC
As a leading technology provider to electric, gas and water
utilities, Aclara Technologies, LLC--a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Hubbell Incorporated \1\--respectfully urges you to prioritize
modernization of the nation's electric distribution systems and funding
to improve the performance, efficiency, and safety of our nation's
energy and water distribution infrastructure in the Fiscal Year (FY)
2022 Energy and Water Appropriations bill. We thank you for this
opportunity to express our support for this funding and appreciate your
consideration.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Hubbell Incorporated is an international manufacturer of high
quality, reliable electrical and utility solutions for a broad range of
customer and end market applications. With 2020 revenues of $4.2
billion, Hubbell Incorporated operates 70 manufacturing facilities in
the United States, employing over 9,550 Americans, and has additional
facilities and employees around the world. The corporate headquarters
is located in Shelton, CT. Hubbell Inc. acquired Aclara Technologies in
2018.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aclara Technologies, LLC (``Aclara'') provides smart infrastructure
technologies to electric, gas and water utilities, with offerings in
advanced metering, utility automation, methane sensing, device
networking and communications, data management, analytics, and customer
service. Over 1,100 utilities in thirty-six countries rely on proven
Aclara solutions. There are currently 1,000 Aclara clients located in
all 50 states and Aclara employs over 1,500 staff in the United States
and over 195 internationally. Companies like Aclara prove that smart
technologies mean jobs, not just at Aclara, but also at utilities in
the form of installation and monitoring jobs.
Aclara offers its strong support for the advancement of
technologies that can improve our nation's energy and water
distribution networks by providing enhanced monitoring, detection, and
control capabilities. These technologies are an important and cost-
effective way to increase reliability, efficiency, and safety of our
ageing infrastructure. Supporting the advancement of these technologies
will be crucial as the country's energy and water distribution networks
continue to age and as the risks for utilities and network operators
rise.
electrical distribution infrastructure
The U.S. currently has over 500 million above-ground utility poles
with over 5 million miles of overhead distribution conductors fed from
greater than 62,000 distribution substations. Aclara understands that
electric utilities must divide their collective attention between many
priorities including maintaining the vast distribution infrastructure
mentioned above and adapting the infrastructure to the deployment of
distributed energy resources such as solar, wind, and storage. The
technology to verify the health of the distribution assets such as the
position and orientation of utility poles and the attached conductors
is in development to enable utilities to sense, for example, a car has
collided with a utility pole or an overhead conductor has dropped from
the utility pole. Other key analytics about clusters of these
conditions, as when windstorms or ice buildups cause cascade failures
of conductor support systems, enable utilities to respond in real time
to failure events as well as better estimate resources required for
large scale recoveries. The technology in development is also very
cost-effective, as it can be installed on new distribution system
construction and easily retrofitted to existing distribution
infrastructure. In addition to ensuring funds are dedicated to the
advancement of distribution infrastructure, we also urge you to support
appropriations for technologies to make our electrical distribution
asset monitoring systems ``smarter,'' particularly when failure of
these systems presents a safety risk to the public.
Specifically, for FY22, we urge support for two important
demonstration projects to be carried out within the DOE Office of
Electricity's Resilient Distribution Systems Grid Sensors and Sensor
Analytics program. The first demonstration project should focus on
utilizing data from advanced distribution sensors that are deployed on
existing distribution lines to predict and/or detect vegetation contact
in order to mitigate wildfires and wildfire impacts.The second
demonstration project should focus on measuring the condition of
utility poles in terms of their position, impacts, and presence of high
temperatures. Data from the sensors should be utilized and visualized
from these devices to provide useful and immediate analytics to improve
the safety of the general public and improve electrical distribution
network performance indices.
Also of importance in discussions about electric grid
infrastructure is the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. For
decades, sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) has been used as a dielectric
insulator in gas insulated systems. One pound of SF6 has the same
global warming potential as 22,800 pounds of CO2.
Additionally, since it is such a stable compound, it has a life of
3,200 years in the atmosphere vs 200 years for CO2. The US
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established a voluntary
program in which partner companies agree to reduce SF6 emissions
through technically and economically feasible actions. Although SF6
designs have been commercially available and have functioned reliably
for the past 30 years, new available technologies have emerged at
comparable prices that offer superior performance and a greatly reduced
carbon footprint. These alternatives should be strongly promoted in
grid devices operating under 72kV. Unfortunately, there has not been a
good alternative found for SF6 for grid equipment above 72kV. As such,
we urge DOE to advance safe and effective capture and reuse
technologies for SF6 in grid equipment above 72kV.
water infrastructure
Although many of our nation's water and wastewater systems have
been around for more than a century, water infrastructure spending has
received a significantly smaller and decreasing share of total
infrastructure investment. the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) estimates a needed investment of $750 billion over the next 20
years to maintain the nation's drinking water and wastewater
infrastructure. Without the necessary federal funding to close the gap,
communities across the country will continue to face rate increases
that disproportionately impact our most vulnerable communities.
Water leaks cost many cities as much as 10 to 30 percent loss of
their water, leaks that also waste a lot of energy. The EPA estimates
that drinking water and wastewater systems account for 30 to 40 percent
of total energy consumed by municipalities. As much as 8.4 billion
kilowatts is wasted each year moving water nationwide. Due to ageing
infrastructure, significant energy savings are possible through the use
of leak detection and pressure monitoring technologies to improve
operational efficiencies and reduce water loss.
Water system efficiency and smart water networks should be a
clearly stated goal of any investments made in our nation's water
infrastructure. Water distribution systems should be modernized in a
way that increases water and energy efficiency and enables customers
and utilities to interact with it as never before. This will require
smart water networks that facilitate the collection of data via sensors
along distribution networks, advanced analytics, and the incorporation
of communications technologies to optimize performance, preempt
problems, and allow for rapid response.
The utilization of infrastructure solutions such as distribution
network leak detection, pressure monitoring, and sanitary and combined
sewer monitoring technologies during upgrades to water and wastewater
systems help optimize water delivery performance, reduce energy usage,
limit water waste in distribution systems, and enhance modeling of
sewer collection networks. This will help to improve operations,
maintenance, and capital expenditure in planning and budgeting, and
increase spatial and temporal monitoring data available on U.S. water
quality and quantity.
One key aspect of smart water networks is advanced metering
infrastructure (AMI). AMI can offer communities multiple advantages to
improve their management of water, reducing water and energy waste, and
decrease costs for distributors, operators, and consumers. Detailed
consumption data provided by AMI can help reduce water use in many
ways, including:
--Detects system leaks--Non-revenue water costs utilities $4.9
billion per year. AMI can help drastically reduce water leaks
and associated costs by creating a continuous flow of
information from advanced meters, combined with advanced data
analytics, that enables water suppliers to rapidly and
precisely identify water losses and conservation opportunities.
--Helps consumers save water (and money)--AMI allows for hourly data
to be made available to end consumers. Providing this kind of
detailed water use information to consumers through an
associated consumer engagement application or customer portal
is proven to increase conservation, thereby saving consumers
money on their monthly water bills.
--Provides resilience during and following natural disasters--for
example, Aclara's system in New York City, which serves more
than 9 million people, weathered Hurricane Sandy with minimal
disruption. Aclara's water meter transmission units have a 20
year battery life and its data collectors offer a rugged,
weather-proofed design that stores 28 days of data with a 14
day back up battery life. Deployments offer redundancy so that
if an individual data collector is disabled, another collector
can continue to obtain meter data for that area, offering
resiliency critical after earthquakes, floods or other
disasters.
natural gas infrastructure
The U.S. currently has 2.4 million miles of natural gas pipeline
infrastructure and approximately 400 storage fields, which combined
carry around 25% of the total energy consumed in the U.S. The low cost
and relative abundance of natural gas is driving the aggressive
expansion of new pipeline infrastructure. It is also causing increased
use of existing infrastructure, putting pressure on an ageing system.
As our reliance on natural gas continues to expand, so will the
pressures on our natural gas infrastructure. As such, it is imperative
that adequate funding be provided for both pressure management--which
increases the efficiency of natural gas distribution networks--as well
as methane detection technology, which can reduce the occurrence and
severity of methane leaks which cost utilities money and can present a
significant risk to public health.
Continuous gas pressure monitoring enhances early leak detection by
recognizing and interpreting gas line pressure fluctuations. A sudden,
unexplained drop in pressure could be a burst pipe or a gas leak.
Utilizing an AMI supported gas pressure monitoring system will provide
utilities with a constant stream of data to alert them to these
potential issues. Smart pressure monitoring requires a wireless
communications system including sensors that measure pressure at
critical points, software that analyses the pressure status at such
points and calculates responses to achieve a desired pressure, and a
controller device to prompt smart valves whose use can save energy.
Smart gas pressure management will allow utilities to better monitor
and control system gas pressures according to demand. While reducing
potential leaks, it can also reduce operating cost associated with site
visits and ``linepack''.
Advanced leak detection technologies are crucial to curbing methane
emissions from natural gas pipelines and storage fields and decreasing
the risk of major gas leaks and accidents. Take, for example, the Aliso
Canyon methane leak in California, which lasted over four months and
released approximately 97,100 metric tons of methane into the
atmosphere (more than the estimated total annual emissions from the
entire U.S. pipeline infrastructure). Leaks like the one in Aliso
Canyon demonstrate that the magnitude of risk faced by the natural gas
industry is great, and that even more substantial risks exist for
citizens living in the surrounding area and the environment. The key to
reducing methane leakage--and associated environmental, safety, and
economic impacts--from natural gas distribution networks is being able
to locate and close leaks quickly and effectively. While traditional
infrastructure replacements, upgrades, and periodic monitoring
technologies do not allow utilities to do this, innovative technology
is being developed that does.
Some of this new technology is already on the market. For example,
Aclara offers several technology-based solutions and pipeline safety
enhancements for natural gas transmission, storage, and distribution
companies. Aclara's technologies enable continuous remote monitoring
via infrared point sensing with automatic reads and near real-time
alarms, which allow utilities to proactively identify potential issue
areas in their network and significantly reduces the chances of a small
leak and/or disturbance turning into a catastrophic burn hole. The key
to this technology is a focus on early detection, which is the most
essential aspect of effective, proactive risk management and safety
practices. The technology is also very cost-effective, as it can be
easily fitted to existing AMI networks and the data it generates can be
transmitted by existing utility communications networks, thus
eliminating the high operational costs of data communication charges
with cellular modems or other cost intensive communication
technologies.
We urge Congress to encourage increased coordination with industry
and U.S. Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials
Safety Administration on methane leak detection technology--
particularly in regards to deployment--and to support investment in
smart pipeline sensors and controls, internal pipeline inspection and
repair, and composite and advanced material science technologies. We
support the expanded use of gas pressure monitoring, both real time and
hourly, in distribution systems to improve system integrity and safety,
as further deployments of methane detection sensors closer to the
consumer would add to overall safety. We also urge Congress to consider
mandatory use of gas pressure monitoring, both real time and hourly, in
distribution systems to improve system integrity and safety.
We urge you to ensure that FY2022 appropriations, as well as any
potential infrastructure package put together during this congress,
includes funds for the advancement of technologies that will make our
electric, water and natural gas distribution networks smarter, safer,
and more efficient. Again, thank you for providing this opportunity to
submit testimony.
[This statement was submitted by Kumi Premathilake, Senior Vice
President,
Division Vice President, AMI and Services at Hubbell Utility
Solutions.]
______
Prepared Statement of the American Geophysical Union
The American Geophysical Union (AGU), a non-profit, non-partisan
scientific society, appreciates the opportunity to submit testimony
regarding the Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 appropriations request for the
Department of Energy (DOE). AGU, on behalf of its community of 130,000
in the Earth and space sciences, respectfully requests that the 117th
Congress appropriate the following:
--$7.7 billion for DOE Office of Science
--$500 million for DOE Advanced Research Project Agency--Energy
department of energy
AGU requests that Congress appropriate $7.7 billion for DOE's
Office of Science, which represents a 9.6% increase over FY2021
spending levels. Additionally, we request $500 million for DOE's
Advanced Research Project Agency--Energy (ARPA-E), which is in line
with the bipartisan Energy Act of 2020. These funding levels will
ensure that DOE is able to continue its work to preserve U.S.
leadership in scientific discovery by developing new cutting-edge
technology, fostering innovation, and training the nation's future
scientific workforce.
office of science
As the primary funder of basic research in the physical sciences,
DOE's Office of Science is at the forefront of scientific discovery,
innovation, and the shaping of our nation's energy future. The Office
of Science oversees a breadth of programs and technical infrastructure
essential to the nation's economic growth, energy and national
security, future scientific and engineering talent, and the development
of innovative technologies.
The Office of Science is playing a crucial role in our nation's
fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Not only has it previously funded
mRNA research used to develop the vaccine, but it is harnessing its
supercomputing capabilities to advance our understanding of the
coronavirus and its spread and creating and distributing better
personal protective equipment for healthcare workers.
Through competitive grants awarded to national laboratories, more
than 300 universities and colleges, and other organizations in all 50
states and the District of Columbia, the Office of Science fosters
collaboration between sectors that helps contribute to our nation's
strategic priorities.
DOE's Office of Science also supports more than 34,000 researchers-
including Ph.D. scientists, engineers, graduate students,
undergraduates, and technical and support personnel--who
collaboratively work on high-risk, high-reward research projects that
foster cutting-edge energy technologies. The Office of Science provides
essential resources and opportunities, including access to
sophisticated scientific capabilities, beyond those offered by industry
and academic institutions. The Office of Science has also been critical
in the creation of industrial breakthroughs and annually partners with
about fifty Fortune 500 companies as well as small businesses.
In addition, DOE's Office of Science supports exploration of both
the frontiers of science such as quantum science and technology,
artificial intelligence, and genomics and advances energy research such
as solar energy, bioenergy, and batteries that will be the bedrock of
the country's move to clean energy. With a 92% rate of timely
completion of projects within budget, researchers supported by the
Office of Science are making key advances in energy and safeguarding
our nation's security by leading us towards energy independence.
Sustained and robust federal investment in scientific research is
essential if the U.S. hope to remain globally competitive, especially
as other countries like China aggressively increase their investments
in scientific research. Moreover, as our nation recovers from the
pandemic, the opportunities provided by the Office of Science to
students, researchers and businesses are critical to help our country
regain our economic strength and advance our energy security. Overall,
the DOE Office of Science has been proven to be a smart investment now
and for the future.
advanced research project agency-energy
The Advanced Research Project Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) was
established to surmount the barriers posed to high-risk, long-term
energy technology development. In its short ten-year history, ARPA-E
has supported more than 1,000 projects, 177 of which have attracted
over $4.9 billion in private-sector follow-on funding, and 88 of which
have gone on to form new companies. Additionally, ARPA-E is making
significant contributions to advancing U.S. leadership in cutting edge
energy science and technology. ARPA-E projects have submitted more than
4,614 peer-reviewed journal articles and been issued 716 patents by the
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. ARPA-E has also shown itself to be a
responsible steward of taxpayer resources by ceasing funding for
projects that fail to meet milestones.
We are at a moment when other nations, especially China, Korea, and
Russia, are making significant investments into advanced energy
technologies and are poised to seize the economic and geopolitical
advantages afforded by technological supremacy in this field. With
global demand for energy projected to increase by almost 30% by 2040--
combined with the often decade long development cycles for energy
technologies--those nations making commitments to dominate this
economic opportunity today will be the ones to reap the rewards in the
years to come. The U.S. is exceptionally well positioned to capitalize
on key advantages, including the work of cutting-edge agencies such as
ARPA-E, but only if they are adequately funded.
Significantly, the transformative clean energy research and
development funded by ARPA-E is critical to our nation's efforts to
combat climate change. Additionally, ARPA-E 's investment in scaling up
transformative solar, geothermal, battery, biofuels and advanced
surface coating technologies has the potential to drastically alter our
clean energy landscape.
Overall, ARPA-E projects create jobs and innovation, enhance our
national energy security, and boost economic activity in communities
across the country. Continued and stable investment into this
transformative program is necessary to ensure its success and bolster
our nation's science and technology leadership.
[This statement was submitted by Brittany Webster, Program Manager,
Science Policy & Government Relations.]
______
Prepared Statement of the American Indian Higher Education Consortium
request summary
On behalf of the nation's Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs)
that collectively are the American Indian Higher Education Consortium
(AIHEC), we thank you for this opportunity to share our recommendations
regarding the Department of Energy (DOE), National Nuclear Security
Administration's (NNSA) Minority Serving Institutions Partnership
Program (MSIPP).
Department of Energy (DOE): National Nuclear Security
Administration--Minority Serving Institutions' Partnership Program--
Tribal Education Partnership Program (NNSA-MSIPP-TEPP): TCUs urge the
Subcommittee to continue funding for the newly established Tribal
Education Partnership Program, a TCU-specific sub-program within the
NNSA-MSIP, at $5,000,000 for FY2022. With funding from NNSA-MSIPP, the
TCU Advanced Manufacturing Network Initiative (TCU AMNI) was created
with a pilot cohort of five TCUs in collaboration with AIHEC. Since
2015, each of the participating TCUs has established a basic advanced
manufacturing facility that offers training and education programs with
support from NNSA National Laboratory partners. TCUs are uniquely
positioned to catalyze economic transformation in Indian Country,
because they have the capacity to train a specialized workforce and
develop critical research and development partnerships with NNSA
National Laboratories as well as major national companies such as
Boeing Company and Ford Motor Company.
The TCU AMNI program provides an important partnership model for
the Department of Energy and the nation's TCUs. The program creates a
career pipeline for American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) students,
beginning with the development of technical skills required to operate
advanced manufacturing systems, which are coming to dominate the global
manufacturing sector. Students completing technical training at TCUs
are also prepared to pursue engineering programs, which are in demand
at all stages of manufacturing. The TCU AMNI program contributes to the
growth of a well-trained Native workforce: technicians, engineers,
designers, and entrepreneurs. Through this initiative, TCUs are in a
strong position to help tribes develop advanced manufacturing
enterprises, which, in turn, generate significant economic activity and
create high-skilled jobs for their young people. These efforts will
contribute to breaking the cycle of poverty that has plagued tribal
communities for generations.
TCU efforts in advanced manufacturing have direct economic impacts
on tribes and have even proven impactful in the field of public health.
During the current coronavirus pandemic, the Bay Mills Indian Community
Chairman asked Bay Mills Community College (BMCC) to produce personal
protective equipment (PPE) for the tribally operated Bay Mills Health
Center and nearby War Memorial Hospital in the Upper Peninsula of
Michigan. BMCC collaborated with Lake Superior State University and the
local school district to 3-D print face mask headgear using a design
developed by BMCC. BMCC also 3-D printed venturi valves, a component of
medical ventilators, which were also in short supply, for War Memorial
Hospital. BMCC worked with the other four ANMI TCUs to produce 3-D
printed PPEs and other needed medical equipment for their local tribal
health services providers and the Indian Health Service.
MSIPP TCU Report Language Needed for Funding
TCU AMNI represents a model for a partnership between the DOE and
the nation's 37 TCUs that can help address the need for a more diverse
STEM workforce within the NNSA National Laboratory system while
promoting economic growth in Tribal communities. Historically, the
competitive MSIPP grant program lacked distinct support for TCUs and
Tribal communities. In the FY2020 DOE budget, $5 million was explicitly
provided for a separate TCU program; however, a program was not
initially established. Instead, the funds were added to the
competitively awarded MSIPP grant program broadly available to
Historically Black College and Universities and other Minority Serving
Institutions. In conducting the FY2020 MSIPP grant competition, NNSA
did not include provisions specifically for TCUs, nor was an outreach
strategy implemented to solicit TCU grant applications to ensure that
TCUs would receive the $5 million in Congressionally directed funding.
Due to the lack of outreach by NNSA, few TCUs submitted proposals.
After extensive feedback from AIHEC, NNSA released a new TCU-specific
sub-grant program under MSIPP entitled: Tribal Education Partnership
Program. While NNSA eventually took steps to administer Congressionally
directed TCU funding, we respectfully request that report language and
funding be included to ensure continuity in the newly established
Tribal Education Partnership Program.
Success of the TCU Advanced Manufacturing Network Initiative
The TCU AMPI is creating very promising and exciting projects on
five TCU campuses. Below are summaries from the five participating
TCUs.
Navajo Technical University--Crownpoint, NM
The Center for Digital Technology at Navajo Technical University
(NTU) in Crownpoint, NM has established an advanced manufacturing
program with a state-of-the-art facility including metal 3-D printers,
computer numerical control (CNC) machines and high-tech inspection, and
validation instrumentation. Students at NTU are developing knowledge
and skills in design engineering, manufacturing processes, and
performance analysis. The Navajo Nation is making a significant
investment in this program and has recruited major industry partners
for manufacturing contracts resulting in employment for NTU graduates.
This program provides a model for how TCUs and Tribes can join the
global manufacturing supply chain ecosystem, generate significant
economic activity, and train students to join the technology and
engineering workforce.
Bay Mills Community College--Brimley, MI
Bay Mills Community College (BMCC), located in the Upper Peninsula
of Michigan, operates the Great Lakes Composites Institute, a wholly
owned subsidiary of the college that functions as a Tier II/Tier III
manufacturing supplier. It has established a technical leadership
position as a supplier of composite materials and products focusing on
thermoplastic fiber reinforced polymeric innovations and next-
generation thermoplastic fiber-reinforced products. Industry partners
include the Army Tank Research, Development, and Engineering Center
(TARDEC), Ford Motor Company, and the Chrysler Corporation.
Cankdeska Cikana Community College--Fort Totten, ND
Cankdeska Cikana Community College (CCCC), located in rural North
Dakota, has developed an advanced manufacturing certificate program
that builds on an existing engineering program partnership with North
Dakota State University. CCCC is partnering with the University Centers
for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) on the design of environmental
monitoring systems specifically to support local Tribal resource
management requirements.
Salish Kootenai College--Pablo, MT
Salish Kootenai College (SKC) has established an Advanced
Manufacturing Prototyping Lab (AMPL) used for both lab courses and open
hours for students interested in exploring additive manufacturing
projects, following the FabLab model. SKC faculty are implementing an
underwater drone project, similar to that at CCCC, focusing on drones
capable of carrying instrumentation needed to monitor hydrology,
biology, and lake sedimentology of Flathead Lake, the largest
freshwater lake west of the Mississippi River.
Turtle Mountain Community College--Belcourt, ND
Turtle Mountain Community College (TMCC), located 10 miles from the
Canada-U.S. border, is expanding their partnership with North Dakota
State University. The partnership was developed through a collaborative
engineering program in which students complete their first two years of
engineering at TMCC and continue on to complete their degree at NDSU.
The engineering program integrates the college's advanced manufacturing
program, providing students the opportunity to carry out engineering
design projects and research using the college's advanced manufacturing
facility.
conclusion
Struggling economies are endemic in Indian Country. We ask that
Congress join us in bringing Tribal nations into the evolving global
manufacturing community; transforming Tribal economies while addressing
national energy technology challenges. TCUs provide quality higher
education opportunities to thousands of AI/ANs and other rural
residents, as well as essential community programs and services to
those who might otherwise not have access to such possibilities. The
modest federal investment in TCUs have paid great dividends in terms of
employment, education, and economic development. We greatly appreciate
your previous and your continued support of the nation's Tribal
Colleges and Universities and your careful consideration of our FY2022
appropriations requests.
______
Prepared Statement of the American Society for Microbiology
The Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science is a leader in
advancing critical industries of the future, including quantum
information science, artificial intelligence, high performance
computing, advanced communications networks, future energy
technologies, and engineering biology. As we rise to meet the
challenges of the 21st Century, microbial science funded by the
DOE Office of Science remains vitally important. ASM urges Congress
to fund the DOE Office of Science at $7.7 billion in fiscal year (FY)
2022, an increase of 9.6% over FY2021. ASM also encourages Congress to
continue to fully fund the Bioenergy Research Centers at $100 million,
and the National Microbiome Database Collaborative (NMDC) at $10
million in FY2022.
The American Society for Microbiology (ASM) appreciates the
opportunity to submit outside witness testimony for the Fiscal Year
2022 Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies appropriations
bill in support of increased funding for the Department of Energy
Office of Science. The American Society for Microbiology (ASM) is one
of the largest professional societies dedicated to the life sciences
and is composed of 30,000 scientists and health practitioners. ASM's
mission is to promote and advance the microbial sciences.
Funding from the DOE Office of Science through the National
Laboratories, universities, and other programs has generated some of
our most economically important innovations and is the primary driver
of basic research in the physical sciences, as well as critical areas
of genome scale, quantitative analysis of microbial research. This
support has enabled researchers to use microbes to solve energy and
environmental problems, and to bring those solutions to scale by
developing empirical, computational, and mechanistic modeling tools.
Office of Science funding led to the creation of the Bioenergy Research
Centers, which support research into viable and sustainable domestic
biofuel and bioproducts industries. Each of the four Centers is led by
a DOE national laboratory or university, and each take an innovative
approach to improving and scaling up advanced biofuel and bioproduct
production processes. Recent investments in the National Microbiome
Data Collaborative, an open-source database, will lead to more
effective analysis of microbiome data and better coordination of
multidisciplinary microbiome research across the federal government. In
addition, DOE National Laboratories were effectively deployed in the
fight against COVID-19, using their supercomputing and modeling
capabilities to both understand components of the virus and to find
drug compounds to treat it.
microbial research is needed to face 21st century challenges
Our society faces several large, complex, and interconnected
challenges, many of which can be addressed through microbial research.
Inexpensive renewable sources of energy, fuels, and chemicals are
essential for continued economic growth, but the environmental
tradeoffs of increased energy production must also be considered.
Microbial science funded by DOE Office of Science can lead the way in
developing sustainable strategies to feed an ever-growing population by
increasing plant and agricultural productivity and quality; by
providing strategies to ensure that future US citizens enjoy clean air,
water, and a high standard of living; in transforming human health by
providing everything from new pharmaceuticals, reagents for precision
medicine, and next generation antibiotics; and by producing cost-
competitive fuels, chemicals, and materials from abundant renewable
resources. These and other advances in decarbonization, the production
of biomaterials or bio-based polymers, and others based on new
microbial catalysts will only happen with strong, stable investments in
the Office of Science.
Discoveries in targeted areas such as quantum science and
technology, genomics, microelectronics, and machine learning have
potential far-reaching impacts that spawn the creation of new
industries. For example, DOE has also taken the lead on bio-based
energy, fuel and chemicals innovation. The Office of Science currently
funds four Bioenergy Research Centers (BRC), which support research
into viable and sustainable domestic biofuel and bioproducts
industries. These four Centers are developing viable and sustainable
domestic biofuels and bioproducts derived from non-food plant biomass,
such as poplar, switchgrass, and sorghum. This research will lead to
lower greenhouse gas emissions, bring jobs to rural areas, and boost
our energy security, and we strongly encourage Congress to continue
fully funding the BRCs at $100 million in FY2022.
doe-funded microbiome research spawns innovation
In its stewardship of innovation at DOE's National Laboratories,
universities, and other programs, the Office of Science is a critical
partner in advancing areas of national need, supporting research in key
emerging areas including artificial intelligence and microbiome
research. Thousands of projects funded by NIH and NSF utilize DOE
facilities each year, and more than fifty Fortune 500 companies and
many small businesses use these facilities to conduct the underlying
research required to develop new technologies and products that drive
the economy, including the growing bioeconomy.
Microbiome science aims to advance understanding of microbial
communities (microbiomes) for applications in areas such as health
care, food production, and environmental restoration to benefit
individuals, communities, and the environment. Understanding of the
microbiome has evolved significantly since the concept of the human
microbiome emerged roughly two decades ago. Today it is understood that
microbial communities exist on, in, and around people, plants, animals,
soil, oceans, and the atmosphere, making the microbiome relevant to all
living things. The rapid pace of discovery has led to greater
technology needs and data sharing infrastructure.
The Interagency Strategic Plan for Microbiome Research, FY2018-
2022, developed by the Microbiome Interagency Working Group (MIWG),
provides recommendations for improving coordination of microbiome
research among Federal agencies and between agencies and nonFederal
domestic and international microbiome research efforts. The five-year
Strategic Plan coordinates microbiome research activities across 21
government agencies, describing the interagency objectives, structure
and operating principles, and research focus areas and provided three
recommended areas to transform microbiome discoveries to solutions:
1. Supporting interdisciplinary and collaborative research to
enable a predictive understanding of the function of microbiomes in
diverse ecosystems to enhance public health, food, and environmental
security and grow new bioeconomy product areas.
2. Developing platform technologies to generate critical insights
and to improve access to and sharing of microbiome data across
ecosystems.
3. Expanding the microbiome workforce through educational
opportunities, citizen science, and public engagement.
Recent advances in DNA sequencing technologies have increased our
awareness of the complexity and diversity in networks of
microorganisms. Yet there remains much to discover regarding how
microbiomes function as communities, interact with their hosts and
environment, and how they can be leveraged to improve health and
ecosystems. As noted in the Interagency
Strategic Plan for Microbiome Research, microbiome data is ``Big
Data'', which requires consistent and reliable database and resource
coordination to facilitate data collection, analysis, interoperability,
and data sharing. The NMDC is aimed at empowering this type of
microbiome research. Spearheaded by Lawrence Berkeley National
Laboratory, in partnership with Los Alamos, Oak Ridge, and Pacific
Northwest national laboratories, the NMDC is leveraging DOE's existing
data-science resources and high-performance computing systems to
develop a framework that facilitates more efficient use of microbiome
data for applications in energy, environment, health, and agriculture.
In support of these ongoing efforts, ASM requests continued funding of
$10 million for the National Microbiome Database Collaborative (NMDC)
for FY2022.
Our nation's ability to make significant advances in solving energy
and environmental problems depends on advances in the microbial
sciences. This will only be possible if Congress continues its
commitment to robust and sustained funding increases for the Department
of Energy's Office of Science.
[This statement was submitted by Allen Segal, Director of Public
Policy and
Advocacy, American Society for Microbiology.]
______
Prepared Statement of the American Society of Plant Biologists
On behalf of the American Society of Plant Biologists (ASPB), we
submit this written testimony to support $7.7 billion for the
Department of Energy's (DOE) Office of Science in fiscal year (FY)
2022. Within this amount, ASPB supports proportional increases in
funding for the Office of Basic Energy Sciences and the Office of
Biological and Environmental Research. ASPB also supports at least $500
million for the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) in FY
2022. ARPA-E has proven to be an innovative and valuable program that
advances high-impact energy technologies, including biotechnology,
imaging, carbon capture, and sustainable crop systems that are
important to the plant science community and to the nation.
The following testimony highlights the importance of biology-
particularly plant biology, which is a necessary backbone of efforts to
enhance bioenergy production-as the nation seeks to address energy
security and other vital issues. We thank the Subcommittee for its
consideration of this testimony and for its support for the basic
research mission of the DOE Office of Science. ASPB recognizes the
difficult fiscal environment our nation faces but believes investments
in scientific research will be a critical step toward economic
recovery.
ASPB, founded in 1924 as the American Society of Plant
Physiologists, was established to promote the growth and development of
plant biology, to encourage and publish research in plant biology, and
to promote the interests and professional advancement of plant
scientists in general. ASPB members educate, mentor, advise, and
nurture future generations of plant biologists; they work to increase
understanding of plant biology, as well as science in general, in K-16
schools and among the general public; they advocate in support of plant
biology research; they work to convey the relevance and importance of
plant biology; and they provide expertise in policy decisions world-
wide. Overall, ASPB members, as representatives of the society, work to
disseminate information and excitement about plant sciences, especially
through ASPB's advocacy, outreach activities, conferences, and
publications.
fuel, food, environment, and health: plant biology research and
america's future
Plants are vital to our very existence. They harvest sunlight,
converting it to chemical energy for food and feed; they take up carbon
dioxide and produce oxygen; and they are essential to life on Earth.
Indeed, plant biology research is making many fundamental contributions
in the areas of domestic fuel security and environmental stewardship;
the continued and sustainable development of better fuels, foods,
fabrics, pharmaceuticals, and building materials; and in the
understanding of basic biological principles that underpin improvements
in plant growth and home-grown energy sources for all Americans.
In particular, plant biology is at the center of numerous
scientific breakthroughs in the increasingly interdisciplinary world of
alternative energy research. For example, researchers at National
Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) just published research that
demonstrates the ability to convert wet waste carbon (food waste
derived from fatty acids) to sustainable aviation fuels-highlighting
the potential to simultaneously and synergistically address aviation
needs and environmental challenges. Similarly, with the increase in
plant genome sequencing and functional genomics, the interface of plant
biology and computer science has become essential to our understanding
of complex biological systems, ranging from single cells to entire
ecosystems. This research is critical for our future bioenergy
production.
Despite the fact that foundational and mission-oriented plant
biology research-the kind of research DOE funds-underpins vital
advances in practical applications in energy, health, and the
environment, plant scientists have had to maximize and leverage modest
federal funding to understand the basic function and mechanisms of
plants. Sustained strong investments in plant biology research are
important considering the significant positive impact crop plants have
on the nation's economy and in addressing some of our most urgent
challenges, like energy and food security. For example, continued basic
and applied research in fields like synthetic biology will enable the
creation and production of more energy dense, carbon neutral fuels and
expand the production of energy-efficient biomass.\1\
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Nearly 10 years ago, ASPB organized a two-phase Plant Science
Research Summit with support and funding from DOE, the National Science
Foundation, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Howard Hughes
Medical Institute. The Summit brought together representatives from
across the full spectrum of plant science research to develop a
research agenda and resulted in a report-Unleashing a Decade of
Innovation in Plant Science: A Vision for 2015-2025.\2\ This vision has
helped guide our community towards significant gains in foundational
and applied plant science. Importantly, novel crop varieties and
precision agriculture technologies are producing more food per acre
with less exogenous inputs. However, as climate change continues to
threaten our agriculture systems, the work of the plant science
research community is more pressing than ever. Additional significant
progress is possible, but will require a bold commitment of resources
from the federal government. As a research community, our continued
vision is to create plant systems that are flexible and adaptable to
both new and existing challenges by increasing the predictive and
synthetic abilities of plant biology. In achieving these goals, the
plant science research community will make significant contributions
to:
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plantsciencedecadalvision10-18-13.pdf.
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--Exploring, conserving, and utilizing our natural resources;
--Protecting, maintaining, and improving energy crop productivity;
--Creating new plant-inspired bioproducts, companies, and industries;
and
--Reducing the environmental impact and energy footprint of
agriculture.
securing the plant science talent pipeline
As discussed above, many of the challenges that come with our
changing world must be addressed specifically by plant scientists. A
significant--but sustainable--increase in crop productivity will be
needed to match the demand for food expected from the rate of
population growth. At the same time, climate change will present new
trials for crops and other plant ecosystems. These challenges will
require efforts to increase productivity beyond current practices,
including improvement in crop water use efficiency and enhanced crop
photosynthesis efficiency and performance, to name just a few
approaches. More knowledge and innovation will be needed to replace
chemicals from non-renewable sources (from fuels to biomedical
applications) with plant-derived metabolites. These types of
innovations will require contributions from basic and applied plant
science fields and collaboration with other sciences, computation, and
engineering.
To tackle these challenges, a strong and diverse community of plant
scientists, with increased involvement from women and marginalized
scientists, will be needed. However, the current training pipeline does
not appear prepared to ensure the availability of this workforce.
Overall, the number of Ph.D. degrees awarded in the US in biomedical
sciences in the last two decades has increased at an unsustainable
rate, even triggering warnings from members of the National Academy of
Sciences; however, this trend has not been paralleled by increases in
plant-related Ph.D. degrees. In fact, plant science doctoral degrees,
both basic and agronomy-related, have remained stagnant during this
time period. Clearly, a strong investment in plant science research,
both basic and applied, renewed efforts to transform public perceptions
of plant biology and plant biologists, and a push to increase the
number of students entering the pipeline leading to plant science
degrees are necessary to change these trends. Developing the workforce
that will contribute the solutions to future challenges is urgent.
With this need in mind, ASPB applauds the awards DOE has made in
training the next generation of scientists. Most recently, DOE has
invested $20 million at the Oak Ridge Institute with the goal of
training 150 Ph.D.s in energy related fields in the next five years.
More investments like this, including outreach to women and individuals
in marginalized groups, is vital for the US to maintain its energy
leadership.
doe recommendations
Because the ASPB membership has extensive expertise and
participation in the academic, industry, and government research
sectors, ASPB is in an excellent position to articulate the nation's
plant science priorities as they relate to fundamental plant biology
and, specifically, with regard to recommendations for bioenergy
research funding through DOE's Office of Science.
Within the Office of Science, the programs in Biological and
Environmental Research (BER) and Basic Energy Sciences (BES) are
crucial to understanding how basic biological processes operate.
Sustained funding for these programs is vital, because the discoveries
made in these areas will ultimately be the foundation for the next
fuels and technologies we use in our daily lives.
Support from ARPA-E is critical to advancing plant synthetic
biology technologies, and ASPB implores the committee to include
sustained, targeted funding for synthetic biology research in the
program.
In addition:
--We commend the DOE Office of Science, through its programs in BES
and BER, for having funded the Bioenergy Research Centers and
the Energy Frontier Research Centers. These centers provide a
model for collective science innovation that complements DOE's
essential investment in individual investigator and small group
science. ASPB strongly encourages additional funding for the
DOE Office of Science that would specifically target funding at
individual and small-group grants for bioenergy and plant
growth research.
--Considerable research interest is now focused on the processing of
plant biomass for energy production. Fundamental discoveries of
the genes that control plant growth and enable plant growth in
response to stresses, including drought, are needed to secure
our energy future. If biomass crops, including woody plants,
are to be used to their full potential, extensive effort must
be expended to improve our understanding of their basic biology
and development, as well as their agronomic performance and
conversion efficiency in processing to fuels and high-value co-
products. Therefore, ASPB calls for DOE to support research
targeted at efforts to increase the utility and agronomic
performance of bioenergy feedstocks, both in the field and for
their end users in the bioeconomy.
Thank you for your consideration of our testimony on behalf of the
American Society of Plant Biologists. For more information about the
American Society of Plant Biologists, please see www.aspb.org.
______
Prepared Statement of the Assiniboine and Sioux Rural Water Supply
System and Dry Prairie Rural Water System
fiscal year 2022 budget request
The Assiniboine and Sioux Rural Water Supply System and Dry Prairie
Rural Water System respectfully request FY 2022 appropriations of
$17.760 million, part of the Bureau of Reclamation Rural Water Program
(Table 1).
The FY 2022 federal funding request is $7.021 million for the
Assiniboine and Sioux Rural Water Supply System (ASRWSS) and $10.739
million for the Dry Prairie Rural Water System (DPRWS) to fully
complete project construction. The combined request leaves a projected
appropriation of $548,000 in FY 2023 to account for final indexing and
any adjustments for non-federal cost shares or other.
The project expresses the greatest appreciation to the Chairman and
Subcommittee for its unwavering support during the construction of this
vital infrastructure in a vast area of Montana.
FY 2022 funds will be used to construct all remaining important
elements of the Fort Peck Reservation Rural Water System, Montana, (PL
106-382, October 27, 2000). The request is within the capability to
spend funds in FY 2022. Design, cultural resource surveys, wetland
surveys, and easements related to all proposed project features will be
completed by the ASRWSS and Dry Prairie and approved by Reclamation in
advance of the use of FY 2022 funds. Those activities are already
underway on most FY 2022 projects.
project status and funding needs
As shown in Table 2, the overall project will be 94% complete at
the end of FY 2021. ASRWSS will be 97% complete, and DPRWS will be 89%
complete. ASRWSS has built the regional intake, water treatment plant
and all main transmission interconnections that serve both ASRWSS and
Dry Prairie.
Construction funds remaining to be spent after FY 2021 total
$17.759 million within the current authorization, including a projected
federal overrun on Dry Prairie of $4.285 million (in October 2020
dollars). FY 2022 appropriations at the level requested will leave a
projected need for $548,000 in FY 2023 to adjust for inflation at the
rate experienced over the last 5 years (3.72%), for final adjustment of
non-federal cost shares and for other adjustments necessary to complete
the project.
The ASRWSS project features to complete its Reservation portion of
project are currently under budget by $726,000. The ASRWSS portion of
the project can be completed if appropriations cited above are
available in FY 2022. The funds currently under budget will be spent on
beneficial and federally approvable projects within the authorized
construction ceiling.
Congress has authorized three amendments of PL 106-382 to extend
the project completion most recently to December 31, 2026. The project
funding will be completed in FY 2022 unless there are significant
reductions in appropriations for the rural water program in FY 2022.
project history
The project has reached 94% completion over a period of 20 years
(averaging about 4.7% completion annually). Continued Congressional
support is needed for the Reclamation Rural Water Program to complete
our currently authorized project funding in FY 2022. Fixed annual
overhead costs have reduced funding that can be allocation to
construction of project features because the project was required to
build over twice the number of years anticipated at authorization.
Despite the additional overhead costs, the project will be completed
within budget, subject to a current federal project cost overrun on Dry
Prairie of $4.285 million that resulted unexpectedly due to lower
indexing in FY 2020 due to the COVID 19 pandemic. The expected indexing
based on historic trends was not enough to cover actual increases in
unit prices for construction. Dry Prairie is working with Reclamation
to reduce the overrun.
ASRWSS and DPRWS have worked extremely well and closely with the
Bureau of Reclamation since the authorization of the project in FY
2000. The Commissioner, Regional, and Area Offices of the Bureau of
Reclamation have been consistently in agreement with the need, scope,
total costs, and the ability to pay analysis that supported the federal
and non-federal cost shares. There have been no areas of disagreement
or controversy in the formulation or implementation of the project.
______
Prepared Statement of Aurora Water
I am requesting your support for appropriations in the President's
recommended budget for FY 2022 to the Bureau of Reclamation, Upper
Colorado Region for the Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery
Program and the San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program.
The budget items and amounts requested in the President's budget for
these programs are described below.
Endangered Species Programs: The Endangered Species Program also
provides $5.7 million for the Upper Colorado and San Juan River
Endangered Fish Recovery programs for construction of facilities need
to recover endangered fish species: $2,500,000 for construction of a
fish barrier at the Farmer's Mutual Ditch diversion structure on the
San Juan River in northwest New Mexico, $500,000 for floodplain habitat
development in northwest New Mexico on the San Juan River, $2,550,000
for rehabilitation of the fish screen and passage at the Grand Valley
Irrigation Company diversion on the Colorado River near Grand Junction
Colorado, and $150,000 for Upper Colorado Program Management for
contracting, budgeting, reporting, contract administration, tracking
expenditures, and addressing issues and concerns associated with
capital project construction.
Colorado River Compliance Activities: The President's budget
requests $21,400,000 for Colorado River Compliance Activities that
includes:
--$8,640,000 for the Upper Colorado and San Juan Endangered Fish
Recovery Programs to restore critical habitat, enhance stream
flows, maintain fish ladders and screens, augment and
conservation of genetic integrity through hatcheries and
stocking efforts, manage non-native and sport fish, and
research and monitoring to provide the scientific basis to
guide decision making.
--$11,360,000 for the Glen Canyon Adaptive Management Program for
scientific investigations, experimentation using Glen Canyon
Dam releases and other tasks required to increase understanding
of how to operate Glen Canyon Dam to meet statutory
requirements, and experimental flow research.
--$1,400,000 for water quality and consumptive use studies to provide
data required to meet legal agreements that regulate the flow
and quality of the river and support consumptive use studies of
water for municipal, industrial, agricultural uses.
This funding for the recovery programs is authorized by P.L. 106-
392, as amended.
These highly successful, cooperative programs are ongoing
partnerships among the states of New Mexico, Colorado, Utah and
Wyoming, Indian tribes, federal agencies and water, power and
environmental interests. The programs' objectives are to recover
endangered fish species while water use and development proceeds in
compliance with the Endangered Species Act. The programs provide ESA
compliance for approximately 2,500 water projects in the Upper Colorado
River Basin, including every Reclamation project upstream of Lake
Powell.
I appreciate the Subcommittee's past support and request the
Subcommittee's assistance for fiscal year 2022 funding to ensure the
Bureau of Reclamation's continuing financial participation in and
provision of federal cost sharing for these vitally important programs.
Sincerely.
[This statement was submitted by Marshall Brown, General Manager,
Aurora Water.]
______
Prepared Statement of Aurora Water
I am requesting your support for appropriations in the President's
recommended budget for FY 2022 to the Bureau of Reclamation, Upper
Colorado Region for the Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery
Program and the San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program.
The budget items and amounts requested in the President's budget for
these programs are described below.
Endangered Species Programs: The Endangered Species Program also
provides $5.7 million for the Upper Colorado and San Juan River
Endangered Fish Recovery programs for construction of facilities need
to recover endangered fish species: $2,500,000 for construction of a
fish barrier at the Farmer's Mutual Ditch diversion structure on the
San Juan River in northwest New Mexico, $500,000 for floodplain habitat
development in northwest New Mexico on the San Juan River, $2,550,000
for rehabilitation of the fish screen and passage at the Grand Valley
Irrigation Company diversion on the Colorado River near Grand Junction
Colorado, and $150,000 for Upper Colorado Program Management for
contracting, budgeting, reporting, contract administration, tracking
expenditures, and addressing issues and concerns associated with
capital project construction.
Colorado River Compliance Activities: The President's budget
requests $21,400,000 for Colorado River Compliance Activities that
includes
--$8,640,000 for the Upper Colorado and San Juan Endangered Fish
Recovery Programs to restore critical habitat, enhance stream
flows, maintain fish ladders and screens, augment and
conservation of genetic integrity through hatcheries and
stocking efforts, manage non-native and sport fish, and
research and monitoring to provide the scientific basis to
guide decision making.
--$11,360,000 for the Glen Canyon Adaptive Management Program for
scientific investigations, experimentation using Glen Canyon
Dam releases and other tasks required to increase understanding
of how to operate Glen Canyon Dam to meet statutory
requirements, and experimental flow research.
--$1,400,000 for water quality and consumptive use studies to provide
data required to meet legal agreements that regulate the flow
and quality of the river and support consumptive use studies of
water for municipal, industrial, agricultural uses.
This funding for the recovery programs is authorized by P.L. 106-
392, as amended.
These highly successful, cooperative programs are ongoing
partnerships among the states of New Mexico, Colorado, Utah and
Wyoming, Indian tribes, federal agencies and water, power and
environmental interests. The programs' objectives are to recover
endangered fish species while water use and development proceeds in
compliance with the Endangered Species Act. The programs provide ESA
compliance for approximately 2,500 water projects in the Upper Colorado
River Basin, including every Reclamation project upstream of Lake
Powell.
I appreciate the Subcommittee's past support and request the
Subcommittee's assistance for fiscal year 2022 funding to ensure the
Bureau of Reclamation's continuing financial participation in and
provision of federal cost sharing for these vitally important programs.
Sincerely.
[This statement was submitted by Marshall Brown, General Manager,
Aurora Water.]
______
Prepared Statement of the Building Performance Association,
E4TheFuture, and the Building Performance Institute
As leaders in the residential energy efficiency industry, the
Building Performance Association, E4TheFuture, and the Building
Performance Institute respectfully urge your support, through the
Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 Energy and Water Development Appropriations bill,
to provide robust funding to advance programs at the Department of
Energy (DOE) that invest in residential energy efficiency and whole-
house initiatives. The President's FY 2022 budget request makes
significant investments in the Weatherization Assistance Program, State
Energy Program, and Building Technologies Office. For the many reasons
detailed below, we urge Congress to continue support for these programs
and work to ensure that sub accounts within the DOE Office of Energy
Efficiency and Renewable Energy are robustly funded so that their
important work may continue and expand. On behalf of our stakeholders
and members, we thank you for this opportunity to express our support
for these important programs and initiatives that pay for themselves
many times over and are a wise and modest investment that help
Americans save money, improve energy security, and live and work in
safe and comfortable buildings.
The Building Performance Association (BPA) is a membership-driven
501(c)6 industry association dedicated to advancing the home and
building performance industry by delivering improved energy efficiency,
health, safety, and environmental performance of buildings through our
key stakeholders. With over 9,500 member companies operating in every
state, BPA supports home performance contractors, weatherization
agencies and training centers, product manufacturers and distributors,
program sponsors and implementers, building scientists, and non-profits
focused on residential and commercial energy efficiency.
E4TheFuture is non-profit 501c(3) organization which collaborates
with industry stakeholders to provide expert policy solutions,
education, and advocacy to advance residential clean energy and energy
efficiency solutions on the federal, state and local level.
The Building Performance Institute (BPI) is the nation's premier
building performance credentialing, quality assurance, and standards
setting organization. Approved by the American National Standards
Institute, Inc. (ANSI) as an accredited developer of American National
Standards and as a certifying body for personnel credentials, BPI
develops technical standards and professional certifications that help
raise the bar in home performance contracting.
BPA, E4TheFuture, and BPI offer their strong support for DOE's
residential efficiency programs and initiatives, as they are critical
to the continued growth of the energy efficiency industry across the
country. Public programs that support the energy efficiency industry
are vital as it continues to develop and, as evidenced by a grassroots
letter from U.S. taxpayers \1\ to House and Senate Energy and Water
Appropriations subcommittee leadership, there is tremendous public
support for these programs. The grassroots letter includes signatures
from over 1,160 U.S. taxpayers from 48 states plus the District of
Columbia.
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\1\ https://e4thefuture.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/FY22-
Appropriations-Sign-On.pdf.
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Energy efficiency equals jobs--it is the largest employer and
fastest growing sector in the energy industry. The 2020 ``Energy
Efficiency Jobs in America'' \2\ report from E4TheFuture found that the
energy efficiency industry employs nearly 2.4 million Americans and,
prior to the pandemic, was adding more jobs than any other energy
sector. Through 2019, the energy efficiency industry featured twice as
many workers as the entire U.S. fossil fuel industry and led the
nation's energy economy in new job creation. The industry was expected
to see another 3% growth in 2020. Instead, over 18% of the energy
efficiency workforce (430,000 workers) lost their jobs in the initial
months of the COVID-19 pandemic.\3\ While other sectors experienced
robust recoveries in the second half of 2020, energy efficiency did
not: In December 2020, over half of energy efficiency workers laid off
in the spring (230,000) were still out of work. A significant portion
of the energy efficiency jobs in the U.S. are in the residential
sector, and approximately 56 percent of energy efficiency jobs involve
construction and repairs. These are the contractors--the ``boots on the
ground''--installing energy efficiency products and technologies and
working to reduce energy waste in homes and buildings across the
country. These local, family-sustaining jobs exist all across the
country. In fact, 99.9% of U.S. counties have energy efficiency jobs
and nearly 400,000 of these jobs are in rural areas.\4\ Residential
energy efficiency jobs were hit particularly hard by the pandemic and
statewide lockdown orders. Supporting these jobs as part of our
nation's recovery will be critical.
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\2\ https://e4thefuture.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/
EE_Jobs_America_2020.pdf.
\3\ https://e2.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Clean-Energy-Jobs-
December-COVID-19-Memo-Final-Revised.pdf.
\4\ https://e2.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/E2-2021-Clean-Jobs-
America-Report-04-19-2021.pdf.
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Dollar for dollar, investments in energy efficiency create more
jobs than investment in the utility sector or fossil-fuels,\5\ and
investments in DOE programs that support energy efficiency--like the
Building Technologies Office, Weatherization Assistance Program, and
State Energy Program--lead to job creation and economic growth. For
example, investment in weatherization creates direct jobs in sales and
installation and indirect jobs in equipment manufacturing and
distribution.
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\5\ ACEEE. N.d. Energy Efficiency and Economic Opportunity.
Retrieved from http://aceee.org/files/pdf/fact-sheet/ee-economic-
opportunity.pdf.
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In addition to economic and jobs benefits, residential energy
efficiency also plays a key role in public health. A DOE report on the
Weatherization Assistance Program \6\ found that home improvements
focused on energy efficiency can improve indoor air quality, which
reduces respiratory illness and sick days, and improves mental
alertness and productivity for both children and adults. Two additional
reports from 2016--E4TheFuture's ``Occupant Health Benefits of
Residential Energy Efficiency'' \7\ and the U.S. Department of Energy's
``HomeRx: The Health Benefits of Home Performance'' \8\--also found
that residential energy efficiency upgrades can help to address asthma
triggers and other chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD),
leading to reduced healthcare costs. Under the pandemic, these health
co-benefits from residential energy efficiency have grown even more
vital.
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\6\ https://energy.gov/eere/wipo/downloads/weatherization-
assistance-program-national-evaluation.
\7\ https://e4thefuture.org/occupant-health-benefits-of-
residential-energy-efficiency/.
\8\ https://energy.gov/eere/buildings/downloads/home-rx-health-
benefits-home-performance-review-current-evidence.
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Promoting building efficiency is also vital to achieving carbon
reduction goals. Buildings are responsible for 31% of all U.S.
greenhouse gas emissions,\9\ and are therefore critical to any
emissions reduction strategy. A recent report from ACEEE found that
energy efficiency alone can cut energy use and U.S. greenhouse gas
emissions in half by 2050, and buildings deliver 33% of the total
emissions reductions in the report's model.\10\ The residential
buildings sector in particular remains largely untapped. Residential
buildings account for 21% of total U.S. energy consumption,\11\ use
more electricity than any other sector,\12\ and are the largest
contributor to peak demand.\13\ Addressing this sector is essential
from a carbon emissions reduction standpoint.
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\9\ Total combined emissions from the residential and commercial
sectors with electricity-related emissions distributed. https://
www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2019-04/documents/us-ghg-inventory-
2019-main-text.pdf.
\10\ https://aceee.org/sites/default/files/publications/
researchreports/u1907.pdf.
\11\ https://www.eia.gov/totalenergy/data/monthly/pdf/mer.pdf.
\12\ https://www.eia.gov/electricity/annual/html/epa_01_02.html.
\13\ https://www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2019/04/f61/bto-
geb_overview-4.15.19.pdf.
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The below programs at the Department of Energy deserve the support
of the American taxpayer as these programs are proven to provide a
significant return on investment. When funded they will continue to
provide energy cost relief to households, support American-based
industry and American jobs, ameliorate issues with the aging electrical
grid, and support national security goals. We also urge additional
funding either through regular appropriations or supplemental funding
in the event an energy/infrastructure package is considered. In the
event that opportunity presents itself, we would urge:
1. Title VI of the House-passed, FY21 House Energy and Water
Development Appropriations Bill as a starting point to fund the State
Energy Program (SEP) ($730 million--$3.8 billion if adjusted for
inflation from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act [ARRA]) (for
base, formula funds), Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) ($3.25
billion--$6.2 billion if adjusted for inflation from ARRA) ; and
2. the HOPE for HOMES program to advance workforce training and
residential retrofit rebates supported by the President's Budget
Request ($2 billion in FY22).
regular fy22 appropriations requests
$80 M for Residential Buildings Integration program within the
Building Technologies Office (BTO), which has the capacity to
fundamentally transform the performance of homes and greatly improve
the energy efficiency in the 115 million existing residential buildings
throughout this country. As mentioned above, residential buildings
account for 21% of total U.S. energy consumption, use more electricity
than any other sector, and are therefore an essential (albeit often
overlooked) part of the carbon reduction equation. RBI can
significantly improve the energy efficiency in the residential sector
through its partnerships with the thousands of small businesses in this
sector, the construction trades, equipment, smart grid technology and
systems suppliers, integrators and state and local governments. To
date, approximately 950,000 energy efficiency improvement projects have
been completed on existing homes through the Home Performance with
ENERGY STAR program. We recommend that this program receive a line item
in the budget for at least $80 million and that the funding be focused
on facilitating later-stage research, demonstration, and widespread
deployment of technology solutions in new and existing homes, with an
emphasis on whole-house energy efficiency retrofits (including
outreach, engagement and training to private sector contractors) and
continuing efforts to advance grid-interactive residential buildings
and smart home technology. We encourage the direct engagement with
residential contractors and businesses, which are crucial to the
success of buildings programs. The President's FY22 budget supports
increasing funding for this program to $72 million, but we respectfully
urge Congress to fund Residential Buildings Integration at no less than
$80 million.
$90 M for State Energy Program (SEP). We urge the Committee to
provide funding of at least $90 million for SEP, which provides funding
and technical assistance to states, territories, and the District of
Columbia to enhance energy security, advance state-led energy
initiatives, and maximize the benefits of decreasing energy waste. The
President's FY22 budget supports increasing funding for this program,
but we request that at least $90M of funding be used for direct formula
grants to the states. Over the past 30 years, SEP has proven to be the
critical link in helping states improve efficiency in hospitals and
schools, establish business incubators and job training programs, and
establish relationships with energy service companies and small
businesses to implement cost-effective energy efficiency programs
across their state. The Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) found that
every dollar invested in SEP by the federal government yields over $10
leveraged for energy-related economic development and realizes $7.22 in
energy cost savings for U.S. citizens and businesses--a tremendous
economic value. SEP provides extraordinary value and flexibility, which
is why governors across the country strongly support continued funding.
It is important to note that SEP defers to the governors all decisions
on allocating resources provided by DOE to meet their states'
priorities such as energy emergency planning and response and energy
related economic development.
$360 M for Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP). We ask the
Committee to provide funding of at least $360 million for WAP, which
helps low-income and rural families, seniors, and individuals with
disabilities make lasting energy efficiency improvements to their
homes. WAP has a proven track record of creating new jobs and
contributing to the economy through the program's large supply chain of
vendors, suppliers, and manufacturers. Since 1976, WAP has helped make
more than 8 million homes more efficient, saving the average recipient
about $4,200 over the lifetime of their home. A peer-reviewed study
from ORNL found that the program is cost-effective at even conservative
levels of evaluation. Each dollar that goes toward weatherization
assistance yields at least $2.30 in benefits, and by some estimates as
much as $4.10 to the home and society. The President's FY22 budget
request proposes a significant increase to WAP, funding the program at
$390M. We respectfully ask the Committee to continue support for the
program in Fiscal Year 2022 in order to assist America's low- and
moderate-income citizens.
Aside from the very important programs noted above, BPA,
E4TheFuture, and BPI would like to request the Committee support the
U.S. Energy and Employment Report (USEER) within the Department of
Energy. The annual USEER is an invaluable resource for both employers
and policymakers and, in this moment of economic turmoil, supporting
the report is particularly critical. Funding from DOE makes USEER
possible every year. Without future reports, the economic fallout from
the pandemic and its impacts on the energy sector nationwide will not
be fully recorded, depriving decisionmakers of crucial employment
information.
In addition, we respectfully ask the Committee to support existing
training programs that fund clean energy and energy efficiency jobs
within the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE).
These EERE workforce development programs assist and support workers in
trades and activities required for the continued growth of the U.S.
energy efficiency and clean energy sectors. Seismic shifts in the
energy workforce caused by COVID-19 have underlined the continuing need
for these programs. We urge the Committee to support the USEER, funded
at $2 million in FY22, as well as these workforce development programs
within EERE.
In conclusion, BPA, E4TheFuture, and BPI offer their strong support
for DOE's residential efficiency programs and initiatives, as they are
critical to the continued advancement of the energy efficiency
industry, which contributes to the country's overall economic growth,
energy independence, and international competitiveness, and also
represents a significant and largely untapped resource for carbon
reduction. Public programs that support the energy efficiency industry
are vital as it continues to develop and there is tremendous public
support for these programs. The very small investments in the programs
discussed above pay for themselves many times over and are a wise and
modest investment that help Americans save money, improve energy
security, and live and work in safe and comfortable buildings. Again,
thank you for providing this opportunity to submit testimony. We look
forward to working with you.
[This statement was submitted by Steve Skodak, President & CEO,
Building Performance Association,Stephen Cowell, President,
E4TheFuture, and Larry Zarker, CEO, Building Performance Institute.]
______
Prepared Statement of the Business Council for Sustainable Energy
The Business Council for Sustainable Energy (BCSE) urges Congress
to make clean energy and demand-side energy efficiency central to
infrastructure improvement measures enacted in the 117th Congress, with
a focus on resilience and improved public health and safety. A key
aspect of rebuilding our nation's infrastructure will be to enact
robust funding for clean energy programs managed by federal agencies,
in particular the Department of Energy, in the FY2022 Energy and Water
Development Appropriations bill. A document containing clean energy
industry funding requests for BCSE members in the renewable energy,
energy efficiency and natural gas sectors for the FY2022 Energy and
Water Appropriations Bill can be found here for your reference.
Federal investment in clean energy innovation has received
bipartisan support because Congress recognizes the United States of
America must lead the world in sustainable energy technologies to meet
the need for grid reliability and safety, while boosting economic
growth and reducing environmental impacts.
For these reasons, the Business Council for Sustainable Energy
urges Congress to continue to adequately fund Department of Energy
(DOE) clean energy programs for the offices of Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy (EERE), Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FE),
Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability (EDER), Advanced Research
Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) and other essential DOE clean energy
programs. These federal research development and deployment funds can
be used to leverage business investment to accelerate deployment and
emissions reductions in all sectors of the economy.
The BCSE is a coalition of companies and trade associations from
the energy efficiency, energy storage, natural gas, renewable energy,
sustainable transportation and emerging decarbonization technology
sectors. It includes independent electric power producers, investor-
owned utilities, public utilities, equipment manufacturers, commercial
end users and service providers in energy and environmental markets.
Founded in 1992, the coalition's diverse business membership is united
around the revitalization of the U.S. economy and the creation of a
clean, secure and reliable energy future in America.
The BCSE is pleased to have an independent small- and medium-size
businesses initiative under its banner, the Clean Energy Business
Network (CEBN). Together, the BCSE and CEBN represent a broad range of
the clean energy economy, from Fortune 100 companies to small
businesses working in all 50 states and over 350 Congressional
districts. On a national basis, these industries support over 3 million
U.S. jobs.
The 2021 Sustainable Energy in America Factbook recently released
by the BCSE and BloombergNEF shows that despite major headwinds brought
about due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the transformation of how the U.S.
produces, delivers, and consumes hydrocarbons, electrons and heat
marched onward.
Congress has the opportunity to build on market conditions by
funding research, development and deployment across a broad portfolio
of technologies and industries, including energy efficiency and CHP,
hydropower and marine energy, geothermal energy, wind, solar, energy
storage, microgrids, carbon management and utilization, hydrogen,
critical minerals, sustainable transportation and others to meet the
need for grid reliability and safety, while boosting economic growth
and reducing environmental damage.
The Council welcomes the opportunity to share information from the
Factbook with you and we look forward to working with you throughout
the FY2022 budget cycle.
[This statement was submitted by Lisa Jacobson, President, Business
Council for Sustainable Energy.]
______
Prepared Statement of the Carbon Utilization Research Council
Summary of CURC FY 2022 Recommendation: The Carbon Utilization
Research Council (``CURC'') is an industry coalition focused on
technology solutions for the responsible use of our fossil energy
resources in a balanced, low carbon generation portfolio.\1\ CURC
recommends $1,388,250,000 for the CCUS & Power Systems Program, funded
by the Fossil Energy Research and Development (FE R&D) budget.
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\1\ For more information, please visit www.curc.net.
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Benefits of Investment in Carbon Management Technologies:
Deployment of carbon management technologies including carbon capture,
utilization, and storage (CCUS) will have emissions reductions
benefits, contribute to a growing economy, and play a critical role in
the ongoing energy transition. In addition to providing low-carbon,
dispatchable electricity to load follow intermittent renewables on the
electric grid, CCUS provides a mean to reduce emissions from hard-to-
decarbonize industrial processes including cement production and
steelmaking and can help to create low- and zero- carbon fuels
including hydrogen that have a wide variety of applications to
decarbonize transportation, hard-to-abate industries, and provide long
term, seasonal storage for the grid. International climate authorities
like the International Energy Agency have determined that reaching
economywide net-zero emissions in any scenario is ``virtually
impossible'' without CCUS.
Federal investment in CCUS RD&D will also substantially benefit
U.S. economic competitiveness, as the technology will allow us to
maintain existing jobs and expertise in incumbent industries in
addition to creating new, high-wage jobs in the energy and
manufacturing sectors.
CURC-EPRI Roadmap:
CURC and the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) continuously
evaluate technology needs that reflect changing markets and policies
that impact fossil fuel use in the electric sector, which are
communicated through an Advanced Technology Roadmap. The Roadmap
identifies a suite of CCUS technologies that, if implemented, can
deliver low carbon emission, fossil-fueled power plants between 2025-
2035 that are cost-competitive with other sources of electricity.
Several technologies identified in the Roadmap are readying for large-
scale pilot testing while others are preparing for commercial
demonstration. It is critical that a program is implemented to
successfully commercialize these technologies to successfully meet any
proposed net-zero objectives. This means annual federal budgets must
increase to support the scale-up effort.
Federal Support of RD&D:
The U.S. has been a leader in the development of fossil energy
technology with the support of the DOE's world class CCUS RD&D
programs. In 2020, Congress recognized the need for expedited
development and deployment of these technologies through the enactment
of P.L. 116-260, which authorized approximately $6.7 billion over five
years for carbon management RD&D. These authorizations are in alignment
with the recommendations of the CURC-EPRI Roadmap and will allow DOE to
continue to make substantial progress in the development and
commercialization of CCUS technologies for applications across sectors,
including electric power.
ccus & power systems program fiscal year 2022 specific budget
recommendations
CURC recommends full funding of the authorization levels for Carbon
Management activities included in P.L. 116-260. However, CURC has
several overarching comments regarding FY 2022 funding for the CCUS and
Power Systems Program:
1. Any additional funding provided by Committee for new program
activities should not come at the expense of existing initiatives, for
which the Department has already made substantial progress to
commercialize technologies.
2. Funding for selected projects under the Coal FIRST Initiative
should be provided to construct project facilities, as each project is
intended to demonstrate technologies that will result in net-zero
carbon electricity and hydrogen production and are in line with the
objectives of this Administration.
3. Continued funding should be directed to the Department to
retrofit existing coal- and natural gas-fired electric power
facilities, which will be critical to achieve the Administration's
electric sector decarbonization objectives.
4. Substantial investment is needed to enable large-scale carbon
storage, which underpins the entire value proposition of electric power
and industrial sector carbon capture as well as negative emissions
carbon capture technologies.
Carbon Capture Commercialization:
CURC recommends $500M. CURC recommends funding for the Department
to initiate a Carbon Capture Commercialization Program consistent with
commercial demonstration objectives authorized in PL 116-260 and
recommends that expanded funding for the Department be used to fund
commercial-scale applications of carbon capture technologies for coal,
natural gas, and industrial applications.
Carbon Capture:
CURC recommends $205M. Consistent with the objectives of P.L. 116-
260, CURC's recommendation includes funding to support research,
development, large-scale pilot projects, and carbon capture test
centers for a variety of transformational carbon capture technologies
to improve the efficiency and lower the cost of carbon capture in both
power and industrial sector applications. Funding for carbon capture
should also be applied to new transformational technologies that are
part of the DOE's Advanced Energy Systems program (addressed below), as
intended by the carbon capture program authorization in the Energy Act
of 2020, as those technologies inherently include carbon capture as
part of the overall process. CURC supports efforts to evaluate
industrial carbon capture and negative emissions technologies, but not
at the expense of critical existing R&D for post- and pre-combustion
capture technologies. CURC recommends full funding for the National
Carbon Capture Center (NCCC), which is a critical path for testing and
scaling up new technologies.
Front-End Engineering and Design:
CURC recommends $50M for a front-end engineering and design (FEED)
program on coal, natural gas, and industrial applications of carbon
capture technologies, consistent with objectives authorized in P.L.
116-260, which will provide technical and economic data necessary to
accelerate CCUS project deployment. Funds within this appropriation
should also be utilized to conduct FEED studies of carbon dioxide
storage complexes that may be part of the carbon capture projects
selected for a DOE award.
Carbon Storage:
CURC recommends $200M. CURC supports the authorized funding levels
for Carbon Storage activities included in P.L. 116-260. CURC notes that
direct air capture and other negative emissions technologies will also
be dependent on a robust carbon storage industry and recommends a more
robust program as follows:
--Storage Infrastructure: CURC--$180M.
--Regional Initiatives: CURC--$30M to diversify the Regional
Initiatives' efforts, which were spun out of the Regional
Carbon Sequestration Partnerships (RCSPs). The Regional
Initiatives develop the geologic framework and
infrastructure necessary to validate and deploy carbon
storage, including the assessment of locations for
CarbonSAFE or other commercial-scale carbon storage
projects.
--CarbonSAFE: CURC--$150M to fully fund CarbonSAFE Phase III
projects selected in fiscal year 2020 through to Phase IV
and, with remaining funds, solicit proposals for additional
CarbonSAFE projects. CarbonSAFE Phase III effort will seek
permits, continue to integrate efforts with regional
sources of CO2, demonstrate technical viability
of storage sites and support development of the
qualification processes necessary for a site to begin to
commercially accept CO2.
--CCUS Storage R&D: CURC--$20M. CURC recommends continued focus on
R&D at all TRL levels to address technical gaps to improve
reliability of CCUS storage, including continued
characterization of potential storage opportunities, monitoring
and modeling technologies, risk assessment and mitigation tools
should be supported.
Carbon Utilization:
CURC recommends $55.25M. CURC recommends funding for Carbon
Utilization RD&D activities consistent with P.L. 116-260.
Advanced Energy Systems:
CURC recommends $273M. P.L. 116-260 includes authorizing language
for R&D and large-scale pilot projects for a variety of
transformational carbon management technologies, including those
covered by the Advanced Energy Systems program that inherently include
carbon capture as part of their system process. CURC recommends funding
for specific subprograms as follows:
--Advanced Gasification Systems: $20M. CURC recommends continued
focus on research for low cost, modular gasification
technologies that will increase efficiency and lower capital
costs for coal and biomass to hydrogen or power applications,
as well as research to support a broad range of R&D.
--Advanced Turbines: $50M. CURC recommends funding to undertake R&D
to improve the efficiency of gas turbines, to utilize 100%
hydrogen as well as hydrogen-natural gas blends as well as
ammonia and ammonia-hydrogen blends, and to test and validate
components and their performance as an integrated system.
--Fuel Cells: $40M. CURC recommends funding for the development of
next generation fuel cell technologies to produce both power
and hydrogen from fossil fuels.
--Advanced Combustion Systems: $68M. CURC recommends funding to
advance novel energy conversion technologies, including
chemical looping ($11M), pressurized oxycombustion ($29M), and
supercritical CO2 systems ($38M) for bench-scale work as well
as to advance promising technologies to pilot-scale testing.
Supercritical CO2 Technology (STEP):
CURC recommends $20M. CURC recommends efforts, consistent with the
original scope of work, to complete the necessary design and
construction of the 10-MW pilot and to conduct the necessary testing
for the facility. CURC also recommends funds for competitively awarded
research and development activities, coordinated with the Offices of
Nuclear Energy (NE) and Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE),
to advance the use of supercritical power cycles.
Transformational Coal Pilot Plant Program:
CURC recommends $10M, consistent with FY 2021 appropriations, to
continue funding Phase III projects selected in FY 2021.
Cross Cutting R&D Program:
CURC recommends $75M. CURC's recommendations for Cross Cutting R&D
include:
--Sensors and Controls: $8M to improve monitoring of systems and
apply solutions to mitigate stress on fossil systems that
increasingly operate under cycling load conditions.
--Extreme Environmental Materials: $16M. CURC recommends $8M to
support high temperature and pressure component testing under
real operating conditions, a project underway between DOE and
industry; and $8M for the A-USC Materials Consortium.
--Water Management R&D: $15M for thermoelectric applications of water
use and reuse, reduced water withdrawals, clean-up of water
discharge, and zero liquid discharge (ZLD) technologies.
--Computational Science: $11M.
--Advanced Energy Storage Initiative: $5M. CURC supports funding for
thermal, mechanical, and chemical storage systems that can be
integrated with fossil power systems.
--University Training and Research: $4M to develop the next
generation workforce for the fossil energy generation industry
which is experiencing a very large generation gap.
Other Initiatives Within Fossil Energy Research and Development:
Outside of the CCUS and Power Systems Program, CURC provides the
following recommendations within the broader FE R&D portfolio:
--Natural Gas Utilization: $40M. CURC recommends the establishment of
a new research and development initiative within the Natural
Gas Technologies office to effectively utilize natural gas for
decarbonization solutions. Within those funds, CURC recommends
$40,000,000 for sustainable fuels and chemicals research and
development focused on conversion of natural gas, natural gas
liquids and other gas streams to low-carbon products, including
chemicals and fuels such as ammonia and low carbon hydrogen.
Comprehensive planning approaches for transitioning segments of
the economy to hydrogen and other low-carbon fuels should be a
part of the program, including analysis of the infrastructure
required to store and transport these fuels. CURC also supports
the establishment of a Center for Sustainable Fuels and
Chemicals at the National Energy Technology Lab and a funding
level of up to $15,000,000 for this initiative from within
available funds for sustainable fuels and chemicals research
and development.
--Hydrogen RD&D: $86M. CURC encourages the FE to expand hydrogen
research, development and demonstration activities that support
fossil fuel-derived hydrogen production equipped with CCUS
technologies that results in significantly reduced carbon
dioxide intensity. CURC encourages the Committee to recognize
the importance of low- and zero-carbon hydrogen production for
a variety of end uses and to support continued collaboration
with the EERE, OE, and NE.
[This statement was submitted by Shannon Angielski, Executive
Director, Carbon Utilization Research Council.]
______
Prepared Statement of the Central Arizona Water Conservation District
On behalf of the Central Arizona Water Conservation District
(CAWCD), I encourage you to include an allocation of $10.7 million for
the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation's Salinity Control Basinwide Program for
the Colorado River Basin in the Fiscal Year 2022 Energy and Water
Development Appropriations bill. Continued funding for the Basinwide
Program, which supports salinity control projects, will help protect
the water quality of the Colorado River that is used by approximately
40 million people for municipal and industrial purposes and used to
irrigate approximately 4 million acres in the United States. CAWCD
further supports continued prioritization of funding for the Drought
Contingency Plan designed to reduce risks to the Colorado River basin
from ongoing drought.
CAWCD manages the Central Arizona Project, a multi-purpose water
resource development and management project that delivers Colorado
River water into central and southern Arizona. The largest supplier of
renewable water in Arizona, CAP delivers an average of over 1.5 million
acre-feet of Arizona's 2.8 million acre-foot Colorado River entitlement
each year to municipal and industrial users, agricultural irrigation
districts, and Indian communities.
Our goal at CAP is to provide an affordable, reliable and
sustainable supply of Colorado River water to a service area that
includes more than 80 percent of Arizona's population. These renewable
water supplies are critical to Arizona's economy and to the economies
of Native American communities throughout the state. Nearly 90% of
economic activity in the State of Arizona occurs within CAP's service
area. The canal provides an economic benefit of $100 billion annually,
accounting for one-third of the entire Arizona gross state product. CAP
also helps the State of Arizona meet its water management and
regulatory objectives of reducing groundwater use and ensuring
availability of groundwater as a supplemental water supply during
future droughts. Achieving and maintaining these water management
objectives is critical to the long-term sustainability of a state as
arid as Arizona.
the colorado river basin salinity control program--its history and
significance
Recognizing the rapidly increasing salinity concentration in the
Lower Colorado River and its impact on water users, Arizona joined with
the other Colorado River Basin States in 1973 and organized the
Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Forum (Forum). In 1974, in
coordination with the U.S. Department of the Interior and the U.S.
State Department, the Forum worked with Congress in the passage of the
Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Act (Act) to offset increased
damages caused by continued development and use of the waters of the
Colorado River. Title I of the Salinity Control Act deals with the
United States' commitment to the quality of water being delivered to
Mexico. Title II of the Act deals with improving the quality of the
water delivered to the U.S. users.
In the early years of the Program, Reclamation implemented salinity
control through large projects that were funded with specific line item
amounts. In 1995, Congress amended the Act and created Reclamation's
Basinwide Program. Under this program, Reclamation funds competitive
proposals that will decrease the salt load to the Colorado River. Most
of the received proposals target off-farm irrigation distribution
systems such as canals and laterals. The lining or piping of canals and
laterals prevents leakage into the groundwater and the dissolution and
transportation of salts to the Colorado River and its tributaries.
States provide a 30 percent cost share of the projects implemented by
Reclamation. CAWCD and other key water providers in the United States
and Mexico are working to maintain salinity standards.
negative impacts of concentrated salts
Natural and man-induced salt loading to the Colorado River creates
environmental and economic damages. The Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) has identified that more than 60 percent of the salt load of the
Colorado River comes from natural sources. With the significant federal
ownership in the Basin, most of this comes from federally administered
lands. Human activity, principally irrigation, adds to the salt load of
the Colorado River. Further, natural and human activities concentrate
the dissolved salts in the River.
The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) has estimated the
current quantifiable damages of salt at about $454 million per year.
Modeling by Reclamation indicates that quantifiable damages would
increase to approximately $671 million annually by 2040 if the program
were not to continue.
These damages include: a reduction in the yield of salt sensitive
crops and increased water use to meet the leaching requirements in the
agricultural sector; increased use of imported water and cost of
desalination and brine disposal for recycling water in the municipal
sector; a reduction in the useful life of galvanized water pipe
systems, water heaters, faucets, garbage disposals, clothes washers,
and dishwashers, and increased use of bottled water and water softeners
in the household sector; an increase in the cost of cooling operations
and the cost of water softening, and a decrease in equipment service
life in the commercial sector; an increase in the use of water and the
cost of water treatment, and an increase in sewer fees in the
industrial sector; a decrease in the life of treatment facilities and
pipelines in the utility sector; and difficulty in meeting wastewater
discharge requirements to comply with National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System permit terms and conditions, and an increase in
desalination and brine disposal costs due to accumulation of salts in
groundwater basins.
u.s. bureau of reclamation and drought contingency plan (dcp)
Federal legislation was enacted in 2019 to authorize the
implementation of the DCP at the federal level. The DCP was designed to
protect the Colorado River system through reductions in use and
increased incentives for storage in Lake Mead, the Lower Basin's
principal reservoir.
The DCP agreements were developed through a collaborative process
amongst the federal government, states, water users and Mexico. CAWCD
encourages Congress to continue to prioritize support for the
implementation of the DCP, including resources for the Bureau of
Reclamation to achieve the goal to conserve up to 100,000 acre-feet per
year as part of the DCP, and to continue to explore means to augment
Colorado River system supplies consistent with the Colorado River Basin
Project Act.
conclusion
Implementation of salinity control practices through Reclamation's
Basinwide Program has proven to be a very cost-effective method of
controlling the salinity of the Colorado River. In fact, the salt load
of the Colorado River has now been reduced by roughly 1.2 million tons
annually. However, shortfalls in recent Basinwide Program funding
levels have led to inefficiencies in the implementation of the overall
Program. The Plan of Implementation, as adopted by the states and
approved by EPA, calls for 63,500 tons of additional salinity control
measures to be implemented by Reclamation, the Bureau of Land
Management and the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Services
(NRCS) through 2021, or approximately 9,100 tons of new control each
year by Reclamation.
The current drought that has significantly impacted the West
affects the amount of and quality of available water, which in turn has
the potential to exacerbate the salinity concentration levels. As such,
we respectfully request $10.7 million for the U.S. Bureau of
Reclamation's Basinwide Program for the Colorado River Basin in the
Fiscal Year 2022 Appropriations bill. Continuation of adequate funding
levels for salinity within this program will prevent further
degradation of water quality of the Colorado River and significant
increases of economic damages to its nearly 40 million municipal,
industrial and irrigation users. In addition, we encourage Congress to
continue to prioritize support for the implementation of the DCP.
[This statement was submitted by Theodore C. Cooke, General
Manager, Central Arizona Water Conservation District.]
______
Prepared Statement of the Clean Hydrogen Future Coalition
summary of clean hydrogen future coalition
fiscal year 2022 recommendation
CHFC (Clean Hydrogen Future Coalition) recommends $1,280,000,000
for clean hydrogen research, development, and deployment (RD&D)
activities at the Department of Energy for FY 2022. These
recommendations would direct $1,100,000,000 to clean hydrogen programs
within the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) and
$180,000,000 to clean hydrogen programs within the Office of Fossil
Energy. However, CHFC stresses the importance of collaboration among
the Offices of EERE, Fossil Energy, Nuclear Energy, and Science to
effectively and efficiently utilize funds and ensure a comprehensive
approach to clean hydrogen production, transport, and utilization.
Background on the Clean Hydrogen Future Coalition:
The Clean Hydrogen Future Coalition (CHFC) is a diverse group of
stakeholders supporting federal clean hydrogen policies that will
stimulate the adoption of clean hydrogen in the U.S. and enable our
country to achieve national decarbonization objectives while also
increasing U.S. global competitiveness. CHFC members represent a broad
spectrum of forward-thinking entities in industries that will play a
critical role in the transition to a clean energy economy with a robust
role for clean hydrogen.
Importance of Scaling Clean Hydrogen:
With its ability to be used as a fuel source for transportation, as
an industrial or chemical feedstock, or to produce and store
electricity, clean hydrogen will have a critical role in accelerating
decarbonization across all sectors of our economy. For example, clean
hydrogen will be necessary to decarbonize heavier modes of transport--
including heavy-duty trucking, shipping, and aviation--that are
substantially more difficult, if not impossible, to electrify than
passenger vehicles. Clean hydrogen can also be substituted for fossil
fuels to power certain high-temperature industrial processes that
cannot be electrified and for which other mitigation options are
limited or unavailable. In the electric power sector, clean hydrogen
can be used to produce CO2 emissions-free electricity and can be used
to enable the long-duration energy storage necessary to achieve the
net-zero emission electric grid envisioned by the Biden administration.
In order to create a clean hydrogen economy at the scale necessary
to achieve national decarbonization objectives, the U.S. must take
action to significantly reduce the cost of clean hydrogen production,
propel its investment in clean hydrogen infrastructure, and incentivize
its use in various end-use market applications. Scaling clean hydrogen
will also provide an opportunity to transition existing--and create
new--skilled, high wage jobs needed to support the clean energy
transition.
Importance of Federal Support for RD&D:
Given the level of clean hydrogen production, infrastructure, and
end-use demand that must be in place to power a clean hydrogen economy
at scale, a comprehensive and coordinated federal investment strategy
is required from the Department of Energy. The Department of Energy has
demonstrated commercialization successes across its applied energy
research offices and federal support has long played a critical role in
commercializing energy technologies and making them economically viable
for the private sector. There are typically long lead times for
advancing energy technologies from concept to demonstration, then to
commercialization, and each phase carries significant technical and
cost risks as well as uncertainty in market requirements and timing. To
accelerate the energy transition, robust federal support is necessary
to scale up clean hydrogen technologies through each of these stages,
particularly if they are to be made available in a sufficient period of
time to contribute to domestic decarbonization objectives.
fiscal year 2022 specific budget recommendations--office of energy
efficiency and renewable energy
The CHFC recommends $1.1 billion for clean hydrogen RD&D activities
within the EERE. While EERE has traditionally housed the majority of
federal RD&D programs related to hydrogen, CHFC encourages the
Committee to provide direction to DOE requiring cross-Department
collaboration on hydrogen RD&D activities.
Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies:
CHFC recommends $800 million. The CHFC recommends funding as
follows:
--H2@Scale Commercial Demonstration: CHFC recommends $500 million for
the initiation of a commercialization program for technologies
that have the potential to produce, transport, or utilize
hydrogen with low-, net-zero, or net-negative carbon dioxide
emissions. There are a number of clean hydrogen production
technologies for which funding should support, including hybrid
hydrogen production integrated with clean electricity
generation, autothermal reforming, compact hydrogen generators,
biomass combustion to hydrogen, and solid waste and plastics to
hydrogen. The CHFC encourages the Committee to recommend that
DOE utilize clean hydrogen produced from one commercial
demonstration facility for the purposes of supplying hydrogen
for medium- and heavy-duty hydrogen fuel cell vehicles and the
associated fueling infrastructure to demonstrate the
integration of clean hydrogen production with specific end use
applications. The CHFC recommends that these activities be
conducted in coordination with the Office of Fossil Energy.
--H2@Scale Front-End Engineering and Design: CHFC recommends $150
million for a front-end engineering and design (FEED) program
for technologies that have the potential to produce, transport,
or utilize hydrogen with low-, net-zero, or net-negative carbon
dioxide emissions. The CHFC recommends that these activities be
conducted in coordination with the Office of Fossil Energy.
--Research, Development, and Demonstration: CHFC recommends $150
million to expand clean hydrogen research, development and
demonstration activities based on the priorities described in
the Department of Energy's 2020 ``Hydrogen Program Plan'' and
work in coordination with the Offices of Fossil and Nuclear
Energy to advance the priorities outlined in the strategy.
Within available funds, CHFC recommends continued research on
novel onboard hydrogen tank systems, trailer delivery systems
to reduce cost of delivered hydrogen, novel chemical hydrogen
carriers, and development of material-based storage and
hydrogen storage materials. CHFC also recommends continued
electrolyzer development, including high-temperature
electrolyzer RD&D activities, cost-shared with the office of
Nuclear Energy, with a focus on improving the efficiency and
reducing costs of electrolyzers. CHFC recommends continued fuel
cell technology development for the transportation fleet,
including for long haul and heavy-duty trucking. The CHFC
encourages the Department to consult regularly with industry to
avoid duplication of private-sector activities and to work with
the Department of Transportation and industry on coordinating
efforts to deploy hydrogen fueling infrastructure.
SuperTruck III Program: CHFC recommends $300 million for continued
funding of the SuperTruck III program to improve the energy and freight
efficiency of heavy- and medium-duty long- and regional-haul vehicles.
Within this funding, CHFC recommends demonstration of hydrogen fuel
cell technologies capable of meeting cost, efficiency, and performance
targets identified by the Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office
for hydrogen-fueled long-haul Class 8 trucks.
fiscal year 2022 specific budget recommendations--office of fossil
energy
The CHFC recommends $180 million for the Office of Fossil Energy to
undertake hydrogen-related RD&D activities within the Fossil Energy
Research and Development (FE R&D) Program. The FE R&D Program can
leverage existing expertise to further develop clean hydrogen
production from fossil fuels coupled with carbon capture, utilization,
and storage (CCUS) with low- and net-zero CO2 emissions, or net-
negative emissions when fossil fuels are co-fired with sustainable
biomass resources. The Office of Fossil Energy is also home to existing
expertise within the Department on hydrogen transport via pipeline and
the use of clean hydrogen in industrial and power applications.
Natural Gas Technologies:
The CHFC recommends $90 million for the Natural Gas Technologies
Program as follows:
--Clean Hydrogen RD&D: CHFC recommends $40 million to establish a new
research and development initiative within the Natural Gas
Technologies Office to decarbonize the use of natural gas to
produce clean fuels, including low- or zero-carbon hydrogen and
other low carbon fuels or feedstocks such as ammonia.
Comprehensive planning approaches for transitioning segments of
the economy to hydrogen and other low-carbon fuels should be a
part of the program, including analysis of the infrastructure
required to store and transport these fuels.
--Natural Gas Infrastructure: CHFC recommends $50 million. The CHFC
recognizes the importance of leveraging our existing
infrastructure and its potential for transporting clean
hydrogen. Hydrogen blending in natural gas pipelines is being
studied, and there is a need for additional research to
understand the impacts to existing infrastructure. Within this
funding, the CHFC recommends not less than $10 million to
conduct research and development for hydrogen transportation
and storage infrastructure, which should address the safety,
mechanical integrity, and regulatory impacts of blending
hydrogen into existing natural gas pipelines and assess whether
those blends can be utilized throughout the distribution
system. Pipeline research should also focus on novel, low-cost
materials for use in pipelines to assess compatibility of
higher-strength steels with hydrogen and first-of-a-kind
demonstrations of novel pipeline technologies. Storage research
should focus on geologic storage of hydrogen. Comprehensive
planning approaches for transitioning segments of natural gas
users to increased hydrogen use should be part of the program,
including analysis of the infrastructure required to store and
transport hydrogen
CCUS and Power Systems:
CHFC recommends $90 million for hydrogen-related RD&D activities
within the CCUS and Power Systems Program as follows:
--Advanced Turbines R&D: Within available funds for Advanced Energy
Systems, CHFC recommends $50 million for Advanced Turbines R&D,
with direction to use funds for a research and development
program focused on utilizing clean hydrogen, clean hydrogen-
natural gas blends, and ammonia and ammonia-hydrogen blends, to
test and validate components and their performance as an
integrated system, working cooperatively with industry,
universities, and other appropriate parties. Funding should
also support demonstrating hydrogen turbines that can be fueled
with pure hydrogen.
--Solid Oxide Fuel Cells: Within available funds for Advanced Energy
Systems, CHFC recommends $40 million for the development of
next generation solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technologies to
produce power and hydrogen from fossil fuels. This activity
builds on significant progress made through research and
development in this program to enable efficient, cost-effective
electricity generation and hydrogen production with minimal use
of water. These activities will result in development of SOFC
technologies to produce hydrogen from fossil fuels while
benefiting from synergies with EERE's Hydrogen and Fuel Cell
Technologies Program relative to infrastructure developments
and safety of end use. This funding will preserve U.S.
leadership in SOFC technology, ensure utilization of extensive
fossil fuel resources in the U.S., and will result in ultra-
high efficiency production of power and hydrogen.
[This statement was submitted by Shannon Angielski, President,
Clean Hydrogen Future Coalition.]
______
Prepared Statement of the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Forum
Waters from the Colorado River are used by approximately 40 million
people for municipal and industrial purposes and used to irrigate
approximately 5.5 million acres in the United States. Natural and man-
induced salt loading to the Colorado River creates environmental and
economic damages. In 2020 the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation)
estimated the quantifiable damages to Lower Basin water users due to
elevated salinity levels at about $354 million per year. Congress
authorized the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Program (Program)
through the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Act (Act) (P.L. 93-
320) in 1974 to offset increased damages caused by continued
development and use of the waters of the Colorado River. Modeling by
Reclamation indicates that the quantifiable damages will rise to
approximately $671 million annually by the year 2040 without
continuation of the Program. Congress has directed the Secretary of the
Interior to implement a comprehensive program for minimizing salt
contributions to the Colorado River. Reclamation serves as the lead
federal agency in implementing the Program. Reclamation primarily
institutes salinity control through its Basinwide Program. A funding
level of $10.7 million is required in 2022 to prevent further
degradation of the quality of the Colorado River and a commensurate
increase in downstream economic damages to water users.
EPA has identified that more than 60 percent of the salt load of
the Colorado River comes from natural sources. The majority of land
within the Colorado River Basin is federally owned, much of which is
administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). In authorizing the
Program, Congress recognized that most of the salts in the Colorado
River originate from federally owned lands. Title I of the Act deals
with programs downstream of Imperial Dam that enable the U.S. to meet
its commitment regarding the quality of waters being delivered to
Mexico (Minute No. 242 of the International Boundary and Water
Commission, United States and Mexico). Title II of the Act addresses
measures upstream from Imperial Dam, thus improving the quality of the
water delivered to users in the United States. This testimony deals
specifically with Title II efforts.
In the early years of the Program, Reclamation implemented salinity
control through large projects, which were funded with specific line-
item amounts. In 1995, Congress amended the Act and created
Reclamation's Basinwide Program. Under this program, Reclamation funds
competitive proposals for projects which will decrease the salt load to
the Colorado River. Most of the received proposals target off-farm
irrigation distribution systems such as canals and laterals. The lining
or piping of canals and laterals prevents leakage of water into the
groundwater system and the dissolution and transportation of salts to
the Colorado River and its tributaries. It is more efficient and cost
effective for Reclamation to perform the off-farm distribution system
improvements prior to NRCS treating the on-farm acres with salinity
control practices (i.e., Reclamation should pipe a canal or lateral
prior to the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) putting a
pressurized sprinkler system on farm). Shortfalls in recent Basinwide
Program funding levels have led to inefficiencies in the implementation
of the overall Program. The funding amount identified above is required
to get the Basinwide Program back on pace with the overall Program
implementation needs.
Concentration of salt in the Colorado River causes approximately
$354 million annually in quantified damages and significantly more in
unquantified damages in the United States and results in poor water
quality for United States users. Damages, by water usage sector,
include the following:
--a reduction in the ability to reclaim and reuse water for
beneficial uses, including drinking water and irrigation water
supplies, due to high salinities in the water delivered to
water treatment and reclamation facilities,
--a reduction in the yield of salt sensitive crops, increased water
use to meet leaching requirements and additional actions
necessary to comply with the Clean Water Act within the
agricultural sector,
--increased use of imported water and cost of desalination and brine
disposal for recycling water in the municipal sector,
--a reduction in the useful life of galvanized water pipe systems,
water heaters, faucets, garbage disposals, clothes washers and
dishwashers, and increased use of bottled water and water
softeners in the household sector,
--an increase in the cost of cooling operations and the cost of water
softening, and a decrease in equipment service life in the
commercial sector,
--an increase in the use of water and the cost of water treatment,
and a corresponding increase in sewer fees in the industrial
sector,
--a decrease in the lifespan of treatment facilities and pipelines in
the utility sector, and
--difficulty in meeting wastewater discharge requirements to comply
with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit
terms and conditions, and an increase in desalination and brine
disposal costs necessary to minimize accumulation of salts in
groundwater basins.
The Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Forum (Forum) is composed
of gubernatorial appointees from Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada,
New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming. The Forum is charged with reviewing the
Colorado River's water quality standards for salinity every three years
to facilitate compliance with Section 303(c) of the Clean Water Act
(P.L. 92-500). In so doing, it adopts a Plan of Implementation
consistent with these standards. The level of appropriation requested
in this testimony is in keeping with the adopted Plan of
Implementation. If adequate funds are not appropriated, significant
damages from higher salinity concentrations in the water will be more
widespread in the United States and Mexico.
In summary, implementation of salinity control practices through
Reclamation's Basinwide Program has proven to be a very cost-effective
method of controlling the salinity of the Colorado River and is an
essential component to the overall Program. Adequate funding levels for
salinity control within this Program will prevent the water quality of
the Colorado River from further degradation and significant increases
in economic damages to municipal, industrial and irrigation users. A
modest investment in source control pays huge dividends in improved
water quality for nearly 40 million Americans.
[This statement was submitted by Don A. Barnett, Executive
Director, Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Forum.]
______
Prepared Statement of the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Program
summary
This Statement is submitted in support of Fiscal Year 2022
appropriations for the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Program
(Program) of the Department of the Interior's Bureau of Reclamation
(Reclamation). Reclamation serves as the lead federal agency in
implementing the Program. Reclamation primarily institutes salinity
control through its Basinwide Program. A total of $10,700,000 is
requested for Fiscal Year 2022 to implement the authorized salinity
control program of the Bureau of Reclamation. An appropriation of
$10,700,000 for Reclamation's salinity control program is needed to
protect water quality standards for salinity and to prevent unnecessary
levels of economic damage from increased salinity in water delivered to
the Lower Basin States of the Colorado River.
statement
The water quality standards for salinity of the Colorado River must
be protected while the Basin States continue to develop their compact
apportioned waters of the river. The salinity standards for the
Colorado River have been adopted by the seven Basin States and approved
by the Environmental Protection Agency. While currently the standards
have not been exceeded, salinity control projects must be brought on-
line in a timely manner to counter the effects of future development
that could result in unnecessary damages from higher levels of salinity
in the water delivered to the Lower Basin States of the Colorado River.
The seven Colorado River Basin States, in response to the Clean
Water Act of 1972, formed the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control
Forum (Forum), a body comprised of gubernatorial representatives from
the seven states. The Forum was created to provide for interstate
cooperation in response to the Clean Water Act and to provide the
states with information necessary to comply with Sections 303(a) and
(b) of the Act. The Forum has become the primary means for the Basin
States to coordinate with federal agencies and Congress to support the
implementation of the salinity control program for the Colorado River
Basin.
The Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Act was authorized by
Congress and signed into law in 1974. This authorized the Secretary of
the Interior to initiate the Program, and it created the Colorado River
Basin Salinity Control Advisory Council representing the seven Basin
States. This federal advisory committee works closely with the Forum.
Colorado River water is used by approximately 40 million people and
irrigates approximately 5.5 million acres in the United States. Bureau
of Reclamation studies show that quantified damages from Colorado River
salinity to United States water users are about $354 million per year.
Unquantified damages are greater. Reclamation's modeling indicates that
the quantifiable damages would increase to $671 million per year by
2040 if the Program is not continued. Control of salinity is necessary
for the states of the Colorado River Basin, including New Mexico, to
continue to develop their compact-apportioned waters of the Colorado
River.
Timely appropriations for the funding of the salinity control
program are essential to comply with the water quality standards for
salinity, prevent unnecessary economic damages in the United States,
and protect the quality of the water that the United States is
obligated to deliver to Mexico. The Basin States and federal agencies
agree that increases in the salinity of the Colorado River will result
in significant increases in damages to water users in the Lower
Colorado River Basin. Continued strong support and adequate funding of
the salinity control program is required to control salinity-related
damages in the United States and Mexico.
Congress amended the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Act in
July 1995 (Public Law 104-20), creating Reclamation's Basinwide
Program. The Basinwide Program has proven to be cost-effective, and the
Basin States provide up-front cost-sharing. Proposals from public and
private sector entities in response to Reclamation's requests for
proposals and funding opportunity announcements have exceeded available
funding appropriated in recent years. The Basin States' cost-sharing
adds 43 cents for each federal dollar appropriated.
Public Law 106-459 gave the Bureau of Reclamation additional
spending authority for the salinity control program. With the
additional authority in place and cost-sharing available from the Basin
States, it is important that the salinity control program be funded at
the level requested by the Forum and Basin States to protect the water
quality of the Colorado River. Some of the most cost-effective salinity
control opportunities occur when Reclamation improves irrigation
delivery systems concurrently with on-farm irrigation improvements
undertaken by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Environmental
Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). The Basin States cost-share funding
is available for both on-farm and off-farm improvements. The EQIP
funding appears to be adequate to accomplish the on-farm work. Adequate
funding for Reclamation's off-farm work is needed to maintain timely
implementation and effectiveness of salinity control measures.
I urge Congress to appropriate $10.7 million to the Basinwide
Program of the Bureau of Reclamation for the Colorado River Basin
Salinity Control Program. This investment in water quality will pay for
itself many times over. Also, I fully support testimony by the Forum's
Executive Director, Don Barnett, in request of this appropriation.
[This statement was submitted by Rolf Schmidt-Petersen, Director,
New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission.]
______
Prepared Statement of the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Program
summary
This Statement is submitted in support of Fiscal Year 2022
appropriations for the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Program
(Program) of the Department of the Interior's Bureau of Reclamation
(Reclamation). Reclamation serves as the lead federal agency in
implementing the Program. Reclamation primarily institutes salinity
control through its Basinwide Program. A total of $10,700,000 is
requested for Fiscal Year 2022 to implement the authorized salinity
control program of the Bureau of Reclamation. An appropriation of
$10,700,000 for Reclamation's salinity control program is needed to
protect water quality standards for salinity and to prevent unnecessary
levels of economic damage from increased salinity in water delivered to
the Lower Basin States of the Colorado River.
statement
The water quality standards for salinity of the Colorado River must
be protected while the Basin States continue to develop their compact
apportioned waters of the river. The salinity standards for the
Colorado River have been adopted by the seven Basin States and approved
by the Environmental Protection Agency. While currently the standards
have not been exceeded, salinity control projects must be brought on-
line in a timely manner to counter the effects of future development
that could result in unnecessary damages from higher levels of salinity
in the water delivered to the Lower Basin States of the Colorado River.
The seven Colorado River Basin States, in response to the Clean
Water Act of 1972, formed the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control
Forum (Forum), a body comprised of gubernatorial representatives from
the seven states. The Forum was created to provide for interstate
cooperation in response to the Clean Water Act and to provide the
states with information necessary to comply with Sections 303(a) and
(b) of the Act. The Forum has become the primary means for the Basin
States to coordinate with federal agencies and Congress to support the
implementation of the salinity control program for the Colorado River
Basin.
The Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Act was authorized by
Congress and signed into law in 1974. This authorized the Secretary of
the Interior to initiate the Program, and it created the Colorado River
Basin Salinity Control Advisory Council representing the seven Basin
States. This federal advisory committee works closely with the Forum.
Colorado River water is used by approximately 40 million people and
irrigates approximately 5.5 million acres in the United States. Bureau
of Reclamation studies show that quantified damages from Colorado River
salinity to United States water users are about $354 million per year.
Unquantified damages are greater. Reclamation's modeling indicates that
the quantifiable damages would increase to $671 million per year by
2040 if the Program is not continued. Control of salinity is necessary
for the states of the Colorado River Basin, including New Mexico, to
continue to develop their compact-apportioned waters of the Colorado
River.
Timely appropriations for the funding of the salinity control
program are essential to comply with the water quality standards for
salinity, prevent unnecessary economic damages in the United States,
and protect the quality of the water that the United States is
obligated to deliver to Mexico. The Basin States and federal agencies
agree that increases in the salinity of the Colorado River will result
in significant increases in damages to water users in the Lower
Colorado River Basin. Continued strong support and adequate funding of
the salinity control program is required to control salinity-related
damages in the United States and Mexico.
Congress amended the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Act in
July 1995 (Public Law 104-20), creating Reclamation's Basinwide
Program. The Basinwide Program has proven to be cost-effective, and the
Basin States provide up-front cost-sharing. Proposals from public and
private sector entities in response to Reclamation's requests for
proposals and funding opportunity announcements have exceeded available
funding appropriated in recent years. The Basin States' cost-sharing
adds 43 cents for each federal dollar appropriated.
Public Law 106-459 gave the Bureau of Reclamation additional
spending authority for the salinity control program. With the
additional authority in place and cost-sharing available from the Basin
States, it is important that the salinity control program be funded at
the level requested by the Forum and Basin States to protect the water
quality of the Colorado River. Some of the most cost-effective salinity
control opportunities occur when Reclamation improves irrigation
delivery systems concurrently with on-farm irrigation improvements
undertaken by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Environmental
Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). The Basin States cost-share funding
is available for both on-farm and off-farm improvements. The EQIP
funding appears to be adequate to accomplish the on-farm work. Adequate
funding for Reclamation's off-farm work is needed to maintain timely
implementation and effectiveness of salinity control measures.
I urge Congress to appropriate $10.7 million to the Basinwide
Program of the Bureau of Reclamation for the Colorado River Basin
Salinity Control Program. This investment in water quality will pay for
itself many times over. Also, I fully support testimony by the Forum's
Executive Director, Don Barnett, in request of this appropriation.
[This statement was submitted by Rolf Schmidt-Petersen, Director,
New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission.]
______
Prepared Statement of the Colorado River Board of California
This testimony is in support of Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 funding for
the Department of the Interior for Title II Colorado River Basin
Salinity Control Act of 1974 (P.L. 93-320), as amended. In the Act,
Congress designated the Department of the Interior, Bureau of
Reclamation (Reclamation) to be the lead agency for salinity control in
the Colorado River Basin. Reclamation primarily implements salinity
control through its Basinwide Program, established by Congress through
an amendment to the Act in 1995. Funding levels for the Basinwide
Program have fallen behind in recent years, and a funding level of
$10.7 million is requested to be provided in FY-2022 to prevent further
degradation of the quality of Colorado River water supplies and
increased economic damages.
The Colorado River System is used by approximately 40 million
people for municipal and industrial purposes and used to irrigate
approximately 5.5 million acres in the United States, and supplies
municipal and agricultural uses in Mexico. Within Southern California,
the Colorado River serves close to 20 million residents and 860,000
acres of irrigated agriculture, including municipal, industrial, and
agricultural water users in Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside,
San Bernardino, San Diego, and Ventura Counties. Natural and human-
induced salt loading to the Colorado River creates environmental and
economic damages. In 2020 Reclamation estimated the quantifiable
economic damages from salt in the Colorado River at about $354 million
per year. Modeling by Reclamation indicates that these economic damages
could rise to nearly $671 million annually by the year 2040 without
continued implementation of the Basinwide Program.
The Colorado River Board of California is the state agency charged
with protecting California's interests and rights in the water and
power resources of the Colorado River system. In this capacity,
California participates along with the other six Colorado River Basin
states in the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Forum (Forum), the
interstate organization responsible for coordinating the Basin States'
salinity control efforts. In close cooperation with the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and pursuant to requirements of
the Clean Water Act, the Forum is charged with reviewing the Colorado
River's water quality standards every three years. Every three years
the Forum also adopts a Plan of Implementation consistent with these
water quality standards. The level of appropriation being supported by
this testimony is consistent with the Forum's 2020 Plan of
Implementation for continued salinity control efforts within the
Colorado River Basin. The Forum's 2020 Plan of Implementation can be
found on this website: https://coloradoriversalinity.org/docs/
2020%20REVIEW%20-%20Final%20w%20appendices.
pdf.
If adequate funds are not appropriated to Reclamation's Basinwide
Program, significant environmental and economic damages associated with
increasing salinity concentrations in Colorado River water will become
more widespread in the United States and Mexican portions of the
Colorado River Basin. For example, damages occur from:
--A reduction in the ability and increased costs to reclaim and reuse
water for consumptive beneficial use, including drinking water
supply and irrigation, due to high salinities in the water
delivered to water treatment and reclamation facilities;
--A reduction in the yield of salt-sensitive crops, increased water
use to meet the leaching requirements to maintain crop
productivity, and additional actions necessary to comply with
the Clean Water Act in the agricultural sector;
--Increased use of imported water and increased cost of desalination
and brine disposal for recycling water in the municipal sector;
--A reduction in the useful life of galvanized water pipe systems,
water heaters, faucets, garbage disposals, clothes washers and
dishwashers, and increased use of bottled water and water
softeners in the residential sector;
--An increase in the cost of cooling operations and the cost of water
softening, and a decrease in equipment service life in the
commercial sector;
--An increase in the use of water and the cost of water treatment,
and a corresponding increase in sewer fees in the industrial
sector;
--A decrease in the lifespan of treatment facilities and pipelines in
the utility sector; and
--Difficulty in meeting wastewater discharge requirements to comply
with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit
terms and conditions, and an increase in desalination and brine
disposal costs necessary to minimize accumulation of salts in
groundwater basins.
The 2020 Plan of Implementation, as adopted by the Basin States and
approved by EPA, calls for 62,400 tons annually of additional salinity
control measures to be implemented by Reclamation, Natural Resources
Conservation Service, and Bureau of Land Management by 2024. Over the
past years, the Basinwide Program has proven to be a very cost-
effective approach to help mitigate the impacts of increased salinity
in the Colorado River. Adequate federal funding of this important
program is essential. Based on current program cost levels,
Reclamation's funding for the Basinwide Program must be at least $10.7
million to meet those annual salinity control targets.
The Colorado River is, and will continue to be, a major and vital
water resource to the nearly 20 million residents of southern
California, including municipal, industrial, and agricultural water
users in Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San
Diego, and Ventura Counties. The protection and improvement of Colorado
River water quality through an effective salinity control program
avoids additional economic and environmental damages to California, the
other Colorado River Basin states and Mexico that rely on Colorado
River water resources.
Thank you for your consideration of this testimony.
[This statement was submitted by Christopher S. Harris, Executive
Director,
Colorado River Board of California.]
______
Prepared Statement of Colorado Springs Utilities
Dear Chairman Feinstein and Senator Kennedy:
I am writing to you on behalf of Colorado Springs Utilities to
request your support for appropriations included in the President's
recommended budget for FY 2022 to the Bureau of Reclamation, Upper
Colorado Region for the Colorado River Compliance Activities and
Endangered Species Programs.
Colorado Springs Utilities is the largest community-owned, not-for-
profit, four-service utility in the nation. We provide water,
wastewater, gas, and electric utility services to approximately 500,000
residents in the Pikes Peak Region of Colorado. The successful
continuation of the Colorado River Compliance Activities and Endangered
Species Programs are of great importance to Colorado Springs Utilities
and our community. These collaborative programs are critical to
improving, conserving, and recovering endangered fish species, while
maintaining water use and development, ESA compliance, and federal
project authorized purposes.
The President's recommended budget included the following items and
amounts:
Endangered Species Programs: The Endangered Species Programs
provide $5.7 million for the Upper Colorado and San Juan River
Endangered Fish Recovery programs for construction of facilities needed
to recover endangered fish species: $2,500,000 for construction of a
fish barrier at the Farmer's Mutual Ditch diversion structure on the
San Juan River in northwest New Mexico, $500,000 for floodplain habitat
development in northwest New Mexico on the San Juan River, $2,550,000
for rehabilitation of the fish screen and passage at the Grand Valley
Irrigation Company diversion on the Colorado River near Grand Junction
Colorado, and $150,000 for Upper Colorado Program Management for
contracting, budgeting, reporting, contract administration, tracking
expenditures, and addressing issues and concerns associated with
capital project construction.
Colorado River Compliance Activities: The President's budget
requests $21,400,000 for Colorado River Compliance Activities that
includes:
--$8,640,000 for the Upper Colorado and San Juan River Endangered
Fish Recovery Programs to restore critical habitat, enhance
stream flows, maintain fish ladders and screens, augment and
conserve genetic integrity through hatcheries and stocking
efforts, manage non-native and sport fish, and research and
monitoring to provide the scientific basis to guide decision
making.
--$11,360,000 for the Glen Canyon Adaptive Management Program for
scientific investigations, experimentation using Glen Canyon
Dam releases and other tasks required to increase understanding
of how to operate Glen Canyon Dam to meet statutory
requirements, and experimental flow research.
--$1,400,000 for water quality and consumptive use studies to provide
data required to meet legal agreements that regulate the flow
and quality of the river and support consumptive use studies of
water for municipal, industrial, and agricultural uses.
These highly successful, cooperative programs are ongoing
partnerships among the states of New Mexico, Colorado, Utah and
Wyoming, Indian tribes, federal agencies and water, power and
environmental interests. The programs' objectives are to recover
endangered fish species while water use and development proceeds in
compliance with the Endangered Species Act. The programs provide ESA
compliance for approximately 2,500 water projects in the Upper Colorado
River Basin, including every Bureau of Reclamation project upstream of
Lake Powell.
We appreciate the Subcommittee's past support and request the
Subcommittee's assistance for fiscal year 2022 funding to ensure the
Bureau of Reclamation's continued financial participation in and
provision of federal cost sharing for these vitally important programs.
Sincerely.
[This statement was submitted by Earl Wilkinson III, Chief Water
Compliance
Innovation Officer, Colorado Springs Utilities.]
______
Prepared Statement of Colorado Springs Utilities
Dear Chairman Feinstein and Senator Kennedy:
I am writing to you on behalf of Colorado Springs Utilities to
request your support for appropriations included in the President's
recommended budget for FY 2022 to the Bureau of Reclamation, Upper
Colorado Region for the Colorado River Compliance Activities and
Endangered Species Programs.
Colorado Springs Utilities is the largest community-owned, not-for-
profit, four-service utility in the nation. We provide water,
wastewater, gas, and electric utility services to approximately 500,000
residents in the Pikes Peak Region of Colorado. The successful
continuation of the Colorado River Compliance Activities and Endangered
Species Programs are of great importance to Colorado Springs Utilities
and our community. These collaborative programs are critical to
improving, conserving, and recovering endangered fish species, while
maintaining water use and development, ESA compliance, and federal
project authorized purposes.
The President's recommended budget included the following items and
amounts:
Endangered Species Programs: The Endangered Species Programs
provide $5.7 million for the Upper Colorado and San Juan River
Endangered Fish Recovery programs for construction of facilities needed
to recover endangered fish species: $2,500,000 for construction of a
fish barrier at the Farmer's Mutual Ditch diversion structure on the
San Juan River in northwest New Mexico, $500,000 for floodplain habitat
development in northwest New Mexico on the San Juan River, $2,550,000
for rehabilitation of the fish screen and passage at the Grand Valley
Irrigation Company diversion on the Colorado River near Grand Junction
Colorado, and $150,000 for Upper Colorado Program Management for
contracting, budgeting, reporting, contract administration, tracking
expenditures, and addressing issues and concerns associated with
capital project construction.
Colorado River Compliance Activities: The President's budget
requests $21,400,000 for Colorado River Compliance Activities that
includes:
--$8,640,000 for the Upper Colorado and San Juan River Endangered
Fish Recovery Programs to restore critical habitat, enhance
stream flows, maintain fish ladders and screens, augment and
conserve genetic integrity through hatcheries and stocking
efforts, manage non-native and sport fish, and research and
monitoring to provide the scientific basis to guide decision
making.
--$11,360,000 for the Glen Canyon Adaptive Management Program for
scientific investigations, experimentation using Glen Canyon
Dam releases and other tasks required to increase understanding
of how to operate Glen Canyon Dam to meet statutory
requirements, and experimental flow research.
--$1,400,000 for water quality and consumptive use studies to provide
data required to meet legal agreements that regulate the flow
and quality of the river and support consumptive use studies of
water for municipal, industrial, and agricultural uses.
These highly successful, cooperative programs are ongoing
partnerships among the states of New Mexico, Colorado, Utah and
Wyoming, Indian tribes, federal agencies and water, power and
environmental interests. The programs' objectives are to recover
endangered fish species while water use and development proceeds in
compliance with the Endangered Species Act. The programs provide ESA
compliance for approximately 2,500 water projects in the Upper Colorado
River Basin, including every Bureau of Reclamation project upstream of
Lake Powell.
We appreciate the Subcommittee's past support and request the
Subcommittee's assistance for fiscal year 2022 funding to ensure the
Bureau of Reclamation's continued financial participation in and
provision of federal cost sharing for these vitally important programs.
Sincerely.
[This statement was submitted by Earl Wilkinson III, Chief Water
Compliance
Innovation Officer, Colorado Springs Utilities.]
______
Prepared Statement of the Colorado Water Congress
I am requesting your support for appropriations in the President's
recommended budget for FY 2022 to the Bureau of Reclamation, Upper
Colorado Region for the Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery
Program and the San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program.
The budget items and amounts requested in the President's budget for
these programs are described below.
Endangered Species Programs: The Endangered Species Program also
provides $5.7 million for the Upper Colorado and San Juan River
Endangered Fish Recovery programs for construction of facilities need
to recover endangered fish species: $2,500,000 for construction of a
fish barrier at the Farmer's Mutual Ditch diversion structure on the
San Juan River in northwest New Mexico, $500,000 for floodplain habitat
development in northwest New Mexico on the San Juan River, $2,550,000
for rehabilitation of the fish screen and passage at the Grand Valley
Irrigation Company diversion on the Colorado River near Grand Junction
Colorado, and $150,000 for Upper Colorado Program Management for
contracting, budgeting, reporting, contract administration, tracking
expenditures, and addressing issues and concerns associated with
capital project construction.
Colorado River Compliance Activities: The President's budget
requests $21,400,000 for Colorado River Compliance Activities that
includes
--$8,640,000 for the Upper Colorado and San Juan Endangered Fish
Recovery Programs to restore critical habitat, enhance stream
flows, maintain fish ladders and screens, augment and
conservation of genetic integrity through hatcheries and
stocking efforts, manage non-native and sport fish, and
research and monitoring to provide the scientific basis to
guide decision making.
--$11,360,000 for the Glen Canyon Adaptive Management Program for
scientific investigations, experimentation using Glen Canyon
Dam releases and other tasks required to increase understanding
of how to operate Glen Canyon Dam to meet statutory
requirements, and experimental flow research.
--$1,400,000 for water quality and consumptive use studies to provide
data required to meet legal agreements that regulate the flow
and quality of the river and support consumptive use studies of
water for municipal, industrial, agricultural uses.
This funding for the recovery programs is authorized by P.L. 106-
392, as amended.
These highly successful, cooperative programs are ongoing
partnerships among the states of New Mexico, Colorado, Utah and
Wyoming, Indian tribes, federal agencies and water, power and
environmental interests. The programs' objectives are to recover
endangered fish species while water use and development proceeds in
compliance with the Endangered Species Act. The programs provide ESA
compliance for approximately 2,500 water projects in the Upper Colorado
River Basin, including every Reclamation project upstream of Lake
Powell.
I appreciate the Subcommittee's past support and request the
Subcommittee's assistance for fiscal year 2022 funding to ensure the
Bureau of Reclamation's continuing financial participation in and
provision of federal cost sharing for these vitally important programs.
Sincerely.
[This statement was submitted by Doug Kemper, Executive Director,
Colorado Water Congress.]
______
Prepared Statement of the Columbia Basin Development League
Chairman Feinstein, Ranking Member Kennedy, members of the
Subcommittee, thank you for giving the Columbia Basin Development
League (League) the opportunity to submit testimony on the Bureau of
Reclamation's budget for fiscal year 2022. This testimony is submitted
on behalf of the League, its members, and stakeholders. The League is
made up of farmers, businesses, civic and economic groups, and
individuals that recognize the importance of completing the Bureau of
Reclamation's Columbia Basin Project (CBP). The CBP is the largest
Reclamation project in the U.S. and generates over $5.81 billion in
annual, cumulative economic activity. The League was organized in the
early 1960's to support the CBP so as to ensure delivery of essential
water supplies to highly productive agricultural land in Washington
State.
The League's long-term goal is full development of the CBP; but
today it remains about 3/4 developed. And while the CBP is an existing
line item in the Bureau of Reclamation's budget, we request an increase
to that line item with funding dedicated to a critical economic and
environmental issue: the decline of the Odessa Aquifer. The Odessa
Aquifer is on the eastern-most side of the CBP in a region authorized
to receive water. The State of Washington issued ground water permits
in the 1960's and 1970's so agricultural and economic development could
begin in the area while local communities waited for the federal
government to build out the CBP. As already mentioned, the CBP is 3/4
completed. While communities and farmers waited, ground water levels
severe declined in the Odessa region.
Saving the Odessa Aquifer would keep and create jobs in both the
near and long term, maintain agricultural production, improve food
security, protect and bolster economic vitality of Eastern Washington's
communities, and fulfill a federal commitment--decades in the making--
by providing access to the critical resource of water.
Since 1980, ground water levels in the Odessa area have dropped
approximately 200 feet. In some cases, ground water must be pumped from
wells as deep as 2,400 feet. Pumping water from this depth is costly
and water found at this depth is of poor quality: high sodium
concentrations, and often requiring treatment before use. Numerous
farmers, and increasingly, municipalities drawing from the same aquifer
have wells that are no longer productive, or produce water of such poor
quality that is not useable. As the aquifer continues to decline, well
failures increase.
Many parts of the United States are dealing with declining aquifers
and share the economic consequences. However, the ground water supplies
in the Odessa, unlike many other areas, can be replaced with a
sustainable supply of surface water. The water and associated water
rights are available and already secured. However, the water delivery
infrastructure necessary to secure the entire region's economic
vitality needs to be completed.
To solve this issue, the Odessa Ground Water Replacement Project
(OGWRP) was established as the preferred alternative in the 2012 Odessa
Subarea Special Study Final Environmental Impact Statement. OGWRP seeks
to supply surface water from the CBP to irrigate land currently using
ground water (as planned by the Bureau of Reclamation for build-out of
the CBP). In addition to other dedicated CBP funding, the OGWRP
received $1.28 million in formulated funding and $222,000 in additional
capacity in FY2021. The President's FY2022 budget request includes
$27,985,000 for the CBP. A portion of these funds would be used for a
variety of programs, including the phased development of the OGWRP.
We respectfully request Congress invest an additional $18,525,000
specifically for the OGWRP in FY2022.
The OGWRP is an environmental and regional economy rescue program.
Ground water supplies conserved, as a result of OGWRP, will be reserved
for domestic and municipal uses while preserving highly productive
irrigated lands that drive thousands of jobs in the region. The program
has completed all required environmental, water rights and Endangered
Species Act reviews and is already in phased construction. A series of
pumping plant and pipeline systems are being built along East Low Canal
to serve land now irrigated from deep wells. The first system to be
constructed at East Low (EL) canal mile 47.5 began operating this
irrigation season. Three more systems are in the design phase. Our
request of this subcommittee is for the necessary funding to complete
those designs and begin design on additional systems required to
implement Reclamation's preferred alternative for the program, which
has a positive benefit/cost ration allowing Reclamation investment. Our
request also includes $1,676,000 to automate East Low Canal (ELC)
gravity head gates to adjust for fluctuations resulting from conveyance
of new pump plant diversions. The automated gates will create
consistent lateral flows regardless of canal fluctuations, reducing
waste and labor and resulting in water conservation and safe
operations.
The State of Washington and local land owners recognize the vital
importance of finding a sustainable water supply. Since 2005, the state
has contributed over $125 million in funding for projects to supply
water to the Odessa region. This includes construction of major
infrastructure components (including structures like siphons) which
become the property of the federal government upon completion. Local
landowners also invest in this project through the repayment of
municipal bonds secured by the East Columbia Basin Irrigation District.
These are significant investments in federally-owned projects.
Funding for OGWRP presents an excellent opportunity for federal
investment in an innovative infrastructure project for rural and
underserved communities. Additional funding will specifically help
complete expansion of the East Low Canal and build out the pump and
pipeline infrastructure necessary for surface water deliver to farmers.
These are shovel ready projects that are vital for the continued
development of the CBP as well as the preservation of groundwater for
multiple municipalities across the region. Details for the various
components are provided below. Without OGWRP, the aquifer will continue
to decline at an unsustainable rate and both agricultural water
supplies and the domestic water supply of many underserved communities
will dry up. Allocating an additional $18,525,000 to the Bureau of
Reclamation for OGWRP will help save these communities and protect
annual economic activity that sustains the region.
The League recognizes the Senate Committee on Appropriations, and
the Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development face numerous
challenges as a part of the FY2022 appropriations process. We greatly
appreciate the efforts of the Appropriations Committee as it works to
address these challenges. We also appreciate the support and work of
the Bureau of Reclamation, the State of Washington, and Washington's
Congressional delegation. Their efforts are integral to meeting current
and future water supply needs.
Chairman Feinstein and Ranking Member Kennedy, thank you again for
giving the League the opportunity to provide testimony and thank you
for your efforts to fund our nation's water infrastructure. Please let
us know if the League and its members can be of assistance to you
during this process.
Respectfully.
[This statement was submitted by Vicky Scharlau, Executive
Director, Columbia Basin Development League.]
______
Prepared Statement of the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission
Madam Chair and members of the subcommittee, the Columbia River
Inter-Tribal Fish Commission (CRITFC) is pleased to share its view on
the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) FY2022 budget. My testimony
addresses FY 2022 and includes a summary of Corps projects developing
in coming years. We specifically identify the following FY 2022
requests:
--$25.7 million--Columbia River Fish Mitigation--WA-OR-ID
--$22M--Columbia River Biological Opinion
--$3.7M--Willamette River Biological Opinion
--$3.0 million--John Day Mitigation/The Dalles Dam Pre-Engineering
and Design with FY 2022 Workplan support
--$1.01 million--Tribal Partnership Program (TPP) for a Columbia
River Zone 6 Tributary Delta Feasibility Study to address
sediment management issues
The CRITFC request will support implementation of the Columbia
River and Willamette River Biological Opinions, continued funding
support for the full implementation of the John Day/The Dalles Dam
Mitigation program and funds for the initiation of a Tribal
Participation Project focused on Columbia River Bonneville Pool
sediment issues. We appreciate the support in FY 2021 for Corps-
implemented Pacific lamprey projects in fulfillment of federal
commitments under the Columbia Basin Fish Accords.
Program Description: The Corps' Columbia River Fisheries Mitigation
(CRFM) program mitigates impacts to anadromous fish resulting from the
development and operation of federal dams on the mainstem Columbia and
Snake rivers. Authority for this program is contained in the original
Congressional dam construction and operation authorities.
The partnership between the Corps and the Lower Columbia River
treaty tribes has expanded under the Columbia Basin Fish Accords.
Multiple projects have been developed, funded, and completed. The
record of success drove the agreement for a four-year extension of the
Accords (2019-2022) to support projects in progress or in development.
Reviewing the BiOp and Proposed Action (PA) and commitments made in
those documents, this level of funding is inadequate to meet these
needs let alone additional needs that the tribes and other regional
entities have identified. In addition, new needs are becoming more
apparent such as the need for additional detections both upstream and
downstream of Bonneville Dam to ensure reach survivals can be
calculated. The new flex spill program has, through its success of
diverting more migrating fish away from powerhouses, reduced detections
and thus made it challenging if not impossible to estimate reach
survivals. Future management actions will be based on this information.
The BiOp and PA also outline a need to evaluate the flex spill program
yet no funds have been identified for this.
The operation and management budget (O&M) has been flat funded and
continues to be so. However, the new BiOp and PA has shifted more
actions and responsibilities to the O&M budget, such as avian
dissuasion and monitoring in the estuary. When one considers inflation
and salary increase, it is apparent that this is an untenable position.
These plans are requiring more from a budget that is already stretched
too thin. The O&M budget is struggling to maintain the existing system
let alone dealing with the aging infrastructure without even
considering new obligations.
The Tribes are concerned that the Administration's trend in recent
years of decreases to the CRFM budgets and this year's more than 29%
proposed decrease in funding for CRFM--Columbia River leaves critical
projects without budget support resulting in, for example:
--Reduction in management for avian predators, including the
estuary and dam tailraces;
--Delay of the Bonneville Dam Second Powerhouse fish guidance
improvement that would benefit both power operations and
fish survival;
--Reductions by half the Corps' contribution to habitat
improvements in the Columbia River estuary;
--Reductions by more than half of funds needed for research and
development in the CRFM project area; and
--Additional pressures on already under-funded operations and
maintenance budgets.
Recently, the Corps expanded the purposes of CRFM to include
implementation of fish passage related improvements to Corps dams in
the Willamette River basin and implementation of lamprey passage
improvements at mainstem dams on the Columbia and Snake rivers through
agreements detailed in the Columbia Basin Fish Accords. The revised
cost and schedule from the Corps is calculated at $2.79 million through
2023. The Administration's request is contrary to that schedule.
John Day & The Dalles Fish Mitigation: Achieving In-place, In-kind
Mitigation
Prior to hydropower development, the mainstem Columbia River from
Celilo Falls to the confluence of the Snake River was one of the most
important spawning and early rearing areas for upriver bright fall
chinook. Construction of The Dalles Dam in 1957 and John Day Dam in
1967 inundated much of the available spawning habitat for fall chinook
in the mainstem Columbia River. In the John Day and The Dalles Dam
Mitigation program (JDTDM) Congress authorized the Corps to mitigate
for anticipated future natural production losses caused by construction
of the dams as early as 1948. Funding for JDTDM was used initially to
produce fall chinook at Bonneville State Hatchery and Spring Creek
National Fish Hatchery, both of which are located downstream from the
areas affected by the John Day and The Dalles dams and centuries old
tribal fisheries.
While several production program adjustments have occurred in the
last 10 years, additional work is still needed to meet in-place/in-kind
mitigation objectives under the COE's JDTDM program to put the right
fish (upriver bright fall chinook) in the right places (in the area
impacted by the John Day and The Dalles Dams). Additional hatchery
infrastructure is necessary to accommodate increased production of
upriver bright fall chinook at an expanded Ringold Springs Hatchery or
alternative to be developed by the Corps in FY 2022. To implement the
plan developed in collaboration by the Corps, the treaty tribes and
state co-managers and federal fish agencies, we anticipate the Corps
will make a budget request for design and construction at the Ringold
Springs Hatchery or other suitable alternative for FY 2022.
Pacific Lamprey Restoration Projects Restarted with FY 2020 Workplan
Support
The Corps and the Commission's member tribes have been implementing
a multi-year lamprey plan while simultaneously implementing high
priority lamprey actions. The Columbia Basin Fish Accords have given
both flexibility and stability to tribal projects and the contracting
process. We are able to plan projects over longer--more meaningful--
timeframes and adjust tasks between years, where necessary, for the
good of the project or to address regional needs. The result is
improved and more efficient projects and process. And the lamprey
resource has responded, as measured through increased counts at
mainstem Columbia River dams, increases in volitional returns of adults
to the tributaries (guided by larval pheromones), documented spawning
success, increases in larval abundance, and detections of translocation
offspring and upper Columbia Basin siblings in the mainstem as
outmigrants and in adult collections from the ocean. The long and
complex life cycle of Pacific lamprey ( up to 10 years from hatching
to returning adults), combined with the lack of homing, requires a
long-term strategy to address critical uncertainties and support
conservation and restoration efforts. However, the numbers remain well
below historical accounts of lamprey populations throughout the
Columbia Basin. It should be noted that the benefits that lamprey
provide to other fish and wildlife species cannot be overstated.
The Tribal-Corps lamprey technical team has worked collaboratively
to identify priority lamprey actions throughout the Accord and Accord
Extension periods. We are grateful for the robust commitment of project
funds in the FY2021 Workplan in fulfillment of the Corps' four-year
Accord extension. The Corps, CRITFC member tribes, and others are
prioritizing the work to be accomplished with this funding. Priority
actions being discussed include (but are not limited to) evaluating
juvenile lamprey survival and downstream passage success through
Columbia and Snake river dams, modifying fishways and lamprey-specific
structures to improve upstream adult passage, and upgrading tribal
translocation program infrastructure. Workplan funding has given
assurance these projects will go forward, the investments made in the
prior 12 years of work under the Accords will be protected, and lamprey
populations will begin to reverse their precipitous decline. Based on
the current inventory of unfunded projects, we expect that similar
workplan commitments will be on-going into the foreseeable future.
We ask Congress to fully support the Columbia River and Willamette
River Biological Opinions through the Columbia River Fish Mitigation
program above the request to include all capability identified by the
Corps. These tribal recommendations total $25.7 million for FY2022.
History and Background of the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish
Commission
CRITFC was founded in 1977 by the four Columbia River Treaty
Tribes: Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation,
Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon,
Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, and the Nez Perce
Tribe. CRITFC provides coordination and technical assistance to these
tribes in regional, national and international efforts to protect and
restore our shared salmon resource and the habitat upon which it
depends. Our collective ancestral homeland covers nearly one-third of
the entire Columbia River basin in the United States, an area the size
of the State of Georgia.
In 1855, the U.S. entered into treaties with the four tribes \1\
whereupon we ceded millions of acres of our homelands to the U.S. In
return, the U.S. pledged to honor our ancestral rights, including the
right to fish in all Usual and Accustomed locations. Unfortunately, a
perilous history brought the salmon resource to the edge of extinction
with 12 salmon and steelhead populations in the Columbia Basin listed
under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Treaty with the Yakama Nation, June 9, 1855, 12 Stat. 951;
Treaty with the Tribes of Middle Oregon, June 25, 1855, 12 Stat. 963;
Treaty with the Umatilla Tribe, June 9, 1855, 12 Stat. 945; Treaty with
the Nez Perce Tribe, June 11, 1855, 12 Stat. 957.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The CRITFC tribes are globally recognized leaders in fisheries
restoration and management working in collaboration with state,
federal, and private entities. We are principals in the region's
efforts to halt the decline of salmon, lamprey, and sturgeon
populations and rebuild them to levels that support ceremonial,
subsistence, and commercial harvests. To achieve these objectives, our
actions emphasize 'gravel-to-gravel' management including
supplementation of natural stocks, restoring healthy watersheds, and
committing to collaborative efforts.
Ongoing and Future Need Areas Addressing Sedimentation in Lower
Columbia Pools
Years of sediment accumulation behind federal hydropower projects
in the lower Columbia River, and especially at the mouths of
tributaries, is affecting the physical and biological characteristics
of project reservoirs.
These characteristics are manifesting in ecosystem distress,
navigation problems, and limiting access to treaty-protected tribal
fishing access sites. Sediment accumulation affects invasive and non-
native species management, anadromous fish migration, water quality
temperature impairment, tribal fishing sites access, navigation
hazards, increased need and risk in providing emergency response, and
increased risk for recreational activities.
The Corps, in partnership with the Columbia River treaty tribes,
have initiated work under the Water Resources Development Act and the
Tribal Partnership Program on a feasibility study to identify a suite
of possible management actions needed to address sediment issues in the
Bonneville Pool on the Washington side of the river. Lessons learned in
this pilot effort will be expanded to the Oregon side of the river as
well as upstream into the other reservoirs created by the Columbia
River Power System.
In summary, through the combined efforts of the four Columbia River
treaty tribes, supported by a staff of experts, we are proven natural
resource managers. Our activities benefit the region while also being
essential to the U.S. obligation under treaties, federal trust
responsibility, federal statutes, and court orders. We ask for your
continued support of our efforts. We are prepared to provide additional
information you may require on our views of the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers FY2022 Budget. Contact: Paul Ward, Director of Governmental
Affairs, CRITFC, warp@critfc.org.
[This statement was submitted by Jeremy Takala, Chairman, Columbia
River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission
______
Prepared Statement of Dolores Water Conservancy District
I am requesting your support for appropriations in the President's
recommended budget for FY 2022 to the Bureau of Reclamation, Upper
Colorado Region for the Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery
Program and the San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program.
The budget items and amounts requested in the President's budget for
these programs are described below.
Endangered Species Programs: The Endangered Species Program also
provides $5.7 million for the Upper Colorado and San Juan River
Endangered Fish Recovery programs for construction of facilities need
to recover endangered fish species: $2,500,000 for construction of a
fish barrier at the Farmer's Mutual Ditch diversion structure on the
San Juan River in northwest New Mexico, $500,000 for floodplain habitat
development in northwest New Mexico on the San Juan River, $2,550,000
for rehabilitation of the fish screen and passage at the Grand Valley
Irrigation Company diversion on the Colorado River near Grand Junction
Colorado, and $150,000 for Upper Colorado Program Management for
contracting, budgeting, reporting, contract administration, tracking
expenditures, and addressing issues and concerns associated with
capital project construction.
Colorado River Compliance Activities: The President's budget
requests $21,400,000 for Colorado River Compliance Activities that
includes:
--$8,640,000 for the Upper Colorado and San Juan Endangered Fish
Recovery Programs to restore critical habitat, enhance stream
flows, maintain fish ladders and screens, augment and
conservation of genetic integrity through hatcheries and
stocking efforts, manage non-native and sport fish, and
research and monitoring to provide the scientific basis to
guide decision making.
--$11,360,000 for the Glen Canyon Adaptive Management Program for
scientific investigations, experimentation using Glen Canyon
Dam releases and other tasks required to increase understanding
of how to operate Glen Canyon Dam to meet statutory
requirements, and experimental flow research.
--$1,400,000 for water quality and consumptive use studies to provide
data required to meet legal agreements that regulate the flow
and quality of the river and support consumptive use studies of
water for municipal, industrial, agricultural uses.
This funding for the recovery programs is authorized by P.L. 106-
392, as amended.
These highly successful, cooperative programs are ongoing
partnerships among the states of New Mexico, Colorado, Utah and
Wyoming, Indian tribes, federal agencies and water, power and
environmental interests. The programs' objectives are to recover
endangered fish species while water use and development proceeds in
compliance with the Endangered Species Act. The programs provide ESA
compliance for approximately 2,500 water projects in the Upper Colorado
River Basin, including every Reclamation project upstream of Lake
Powell.
Dolores Water Conservancy District believes that this program,
which is successfully recovering the four ESA listed Upper Colorado and
San Juan River Basin species, remains our best avenue to sustain our
rural economy in southwestern Colorado in compliance with the necessary
conservation of these fish. Any cessation of these programs would
jeopardize the years of positive progress made to date and have
rippling effects through our rural farming community supported by the
Dolores Project, an integral part of the Colorado Ute Indian Rights
Settlement.
I appreciate the Subcommittee's past support and request the
Subcommittee's assistance for fiscal year 2022 funding to ensure the
Bureau of Reclamation's continuing financial participation in and
provision of federal cost sharing for these vitally important programs.
Sincerely.
[This statement was submitted by Kenneth W. Curtis III, General
Manger,
Dolores Water Conservancy District.]
______
Prepared Statement of the Edison Electric Institute
The Edison Electric Institute (EEI) submits this testimony for the
record to the Senate Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy
and Water Development regarding fiscal year (FY) 2022 carbon-free
energy research, development, demonstration, and commercial
applications (RDD&CA) activities for the Department of Energy (DOE).
EEI is the association that represents all U.S. investor-owned
electric companies. Our members provide electricity for 220 million
Americans and operate in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. As
a whole, the electric power industry supports more than 7 million jobs
in communities across the United States. In addition to our U.S.
members, EEI has more than 65 international electric companies as
International Members, and hundreds of industry suppliers and related
organizations as Associate Members. We are united in our commitment to
get the energy we provide as clean as we can as fast as we can, without
compromising on the reliability or affordability that are essential to
the customers and communities we serve. Overall, carbon emissions from
the electric power sector are at their lowest level since 1978-and
continue to fall. Collectively, EEI's member companies are on a path to
reduce their carbon emissions at least 80 percent by 2050, compared
with 2005 levels, with many companies pledging to reduce their
emissions even further and even faster. As of 2020, the industry is 40
percent below 2005 carbon emission levels. And, 40 percent of our
nation's electricity comes from carbon-free resources.
Existing technologies can get us much of the way to a 100-percent
clean energy future. Completing the work will require new, affordable,
carbon-free, 24/7 technologies. As a result, there is an urgent need to
significantly increase investments in these new clean energy
technologies. Technology will drive the timeline to a 100-percent clean
energy future.
Because of how electric companies are regulated at the state and
federal levels, they cannot invest heavily in RDD&CA of new
technologies; our industry is not like others, such as the defense or
pharmaceutical industries, which spend billions of dollars annually on
research and development (R&D) activities. This is a major reason why
EEI believes we cannot afford a ``business-as-usual'' approach to
federal investments in carbon-free power technologies. The federal
government's RDD&CA activities are a critical resource for our
industry.
EEI has joined with non-governmental organizations to form the
Carbon-Free Technology Initiative (CFTI), which is focused on
implementation of federal policies that can help ensure the commercial
availability of affordable, carbon-free, 24/7 power technology options
by the early 2030s, when EEI's member companies must make investment
decisions that will enable them to reach their longer-term climate
commitments. The CFTI includes EEI and its member electric companies,
Clean Air Task Force, Bipartisan Policy Center, Center for Climate and
Energy Solutions, ClearPath, Great Plains Institute, Information
Technology & Innovation Foundation, Nuclear Energy Institute, and Third
Way.
The CFTI focuses on policy recommendations to advance a number of
key technology areas:
--Long-duration energy storage and advanced demand efficiency;
--Advanced, 24/7, and renewable super hot rock deep geothermal;
--Zero-carbon fuels, such as hydrogen;
--Advanced nuclear energy (both fission and fusion);
--Carbon capture, utilization, and storage; and
--Advanced wind and solar energy systems.
CFTI also supports the creation of a domestic supply chain and
increased demonstration projects for advanced clean energy
technologies.
For FY 2022, CFTI recommends a nearly tripling of funds above the
roughly $4.2 billion authorized levels for specific DOE RDD&CA programs
for carbon-free power-sector technologies. Funding projects beyond R&D
will be critical to achieving deep carbon reductions. At a minimum, key
new authorizations from the Energy Act of 2020 should be fully funded
in FY 2022 and should be increased above authorization levels through
FY 2025.
The President's budget request for FY 2022 invests more than $10
billion in clean energy innovation across multiple non-defense
agencies, DOE's budget request would make historic investments that
would lay the foundation to build a clean energy economy and help the
electric power industry reach its long-term carbon emission reduction
goals.
We are very pleased that the President's budget request includes
$400 million to create the Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations at
DOE. This new entity would become the hub for scaling up near- and mid-
term clean energy technology projects and provide awards for multi-year
demonstration projects in conjunction with private-sector partners. The
CFTI recommends the creation of the new office. It is essential that
the federal government play a role in demonstrating new clean energy
technologies to help provide enough certainty about the performance of
a technology that lenders, plant owners, and customers consider it to
be sufficiently de-risked for commercial use.
advanced nuclear
We recommend $2.23 billion in FY 2022 funding for high-priority
advanced nuclear programs. This would include:
--Doubling appropriations to at least $340 million per FY for 5 years
for nuclear fission technologies R&D within the light water
sustainability reactor program, advanced reactor technology
program, and used nuclear fuel disposition program;
--Providing up to $900 million per FY for the next 5 years to ensure
that the Versatile Test Reactor (VTR) will come online by 2026;
--Establishing multi-year funding sufficient to support the existing
Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program (ARDP) and providing
continuing rounds of risk reduction awards to the projects
awarded under ARDP's first phase, as well as expanding ARDP to
fund additional projects, including additional awards for the
commercial demonstration of 3 Generation IV reactor designs and
an award for the commercial demonstration of 2 micro-reactor
technologies that can be commercially deployed by 2027;
--Maintaining funding for existing programs benefitting advanced
reactor development, such as the advanced small modular reactor
cost-share; and
--Providing additional and consistent funding of at least $150
million per FY for at least 5 years to the Nuclear Regulatory
Commission for advanced reactor licensing.
In addition, we recommend providing $1.2 billion per FY for the
next 5 years for the applied fusion program that was authorized in the
Energy Act of 2020.
energy storage
We recommend funding critical energy storage programs at the $648
million authorized level for FY 2022 and focusing the funding on
longer-duration storage. We support:
--Maintaining or increasing funding for Energy Storage Grand
Challenge, Grid Storage Launchpad, HydroWIRES, and ARPA-E DAYS;
--Increasing appropriations for the Grid Modernization Initiative
(GMI) and ARPA-E's Green Electricity Network Integration
(GENI);
--Establishing a financial assistance program to support demand
efficiency R&D and pilot demonstrations involving upgraded
software platforms, power system planning tools, and modeling
platforms; and
--Directing DOE to utilize existing grant funding programs to
prioritize pilot demonstration projects involving the
integration of demand efficiency technologies.
zero-carbon fuels
We recommend appropriating $3.43 billion in FY 2022 for high-
priority RDD&CA activities for zero-carbon fuels (ZCF), such as
hydrogen. We support:
--Providing DOE with approximately $3 billion annually to support
integrated demonstrations on a variety of use cases with ZCF
and increasing appropriations for ZCF-related RDD&CA efforts to
$400 million per FY;
--Fully funding at FY 2020 levels for at least 5 years (a 5-year, $50
million initiative) the H2NEW consortium and other existing
Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies (HFTO) consortia; and
--Increasing funding for HFTO and other DOE offices to create new
consortia of electric companies and other types of energy and
infrastructure companies to foster one or more integrated ZCF
``value chain'' demonstrations.
carbon capture, utilization, and storage (ccus)
Carbon capture for natural gas facilities is critical given the
essential role that natural gas plays in providing 24/7 electricity as
companies continue to add variable resources to the grid. For FY 2022,
we recommend $4.995 billion for critical CCUS programs. We support:
--Establishing an additional grant program with at least $1.2 billion
per FY for the 5 years that would be available to commercial-
scale carbon capture projects to complete construction;
--Appropriating at least $500 million per FY through FY 2025 to
facilitate the commercialization of large-scale saline storage
locations with the capacity to accept at least 10 million tons
of carbon dioxide (CO2);
--Increasing appropriations by $100 million annually for 5 fiscal
years to provide funding to cover front-end engineering and
design (FEED) studies for commercial-scale capture plants;
--Increasing appropriations to $700 million over the next 5 years for
the Carbon Storage Assurance Facility Enterprise (CarbonSAFE)
program to complete existing projects under Phase VI (covers
six existing projects), and to initiate at least 4 new
CarbonSAFE projects and provide support for their completion
from Phase I to Phase VI;
--Increasing appropriations to $450-650 million per FY for at least 5
years for the Office of Fossil Energy's activities to improve
the cost and performance of capture technologies;
--Providing $20 million for FEED study grants for CO2 transportation
infrastructure.
super hot rock (shr) deep geothermal
We recommend appropriating $100 million in FY 2022 for SHR deep
geothermal, including:
--At least $30 million per FY for 5 years for a dedicated program and
laboratory focus on SHR geothermal innovation through
coordination between ARPA-E and the Geothermal Technologies
Office; and
--$70 million per FY for 5 years to support demonstration projects
under different scenarios.
advanced wind and solar energy
We recommend funding advanced wind and solar programs at the $425
million authorized funding level in FY 2022. In particular, we
recommend identifying specific cost reduction targets and timetables
across the value chain for advanced renewables R&D to help achieve cost
targets by 2030 and amending R&D priorities to include offshore wind,
onshore wind, solar, grid modernization, and end-of-life reuse.
[This statement was submitted by Thomas R. Kuhn, President, Edison
Electric
Institute.]
______
Prepared Statement of the Electric Drive Transportation Association
The Electric Drive Transportation Association (EDTA) is the cross-
industry trade association promoting the advancement of electric drive
technology and electrified transportation. We are writing to support
robust FY2022 funding for the Department of Energy (DOE) electric
transportation programs, including the Vehicle Technologies Program,
Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office, ARPA-E, ARPA-C, Department
of Energy Loan Programs, and Clean Cities. DOE's research, development
and deployment programs speed clean technology innovation, increase
U.S. competitiveness and will play an important role in achieving the
Administration's goals for electric transportation.
EDTA's members represent the entire value chain of electric drive,
including vehicle manufacturers, battery and component manufacturers,
utilities and energy companies, smart grid and charging infrastructure
developers. Collectively, we are committed to realizing the economic,
national security and environmental benefits of displacing oil with
electricity in hybrid, plug-in hybrid, battery, and fuel cell electric
vehicles. The Department's research and work with private partners will
help the many industries that comprise the electric drive ecosystem to
meet net zero emissions goals.
This Committee has consistently recognized that electric
transportation is critical to the effort to reduce emissions, create
good-paying jobs and livable communities and increase U.S.
competitiveness in the global marketplace. In her testimony to the
Subcommittee on May 6, 2021, Secretary Granholm echoed that
recognition, emphasizing the Department's role in addressing climate
change, including over funding opportunities to advance clean energy
R&D projects and the Department's loan programs, including Title 17 and
Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing (ATVM).
The importance of electrifying transportation has been widely
documented. Emissions from the transportation sector have exceeded
those from power plants since 2016. Electric transportation solutions
reduce emissions, while advancing our leadership in global energy
technology markets. The Union of Concerned Scientists studied the total
emissions reductions of electric drive in every region of the country.
The study found that no matter where in the U.S. an EV is charged and
operated, it has fewer total well-to-wheels emissions than the average
gasoline-powered vehicle sold today.
Electrification is also a national security imperative. In 2019,
the transportation sector accounted for approximately 28 percent of the
nation's energy use; 91 percent of that energy came from petroleum
fuels. This reliance is a chronic threat to U.S. energy and economic
security. It also keeps consumers vulnerable to volatile markets and
fluctuating prices for petroleum.
As the global transportation sector electrifies, the U.S. needs to
secure leadership in this market. By 2040, electric vehicles are
projected to account for 58 percent of all passenger vehicle sales and
make-up more than one-third of the global fleet. Electrification is
growing in all transportation applications: 67 percent of municipal
buses, 47 percent of two-wheelers, and 24 percent of light-duty
commercial vehicles are expected to be electric by 2040. International
governments have made clear their intentions to dominate this market.
China is investing heavily in research and development, expanding
efforts to secure critical component materials.
EDTA also supports efforts to strengthen and diversify the battery
supply chain and expand advanced manufacturing capacity in the U.S. We
support the Department's initiatives to fund R&D for advanced battery
materials and the use of ATVM loans to build, update, re-tool, and
expand manufacturing facilities to support this domestic imperative.
DOE's portfolio of electrification programs is vital to addressing
these emissions, security and competitiveness challenges. Specifically,
DOE's Vehicle Technologies Program is a critical element of the
national effort to decarbonize transportation, leveraging private
sector investments to promote innovation in advanced vehicles,
infrastructure and manufacturing chains. The program advances research
in batteries and power electronics, electric drive motors, components
and charging technologies. Increased range, reduced costs, and improved
performance are battery advances supported by the Battery and Electric
Drive Technology subprogram. Critical supporting infrastructure,
including charging systems and codes and standards for communication
with the grid, are being developed in the Vehicle Systems Simulation &
Testing program.
The Vehicle Technologies Program is also advancing electric
alternatives in commercial vehicles. The truck and transit segment is
projected to grow rapidly in the next two decades. Research,
demonstration, and deployment of electric drive technologies for
combination tractors, heavy-duty pickup trucks and vans and vocational
vehicle technologies' systems and components will speed technology
breakthroughs and contribute to cost reductions while providing public
health benefits and energy cost savings throughout the economy.
The SuperTruck 3 Program is an important part of this effort. We
support increased program investment in Class 7 and Class 8 vehicles,
which are a significant part of the commercial fleet. An expanded
program should continue to engage partners from across the
manufacturing chain--chassis original equipment manufacturers,
intermediate and final stage manufacturers, including hybrid system
suppliers, and infrastructure providers--to improve performance in
vocational vehicles.
Through the Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office, DOE is
working with industry to accelerate the availability of fuel cell
electric vehicles, which are essential zero-emission options in the
transportation portfolio. Three light-duty fuel cell vehicles are
commercially available today, with several new models planned for
release through 2023, including buses and trucks in the medium- and
heavy-duty segment. At the same time, hydrogen fueling infrastructure
is being built out as a critical component of this emerging market.
The Department's recently announced Hydrogen Shot is an important
program to reduce the cost of clean hydrogen to advance the deployment
of light-, medium-, and heavy-duty fuel cell vehicles. Developing lower
costing carbon-free hydrogen is a critical step in cutting emissions
for long-haul trucking, last mile delivery vehicles, light-duty
passenger vehicles, and other industrial applications. Hydrogen Shot's
goal of achieving $1 per kilogram for clean carbon--an 80% reduction--
will help create good-paying jobs while supporting American innovation.
We ask that the Subcommittee continue its record of support for
these programs, particularly in vehicle and infrastructure deployment
activities and in early market development, education, validation and
enabling activities. At this early market juncture, public/private
collaborations are especially important in accelerating technology
development and private infrastructure investment.
ARPA-E has advanced pre-commercial technologies such as Robust
Affordable Next Generation Energy Storage Systems (RANGE) and Batteries
for Electrical Energy Storage in Transportation (BEEST) that improve
performance and reduce costs of batteries. The program can also
expedite innovation in critical materials, secondary uses and recycling
of batteries. ARPA-E's role is essential in overcoming high-risk
technological barriers that the private sector may not attempt in the
early stages of research and development.
Similarly, ARPA-C would develop technologies to help move the U.S.
toward a net zero economy by 2050. This new initiative's focus on zero-
emission vehicles and transit systems, carbon-free hydrogen, and energy
storage are key levers in achieving net zero emissions. Reducing
emissions across all segments of the economy will benefit all
communities, especially low-income and BIPOC communities who are
disproportionately affected by poor air quality.
As the Administration has highlighted with its procurement goals,
the federal government can lead the electrification of transportation,
reducing the fleet's energy costs and its carbon footprint. At the same
time, government purchasing power will reinforce private investment in
infrastructure, and promote the development of advanced power and
storage solutions that maximize the potential of electric vehicles as a
grid asset.
EDTA also strongly supports the Clean Cities program. Clean Cities
works with nearly 100 local and regional coalitions to expand
deployment of electric drive and alternative fuel cars and trucks and
recharging/fueling infrastructure. These voluntary and locally driven
efforts have a demonstrated record of success, including the cumulative
displacement of more than 8.5 billion gallons of petroleum with
alternative fuels since the program began in 1993.
We appreciate the Committee's long-standing support for the
important research, development and deployment programs at Department
of Energy. These programs will play an even more critical role in
achieving the Administration's goals for net-zero emissions by 2050 and
in speeding the electrification of the transportation sector. We
respectfully request that appropriations for FY2022 reflect the
magnitude of our national energy, economic and environmental challenges
and the enormous opportunities to address them through electric
transportation innovation.
Thank you for your consideration.
[This statement was submitted by Genevieve Cullen, President,
Electric Drive Transportation Association.]
______
Prepared Statement of the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
We, the undersigned, write today to urge you to support robust
energy efficiency investments at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)'s
Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE). Investing in
energy efficiency is an investment not only in reducing energy costs
for consumers and businesses across the nation; it is an investment in
domestic job creation, manufacturing, competitiveness, and innovation.
Energy efficiency improves energy affordability, security, reliability,
and resilience; it achieves these outcomes by simply doing more with
less. Today, the United States uses two-thirds less energy than it
would otherwise consume without the investments in energy efficiency
since 1980, according to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient
Economy.
Energy efficiency is a workhorse, leading the clean energy sector
at more than 2 million jobs, down from nearly 2.4 million prior to the
pandemic. Energy efficiency jobs are located in 99.7% of counties
across all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Energy efficiency
jobs support families, with workers earning 28% more than the national
median, according to Environmental Entrepreneurs, and cannot be
exported. Furthermore, EERE RDD&D programs enable cost-effective
emissions reductions and energy affordability through innovative
partnerships and focused deployment programs that shepherd emerging
technologies from concept to market, enabling cost reductions for
businesses and consumers, and achieving critical scale needed to avoid
the worst impacts of the climate crisis.
We respectfully request FY2022 regular appropriations funding for
the following DOE programs:
Buildings Technologies (BTO): $530 million to develop innovative,
cost-effective technologies, tools, and solutions that help U.S.
homeowners, consumers, and businesses achieve peak energy efficiency
performance in their buildings across all sectors of our economy.
Robust funding is needed for:
--Residential Buildings Integration (RBI): $80 million for DOE to
collaborate with the residential building industry to improve
the energy efficiency of both new and existing homes. RBI
develops critical technologies, tools, and solutions that help
U.S. consumers and businesses achieve peak efficiency
performance in residential buildings across the country. RBI's
work supports workforce development and training and has
partnerships with thousands of small businesses in this sector,
the construction trades, equipment, smart grid technology and
systems suppliers, integrators, and state and local
governments. The integration research, demonstration and market
transformation activities of RBI are critical as we transform
America's new and existing residential buildings and work
towards the Administration's goal of weatherizing 2 million
homes.
--Commercial Building Integration (CBI): $80 million for the
program's research, development, and evaluation, to help
advance a range of innovative building technologies and
solutions, paving the way for high performing buildings that
could use between 50% and 70% less energy than typical
buildings. CBI works with industry, small businesses, academia,
the national labs, and other entities to advance energy
efficiency solutions and technologies for commercial buildings.
The program, which considers buildings as systems and as part
of the electric grid, continues to be transformative in moving
industry partners to embrace innovation.
--Efficiency Standards, Building Codes, and Test Procedures: $60
million for appliance standards and $100 million for the
Building Energy Codes Program. DOE is responsible for setting
minimum energy efficiency standards for appliances, equipment,
and lighting to ensure new models continue to make progress on
efficiency as technology matures. The Department is far behind
in issuing new appliance standards, making an increased focus
critical. DOE plays an important support and technical
assistance role in the development and implementation of
building energy codes, which are adopted by states and local
governments for new construction and renovations of residential
and commercial buildings, that reflect developments in building
energy efficiency and ``lock in'' savings for the life of the
building. Education, training, and technical assistance have
been woefully underfunded over the past several years and can
be very impactful in assisting in codes' adoption and effective
implementation.
--Emerging Technologies (ET): $160 million for the program to enable
cost-effective, energy-efficient technologies to be developed
and introduced into the marketplace. ET funds and directs
applied research and development (R&D) for technologies and
tools that support building energy efficiency, particularly
electric technologies for a carbon free grid.
--Grid-interactive Efficient Buildings (GEB): $50 million for DOE to
ensure that a high level of energy efficiency is a core element
of this new crosscutting program and a baseline characteristic
for GEBs which are also connected, smart, and flexible. The
Office should engage with the public and private sectors,
including the building and manufacturing industries and state
and local governments, to share information on GEB
technologies, costs, and benefits, and to provide information
to position American companies to lead in this area. Funding
for demonstrations and deployment programs such as Connected
Communities, the Low Carbon Buildings Pilot, and other BTO
deployment activities is encouraged.
Advanced Manufacturing Office (AMO): $800 million to enable the
research, development, demonstration and deployment of industrial
energy efficiency and advanced manufacturing technologies. This level
of funding is intended to accommodate and ambitious agenda of
decarbonizing U.S. manufacturing by midcentury. This goal of dramatic
reductions requires increases in activity level across the office and
some important changes in the orientation of the office's goals. AMO
should expand its efforts from promoting energy efficiency to include
efforts to reduce carbon emissions for manufacturing and reduce the
embodied carbon in manufactured products. Additionally, as AMO rebuilds
its staffing, the office should focus on adding expertise in important
decarbonization technology areas identified in its research road
mapping.
--Energy Management: $10 million for efforts to promote Strategic
Energy Management practices and $30 million for the
establishment of a program to provide competitive grants to
companies for the hiring or designation of plant energy
managers. For Strategic Energy Management, AMO should focus
efforts on small- and medium-sized manufacturing plants.
--Save Carbon Now: $55 million for the Better Plants program to
expand that program to offer comprehensive assessment and
engagements to the 1,500 largest greenhouse gas emitting
manufacturing facilities. These engagements shall include, but
not be limited to, targeted assessments, staff training,
technical analyses of opportunities, and education.
--Industrial Assessment Centers: $25 million for the Industrial
Assessment Centers (IAC) program to expand that program in
order to increase the number of university-based centers to 40;
to establish satellite centers at community colleges, technical
schools, and union training facilities; and to establish an
apprenticeship program with matching funding for IAC students
at facilities that have received assessments in the recent past
to facilitate the implementation of recommendations.
--Flex Tech: $40 million for the establishment of a program that
provides competitive grants to states and tribal governments in
partnership with educational institutions and trade
associations to provide assessments of energy and greenhouse
gas (GHG) reducing measures and loans to implement those
measures to medium sized manufacturers.
--Transformative Technology Adoption: $100 million for the
establishment of a competitive grant program that provides
cost-share payments to manufacturing sites or consortiums that
make first-three, at-scale implementation of transformative
technologies to reduce GHG emissions in the most GHG-intensive
manufacturing processes as determined by the Secretary.
--Existing Low-Carbon Technology: $60 million for the establishment
of a competitive grant program to provide cost-share payments
to manufacturing plants for the installation of underutilized
existing low-carbon technologies.
--Smart Manufacturing: $30 million for support of the development and
adoption of smart manufacturing practices directed towards
small and medium-sized manufacturers. This includes, but is not
limited to, expanded funding for the Clean Energy Smart
Manufacturing Innovative Institute (CESMII) to increase
educational and technical assistance activities directed toward
smart manufacturing adoption.
--Industrial Process Heating Decarbonization: $55 million for the
establishment of a research, development, and deployment effort
by AMO to develop and promote the adoption of technologies that
can dramatically reduce the GHG emissions from process heating
applications. Efforts may include the establishment of one or
more new Manufacturing USA Innovation Institutes that might
focus on electrification and/or hydrogen and low-carbon fuels.
Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP): At least $56 million to
provide project and policy support to all federal agencies, including
$2 million for the Performance Based Contract National Resource
Initiative and at least $20 million for the AFFECT grant program. With
minimal funding, FEMP supports all agencies of the Federal government
in their quest to save energy and money for the American taxpayer while
improving agency infrastructure and addressing deferred maintenance.
FEMP is at the forefront of efforts to improve federal building energy
performance, which is accomplished in part by accessing and leveraging
private capital in performance contracts. The additional private
capital has been used to finance hundreds of projects across two dozen
agencies, creating 30,000 jobs and reducing energy outlays by $8
billion over the next 18 years. Note: Our request for AFFECT represents
a minimum funding request for FY22 as the initial installment towards
the President's request of $400 million for AFFECT, which we strongly
support. AFFECT provides small grants to federal agencies to maximize
their retrofits through performance contracting. AFFECT leverages at
least $10 for every federal grant dollar invested, thereby maximizing
federal infrastructure investments and addressing backlog maintenance.
Weatherization (WAP) and State Energy Program (SEP): $477 million.
Within this amount, at least $325 million is recommended for WAP, with
$10 million for training and technical assistance at DOE, and $21
million for the new Weatherization Readiness Fund. At least $121
million is recommended for State Energy Program grants including $25
million to be used for energy and related air quality in schools. At
least $90 million of the SEP funds shall be utilized for direct formula
grants to the states, with $6 million for technical assistance. Since
1976, WAP has helped make more than 8 million homes more efficient,
saving the average recipient about $4,200 over the lifetime of their
home. R&D investments will continue to make emerging technologies
cheaper and more accessible, but DOE's Weatherization Assistance
Program is particularly important for bringing energy efficiency to
communities and families that need it most. According to the Energy
Information costs, while over 12 million households report being unable
to use their heating or cooling equipment. The Weatherization Readiness
Fund will provide critical repairs to prepare homes for weatherization
while increased training and technical assistance will empower DOE to
implement modernized and innovative practices. Each WAP dollar produces
$4.50 in benefits, including energy savings as well as improved health
and safety. Federal weatherization assistance also helps workers and
small businesses, directly supporting more than 8,500 jobs and
supporting thousands more in related industries. SEP leverages over $10
for every federal dollar invested and saves over $7 for every federal
dollar invested. In addition to energy efficiency and renewable energy
programs, SEP is critical for dealing with cyber security and energy
emergency preparedness and response. SEP is extremely flexible and is
the basis for a variety of partnership programs.
U.S. Energy & Employment Report (USEER): $2 million for the Office
of Policy to complete the annual U.S. energy employment report that
includes a comprehensive statistical survey to collect data, publish
the data and provide a summary report. The information collected will
include data related to employment figures and demographics in the U.S.
energy sector. The report presents a unique snapshot of energy
efficiency employment in key sectors of the economy, including
construction and manufacturing.
Energy Information Administration: $135 million to continue
important data collection, analysis, and reporting activities on energy
use and consumption including the Commercial Buildings Energy
Consumption Survey and the Residential Buildings Energy Consumption
Survey.
We would urge the Subcommittee to consider additional funding
either through regular appropriations or supplemental funding in the
event an energy/infrastructure package is considered.
In the event that opportunity presents itself, we would urge the
Subcommittee to consider the following additional items:
--Title VI of the House-passed, FY21 House Energy and Water
Development Appropriations Bill as a starting point to fund the
State Energy Program (SEP)($730 million--$3.8 billion if
adjusted for inflation from the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act [ARRA]) (for base, formula funds),
Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)($3.25 billion--$6.2
billion if adjusted for inflation from ARRA) and the Energy
Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) ($2.25
billion--$3.9 billion if adjusted for inflation from ARRA)
(distributed via the statutory formula, with an increase for
the competitive fund);
--Federal Energy Management Program's (FEMP) incremental AFFECT grant
funding if not fully funded in annual appropriations as
requested in the President's FY22 Budget Request of $400
million;
--Advanced Manufacturing Office (AMO) large manufacturing energy
audits and tech assistance ($1 billion over ten years),
establishment of a program at DOE to support the hiring of
energy managers by paying a portion of annual salary costs ($1
billion over ten years), and a federal program to provide
grants to states to fund follow-up project implementation
following assessments ($1 billion over ten years);
--Building Technology Office (increase to $100 million for building
energy codes training and technical assistance and an increase
of $50 million for grid interactive efficient buildings);
--HOPE for HOMES program to advance workforce training and
residential retrofit rebates supported by the President's
Budget Request ($2 billion); and
--``Open Back Better'' (Smith/Blunt-Rochester legislation to fund
resilience upgrades at mission-critical facilities with private
financing for energy efficiency and renewable energy
investments), which is scalable and could be implemented
through the existing SEP and AFFECT programs.
We stand ready to work with Congress, the White House, and federal
agencies, to identify ways the U.S. can improve the affordability and
access of energy-efficient technologies, unlock utility savings for
consumers, reduce energy-related carbon emissions, and improve public
health.
Sincerely.
A. O. Smith
Acuity Brands Lighting Inc.
Alliance to Save Energy
American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE)
Association of Energy Engineers (AEE)
Building Performance Association (BPA)
Digital Climate Alliance (DCA)
E4TheFuture
Environmental and Energy Study Institute
Federal Performance Contracting Coalition
Intel Corporation
International Copper Association
Institute for Market Transformation (IMT)
National Association of State Community Services Programs (NASCSP)
National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO)
Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)
Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association (PIMA)
Schneider Electric
U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)
Uplight
______
Prepared Statement of the Federal Energy Management Program
Chairman Leahy, Ranking Member Shelby, and members of the
Subcommittee, as you deliberate on the important programs to be funded
in the FY22 appropriations bills, we respectfully request that $36
million be allocated to the Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) in
Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) at the
Department of Energy (DOE) with an additional $400 million designated
to the FEMP Federal Energy Efficiency Fund (FEEF), also known as AFFECT
grants.
We also request the following report language be included:
``The Committee directs FEMP to prioritize the full amount
allocated to the Federal Energy Efficiency Fund (FEEF) (formally
referred to as AFFECT) to continue to be used to leverage private
sector investment in federal infrastructure to ensure maximum overall
investment in resiliency, efficiency, emissions reductions and
security. Funding should be directed to projects that achieve a 5-1
return for each federal dollar through public-private partnerships like
energy savings performance contracts (ESPCs) and utility energy service
contracts (UESCs).''
The President's FY22 Budget request included $400 million to be
FEMP with an increase in the funding for FEEF. The FPCC recommends that
this funding continue to be leveraged with performance contracting to
address resiliency, backlog maintenance, critical upgrade and
maintenance needs, and other infrastructure on our federal sites such
as military bases, VA hospitals and GSA building. The FPCC knows that
we can address such critical infrastructure needs using much less
dedicated federal dollars through performance contracting and the FEEF
program facilitates just that.
The FPCC believes that using smaller amounts of appropriated
dollars for particular priorities such as cybersecurity and resiliency
will net more: more dollars invested in the federal government, more
resiliency, more savings over time, and more attention to operations
and maintenance, and replacement costs. In fact, fewer dollars can be
appropriated overall if they are leveraged with private sector dollars
allowing not only the ability to focus precious federal resources on
mission, but also transferring the risk of projects to the private
sector. With this increase in the FEEF program, hundreds of additional
buildings and facilities across the agencies can utilize grants to make
reduce the carbon emissions from its facilities and make these
buildings more efficient.
FEMP is the appropriate place for these dollars as they will be
available to leverage performance contracting for all federal agencies.
For the past several years, FEMP has provided small amounts of
appropriated dollars to leverage performance contracting through the
AFFECT Grant program. The $11 million appropriated in FY2020 was
invested in 16 projects that when combined with the investment from the
private sector could surpass $439 million. These projects, which focus
on new technologies and resiliency, will help agencies across the
federal government address backlog maintenance, which the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) estimates is $169 billion government wide.
It would specifically address the $9-15 billion in energy related
backlog maintenance already identified in Congressionally mandated
audits (EISA 2007, Section 432), which must now be addressed after the
passage of the Energy Policy Act of 2020 included as part of the
omnibus package.
FEMP, with very minimal funding, supports all agencies of the
federal government in their quest to save energy and money for the
American taxpayer while improving aging infrastructure and addressing
deferred maintenance. The most significant activity of FEMP, and that
which utilizes most of its funding, is to support performance
contracting throughout the government.
In an Energy Savings Performance Contract (ESPC) or Utility Energy
Savings Contract (UESC), the private sector works with the government
customer to develop a project, but then the private company implements
that project, measures and verifies savings every year, and guarantees
that the savings will accrue. The private sector is repaid out of these
guaranteed utility bill savings allowing for no added expenditures by
the federal government. Since inception, ESPCs have achieved over $20
billion in guaranteed energy savings across the federal government.
FEMP's role in this is instrumental. It provides the overall
contract for ease of use for agencies, technical and financial
assistance, and training for personnel in all federal agencies.
Additionally, FEMP provides life of contract oversight for every single
ESPC during the performance period. Because agencies are reducing
personnel, this is a critical function and was cited as such by the
Heritage Foundation in a recent report as a necessary FEMP role.
Utilizing performance contracting to address infrastructure
improvements instead of using appropriations funds for direct services
is a commonsense approach that reduces risk to the federal government
and ensures that projects are well managed since the private sector
partner must guarantee performance to get paid.
Over the past few years, when appropriated dollars have been
scarce, FEMP funding has leveraged between $800 million and $1.4
billion in private investment in federal infrastructure with no added
cost to the federal government, using money from existing funding
streams. A 2013 report by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL)
titled Beyond Guaranteed Savings: Additional Cost Savings Associated
with ESPC Projects found that for a typical ESPC the actual cost
savings to the federal government is 174% to 197% of the guaranteed
savings by the contractor.
The members of Federal Performance Contracting Coalition (ABM,
AECOM, Ameresco, Constellation, CEG Solutions, Energy Systems Group,
Honeywell, Johnson Controls Inc., Noresco, Siemens, Schneider Electric,
SitelogIQ, Southland Energy, and Trane (an Ingersoll Rand company) know
firsthand how impactful ESPCs are in saving energy costs, taxpayer
money, and creating jobs in every state in the country. Our members
represent approximately 95% of the Energy Savings Performance Contracts
(ESPCs) in federal facilities.
Thank you for your consideration of our request.
[This statement was submitted by Ms. Jennifer Schafer, Executive
Director,
Federal Energy Management Program.]
______
Prepared Statement of the Federation of American Societies for
Experimental Biology
summary
Federal investments in fundamental research have led to remarkable
progress in the biological and biomedical sciences. Basic research was
the groundwork for the speed--months instead of years--in the
development of COVID-19 vaccines, and pre-clinical research, such as
animal studies, has been essential to every step of achieving medical
progress.
Despite Congress' bipartisan support for investing in science,
federal funding for research has not kept pace, posing a threat to our
nation's competitiveness. We face a real threat of losing our edge in
industries such as biotechnology if we do not prioritize increasing
investments in science and building a diverse workforce.\1\ The U.S.
spends less on research and development (R&D) than many countries. If
the U.S. is to be prepared to respond to future threats, our scientific
leadership must progress. According to Science Is Us, there is the
added benefit of jobs. STEM supports 69 percent of U.S. gross domestic
product, touches two out of three workers, and generates $2.3 trillion
in tax revenue.\2\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ NSF Science Indicators 2018.
\2\ STEM and the American Workforce. You've heard it before: STEM
jobs--...by Science is US Medium.
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The federal government should commit to robust, predictable, and
sustained funding increases for science agencies.
the doe office of science
The DOE Office of Science (SC) is the nation's largest funder of
basic physical sciences research. Transformative innovations and
technologies can be traced to its work, including solar cells,
superconductors, and nanotechnology.
Agencies like NIH, NSF, and DOE SC work in concert to advance
research in key areas including artificial intelligence and genomics.
SC supports the network of DOE national laboratories and builds and
operates the most sophisticated, world-class scientific user facilities
used by over 34,000 researchers from universities, industry, and other
federal agencies. National Labs were integral to the creation of the
National Virtual Biotechnology Laboratory and the COVID-19 High
Performance Computing Consortium that brought together the best minds
to address Covid.
Recent budget increases have allowed the office to proceed with key
facility upgrades. However, for the U.S. to remain at the forefront of
science and technology, Congress must sustain and expand DOE SC
infrastructure investments. A FY 2022 budget of $7.4 billion ($380
million above FY 2021) would enable continued critical facilities
upgrades and support pathbreaking research in emerging areas such as
quantum science.
FASEB FY 2022 recommendation: at least $7.4 billion for DOE SC.
[This statement was submitted by Ellen Kuo, Associate Director,
Legislative
Affairs, FASEB.]
______
Prepared Statement of the Fuel Cell & Hydrogen Energy Association
Chairwoman Feinstein, Ranking Member Kennedy, and members of the
Committee, I would like to thank you for the opportunity to discuss the
funding priorities of the fuel cell and hydrogen industry for Fiscal
Year 2022. My name is Morry Markowitz and I serve as the President of
the Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Association (FCHEA). FCHEA is the
national trade association representing nearly 60 leading companies and
organizations that are advancing innovative, clean, safe, and reliable
fuel cell and hydrogen technologies. FCHEA member organizations
represent the full global supply chain for hydrogen and fuel cells,
including automakers; material, component, stack and system
manufacturers; hydrogen producers and energy companies; trade
associations; utilities; and end users. Collectively, our members
employ hundreds of thousands of people across the country. On behalf of
the members of FCHEA, our organization is requesting $300 million for
hydrogen and fuel cell activities managed by the Hydrogen and Fuel Cell
Technologies Office (HFTO) within the Office of Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy (EERE) for hydrogen fuel and infrastructure research
and development, fuel cell research and development, market
transformation and technology acceleration activities, the H2@Scale
initiative, safety, codes, and standards initiatives for vehicle and
infrastructure safety, and advanced fuel cell and hydrogen component
manufacturing. FCHEA requests $100 million for EERE's Advanced
Manufacturing Office (AMO) to work in conjunction with HFTO on large-
scale hydrogen production, fuel cell supply chain, infrastructure
supply, on-site hydrogen production, and hydrogen for industrial
applications such as materials production and as an alternative heating
source for industrial processes. FCHEA additionally requests $160
million for solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) activities and fossil-based
hydrogen within the Office of Fossil Energy (FE), with $50 million
reserved for the SOFC Program, and $15 million reserved for the Office
of Oil and Natural Gas. This funding is vital to completing work on
fuel cell technologies deployed around the country, as well as fueling
the transition from fossil sources to renewable hydrogen. Finally,
recognizing the versatility and numerous applications of hydrogen and
fuel cells, FCHEA request specific language directing the Department of
Energy to coordinate hydrogen and fuel cell funding across its
different offices to ensure the maximum effectiveness of funding.
Fuel cell and hydrogen energy technologies are capable of
significantly contributing to the widespread decarbonization of
transportation, power generation, heating, and industrial markets,
while providing economic growth through investments and jobs. A recent
report by McKinsey and Company, Road Map to a US Hydrogen Economy,
determined that the hydrogen sector has the potential to generate
700,000 jobs and $140 billion in revenue by 2030. By 2050, that
economic impact could grow to 3.4 million jobs, $750 billion in
revenue, 16% reductions CO2 emissions, 36% reduction in
NOx emissions, and account for 14% of US energy demand.
Fuel cells generate electricity through a combustion-free
electrochemical reaction with hydrogen, with the sole byproduct being
water vapor. Hydrogen is an environmentally friendly fuel, and when
used in a fuel cell or as feedstock in an industrial process, there are
no carbon, NOx, SOx, or particulate matter
emissions. When hydrogen is generated from renewable or low-carbon
sources--such as wind, solar, biomethane, or natural gas with carbon
capture and sequestration--carbon emissions are either completely or
nearly eliminated, or carbon negative.
Today there are nearly 10,000 light-duty, zero-emission fuel cell
vehicles (FCVs) operating in California offered by major automakers,
with more companies planning to enter the marketplace in the near-
future. Fuel cell cars are the only vehicles capable of replicating
today's driving experience of a 300 to 400-mile range on a single tank
of fuel along with refueling in just three to five minutes. Beyond
light-duty cars, fuel cells are being used across the country in more
than 40,000 forklifts, dozens of buses, and several demonstrations of
Class 7 and 8 trucks. Due to the scalability of fuel cells, hard-to-
decarbonize markets such as medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, aviation,
and maritime applications are looking to fuel cells as a zero-emission
alternative for power. McKinsey's US Hydrogen Road Map suggests that by
2030, the fuel cell industry has the capability of reaching 1,200,000
FCV sales, 4,300 hydrogen fueling stations, and $8 billion in annual
investments in the United States.
Fuel cells are also enhancing our capacity, efficiency, and
reliability of our overall energy system. Stationary fuel cells are
commercially available with over 550 megawatts of systems deployed
across the country today at power utility substations, data centers,
cell phone towers, corporate headquarters, schools, universities,
hospitals, and more. Fuel cells are able to provide distributed, clean
primary power to fill needs when renewable power is intermittent, as
well as improve the reliability and stability of an electric grid with
a high penetration of renewable power generation. Fuel cell systems
generate 24/7, clean, load-following power at close to 100% capacity
factors. Compared to other front-of-the-meter distributed energy
resources (DER), the combination of fuel cell high efficiency and
extremely high-capacity factor results in the displacement of more GHG
emissions than equivalent-sized intermittent resources.
Hydrogen is increasingly being viewed as the first viable avenue
for long-term and large-scale seasonal energy storage. Hydrogen energy
storage is a process wherein the surplus of energy created by
renewables during low energy demand periods is used to power
electrolysis, a process in which an electrical current is passed
through water to produce hydrogen. The hydrogen can be stored in large
quantities for weeks or months at a time for later use in a variety of
energy applications. The International Energy Agency predicts that
hydrogen generated from wind will be cheaper than natural gas by 2030.
While the fuel cell and hydrogen industry has been gaining
significant momentum in recent years, this progress could not have been
possible without the support and partnership from the Department of
Energy's fuel cell and hydrogen programs. America is currently the
world leader in fuel cell technologies, however that gap is quickly
tightening due to government interest abroad. 2020 saw one of the
greatest increases of hydrogen interest across the globe, with
countries from in Europe, Asia, North America, and South America
releasing dedicated national hydrogen strategies along with committing
billions of dollars to developing and deploying hydrogen and fuel
cells. For example, Germany plans to invest =9 billion ( $11 billion)
into its hydrogen economy, and France has pledged =2 billion ( $2.4
billion). Spain, Finland, Italy, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands,
Australia, South Korea, Japan, Chile, Canada, India, and China have all
committed to a hydrogen future through new policies or the release of
hydrogen strategies. The European Commission's hydrogen strategy calls
for the installation of 6 gigawatts of renewable hydrogen electrolyzers
by 2024, and 40 gigawatts by 2030. It is important that America
recognizes the importance of hydrogen technologies, as other countries
have, and massively scale up investments or we could risk ceding our
technology leadership abroad.
Immense progress has been made to date through the collaboration of
industry and the DOE through HFTO. The cutting-edge research developed
through DOE funding has led to more than 730 hydrogen and fuel cell
patents, including more than 30 commercial technologies such as fuel
cell catalysts, high-pressure hydrogen tanks, electrolyzers and low
carbon hydrogen production, and fuel cell system components. DOE-funded
research has also cut the cost of automotive fuel cells by 60% in the
last decade, quadrupled durability to over 120,000 miles, cut
electrolyzer stack costs by 80% since 2002. We are excited by Biden
administration's interest in hydrogen and our industry looks forward to
working with DOE to on the recently announced Hydrogen Energy Earthshot
Initiative to accelerate reductions in the cost of hydrogen.
Further support is still needed for early, middle, and late-stage
development, demonstration, and deployment activities to help industry
clear the remaining technical and regulatory barriers to accelerated
adoption of fuel cells and hydrogen energy, and to ensure the
incorporation of these technologies into a grander clean energy plan to
combat the climate crisis. FCHEA is grateful for the past support that
the Senate Energy and Water Development Appropriations Subcommittee has
given to DOE's hydrogen and fuel cell programs. While the funding
levels requested are a significant increase from previous years, we
believe now is the time to double down on hydrogen and fuel cell
technologies to launch the technology into the mainstream. It is
crucial that hydrogen and fuel cells are adequately funded so that they
may become an integral component of America's climate and economic
strategy. We urge the Subcommittee, under your bipartisan leadership,
to continue this support with our FY 2022 appropriations request and
ensure the long-term success of our innovative, sustainable energy
industry. By supporting continued development fuel cell and hydrogen
technologies, America can both mitigate the causes of climate change,
while supporting our economic future and maintaining our nation's
energy technology leadership. Thank you for your consideration.
[This statement was submitted by Morry B. Markowitz, President,
Fuel Cell & Hydrogen Energy Association.]
______
Prepared Statement of the Grand Valley Water Users Association
My name is Mark Harris. I am the General Manager of the Grand
Valley Water Users Association in Grand Junction, Colorado. We are
deeply involved with the Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery
Program. We are requesting your support for appropriations in the
President's recommended budget for FY 2022 to the Bureau of
Reclamation, Upper Colorado Region for the Upper Colorado River
Endangered Fish Recovery Program and the San Juan River Basin Recovery
Implementation Program. The budget items and amounts requested in the
President's budget for these programs are described below.
Endangered Species Programs: The Endangered Species Program also
provides $5.7 million for the Upper Colorado and San Juan River
Endangered Fish Recovery programs for construction of facilities need
to recover endangered fish species: $2,500,000 for construction of a
fish barrier at the Farmer's Mutual Ditch diversion structure on the
San Juan River in northwest New Mexico, $500,000 for floodplain habitat
development in northwest New Mexico on the San Juan River, $2,550,000
for rehabilitation of the fish screen and passage at the Grand Valley
Irrigation Company diversion on the Colorado River near Grand Junction
Colorado, and $150,000 for Upper Colorado Program Management for
contracting, budgeting, reporting, contract administration, tracking
expenditures, and addressing issues and concerns associated with
capital project construction.
Colorado River Compliance Activities: The President 's budget
requests $21,400,000 for Colorado River Compliance Activities that
includes:
--$8,640,000 for the Upper Colorado and San Juan Endangered Fish
Recovery Programs to restore critical habitat, enhance stream
flows, maintain fish ladders and screens, augment and
conservation of genetic integrity through hatcheries and
stocking efforts, manage non-native and sport fish, and
research and monitoring to provide the scientific basis to
guide decision making.
--$11,360,000 for the Glen Canyon Adaptive Management Program for
scientific investigations, experimentation using Glen Canyon
Dam releases and other tasks required to increase understanding
of how to operate Glen Canyon Dam to meet statutory
requirements, and experimental flow research.
--$1,400,000 for water quality and consumptive use studies to provide
data required to meet legal agreements that regulate the flow
and quality of the river and support consumptive use studies of
water for municipal, industrial, agricultural uses.
This funding for the recovery programs is authorized by P.L. 106-
392, as amended.
These highly successful, cooperative programs are ongoing
partnerships among the states of New Mexico, Colorado, Utah and
Wyoming, Indian tribes, federal agencies and water, power and
environmental interests. The programs' objectives are to recover
endangered fish species while water use and development proceeds in
compliance with the Endangered Species Act. The programs provide ESA
compliance for approximately 2,500 water projects in the Upper Colorado
River Basin, including every Reclamation project upstream of Lake
Powell.
We appreciate the Subcommittee's past support and request the
Subcommittee's assistance for fiscal year 2022 funding to ensure the
Bureau of Reclamation's continuing financial participation in and
provision of federal cost sharing for these vitally important programs.
[This statement was submitted by Mark Harris, General Manager,
Grand Valley Water Users Association.]
______
Prepared Statement of Hannon Armstrong
As a leading investor in climate solutions, including energy
efficiency, renewable energy and other sustainable infrastructure
projects, Hannon Armstrong respectfully urges your support for funding
the Federal Energy Management Program (``FEMP''), an important program
that oversees and facilitates the implementation of Energy Savings
Performance Contract (ESPC) and Utility Energy Service Contract (UESC)
activities, which are currently contemplated in the Fiscal Year (FY)
2022 Energy and Water Development Appropriations bill. We urge you to
support an increase in funding for FEMP in FY22.
Hannon Armstrong (NYSE: HASI) has 40 years of experience in
sustainable infrastructure financing. We specialize in providing
preferred or senior level capital to established sponsors and high-
credit quality obligors, such as U.S. federal, state and local
governments, Global 1000 corporations and private developers, for
assets that generate long-term, recurring and predictable cash flows.
Our company provides and arranges debt and equity financing for a
broad range energy efficiency projects that reduce energy usage or the
cost of energy use. We often work with global energy service companies
(ESCOs), which design and install improvements to various building
components, including HVAC systems, lighting, energy controls, roofs,
windows and/or building shells. We originate many of our transactions
through programmatic finance relationships with ESCOs as well as
renewable energy manufacturers, developers, and operators who own and
operate renewable energy projects, including a number of U.S. utility
companies.
In December 2020, we announced that the company has exceeded $6
billion in energy efficiency investments from more than 600 individual
transactions with leading behind-the-meter energy service companies
serving federal, state, local and commercial energy efficiency markets
since 2000. Hannon Armstrong's total investments in energy efficiency
projects have an average CarbonCount(r) score of 0.38 metric tons of
CO2 equivalent (``CO2e'') emissions avoided annually per $1,000
invested, as well as a WaterCount(tm) score of 658 gallons of water
consumption avoided annually for every $1,000 invested. The estimated
21.2 million tons of CO2e avoided emissions over 20 years is equivalent
to the amount of CO2e emissions from 116,390 rail cars of coal, which
would stretch from Annapolis, Md. to Kansas City, Mo. when linked end
to end. The 36.3 billion gallons of water consumption saved by these
investments over the same period could fill three bathtubs for every
person in the United States.
the numerous benefits of espcs
ESPCs are a highly effective public-private partnership model to
improve building energy efficiency. In this budget-neutral approach,
future guaranteed energy savings are used to pay the financing cost of
facility upgrades. Federal ESPCs have been one of the most efficient
and successful programs reducing energy use and carbon emissions while
improving resiliency in the federal built environment. ESPCs allow
federal agencies to procure energy savings and facility improvements
with no up-front capital costs or special appropriations from Congress.
Studies by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory show that, on average,
actual cost savings exceed guaranteed savings for federal ESPC
projects.\1\ Projects under the FEMP ESPC program reported achieving
14.155 million MMBtu in energy savings in FY2019, outperforming
estimates.\2\
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\1\ https://www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2018/12/f58/
2016_savings_espcs.pdf.
\2\ https://info.ornl.gov/sites/publications/Files/Pub150841.pdf.
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ESPCs and UESCs enable agencies to procure energy services and
projects without relying solely on appropriated funds to replace,
operate, and maintain aging energy-using equipment. At no added cost to
the government, ESPCs and UESCs assist agencies and installations in
reducing their energy intensity, saving taxpayer dollars and in many
cases improving mission readiness. These innovative contracts also
require the assurance of financial savings.
ESPCs and UESCs have also resulted in the creation of thousands of
local and un-exportable jobs. According to the Federal Performance
Contracting Coalition (FPCC), for every $10 million of investment in
ESPCs and UESCs an estimated 95 high paying jobs are created. 40 of
these jobs are created in the manufacturing sector, 35 jobs are created
with subcontractors and installers and finally, 20 of the 95 jobs
created are with the ESCOs.
ESPC and UESC contracts are excellent examples of the federal
government leveraging private capital. With more than 350,000 energy-
using buildings and structures representing nearly 2.4 billion square
feet of facilities, the federal government is our nation's largest
energy consumer. Federal agencies have a tremendous opportunity and an
obligation to reduce energy and water use in their operations.
According to the most current data from the Department of Energy, there
are nearly $8 billion in identified energy conservation measures for
federal agencies, which would save the government almost $800 million a
year in energy and water-related costs. Implementing these measures
would avoid approximately 3 million metric tons of CO2e emissions
annually.
ESPCs can and should be used to leverage private sector dollars--
this allows important and often mission critical projects to be
accomplished with far less taxpayer dollars. ESPCs often have a very
strong return on investment, as well as a host of additional benefits,
including accelerated project timelines, reduced energy infrastructure
costs, and low-cost financing. The budget-neutrality of ESPCs ensure
financial stability in both the short- and long-term. Agencies should
prioritize leveraging private sector financing to take full advantage
of these numerous benefits, creating jobs while saving taxpayer dollars
and improving facility performance.
As the federal program responsible for providing services to enable
all agencies to implement successful ESPC and UESC projects, FEMP
provides crucial assistance, guidance, and training. We therefore
strongly urge funding of $36 million for FEMP so it may continue its
vital work to cut energy waste and increase efficiency across the
federal government through the public-private partnerships required
under ESPCs and UESCs. Of that funding, we request $2 million to
support the Performance Contracting National Resource Center (PCNRC), a
hub within FEMP housing all of DOE's best practice resources and
solutions for ESPCs. We also request $400 million for the Assisting
Federal Facilities with Energy Conservation Technologies (AFFECT)
program within FEMP, in alignment with President Biden's budget
request-as long as it continues to leverage private financing to get
the greatest return on investment for the American taxpayer. The AFFECT
program increases resilience and cybersecurity in Federal performance
contracts by leveraging private capital. AFFECT grants can be used to
help fund those energy related measures that typically have very long
paybacks but, when included with an ESPC, can create a deep retrofit
and enhanced resiliency for federal agencies. The Biden FY22 Budget
request prioritizes deep retrofits under AFFECT, in accordance with
these aims.
The AFFECT grant program supports agency projects that spur energy
generation, energy efficiency, and energy storage projects across the
country. In 2020, the program distributed $11 million in grants to 16
federal agency projects, which will lead to a total investment of over
$439 million.\3\ The FY22 funding for FEMP would increase support of
ESPCs, which are a cost-effective way to make much needed upgrades and
increase resiliency of vital federal assets, including military
facilities. FEMP's most important effort is the coordinated and defined
program management of ESPCs for federal agencies. FEMP staff help
agencies use ESPCs in several ways: advising agencies on scoping,
procurement, and performance requirements for energy conservation
measures (ECMs); helping agencies select third-party ESCOs; finalizing
contracting terms and project approval; and monitoring project
implementation and performance.
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\3\ https://www.energy.gov/eere/femp/2020-assisting-federal-
facilities-energy-conservation-technologies-affect-federal-agency.
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FEMP is at the forefront of efforts to improve federal building
energy performance, which is accomplished in part by accessing and
leveraging private capital in performance contracts. The additional
private capital has been used to finance hundreds of projects across
two dozen agencies, creating 30,000 jobs and reducing energy outlays by
$8 billion over the next 18 years. As mentioned, the President
requested $400 million for AFFECT via the Federal Energy Efficiency
Fund--which could be used to leverage at least 10 dollars for every
federal grant dollar invested--and is critical to tackling the backlog
of needed maintenance in our federal infrastructure, while also leading
by example and addressing climate change through supporting clean
energy in buildings.
FEMP is the program ma-nager for the critical ESPC contracting tool
used by federal agencies for the implementation of ESPCs--the
Department of Energy, Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity, Energy
Savings Performance Contract (DOE IDIQ ESPC). These contracts have
historically been instrumental in achieving the aforementioned energy
and cost savings as well as the job creation outcomes for the nation.
Since the inception of the DOE IDIQ ESPCs in 1998, 431 projects have
been awarded and approximately $7.66 billion has been invested in
federal energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements. These
improvements have resulted in approximately 618.7 trillion Btu in life
cycle energy savings and $17.53 billion in cumulative energy cost
savings for the federal government.\4\
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\4\ https://www.energy.gov/eere/femp/awarded-doe-idiq-energy-
savings-performance-contract-projects.
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Fiscal year 2020 was the most successful year in the history of the
DOE IDIQ ESPC program with a record $842 million total project
investment which will generate $1.7 billion in energy and water savings
for the federal government.\5\ We also urge FEMP to increase its
support to military services seeking ESPCs for upgrades to military
facilities across the county. One of the main reasons these
infrastructure and resiliency upgrades remain uncompleted is lack of
appropriated funding. Employing ESPCs to make these much-needed
upgrades is a cost-effective way to increase the resiliency of
important infrastructure systems and the services they provide to base
personnel and operations.
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\5\ https://www.energy.gov/eere/femp/awarded-doe-idiq-energy-
savings-performance-contract-projects.
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Again, we strongly urge a total of $36 million in funding for FEMP,
including $2 million for the Performance Contracting National Resource
Center, alongside $400 million for the AFFECT program--so that FEMP may
continue its vital work as the program manager of ESPCs and the ESPC
DOE IDIQ ESPC contract in FY2022 and beyond. We thank you for providing
this opportunity to submit this testimony and we look forward to
working with you.
[This statement was submitted by Robert Johnson, Senior Vice
President, Hannon Armstrong.]
______
Prepared Statement of the Izaak Walton League of America
The Izaak Walton League of America appreciates the opportunity to
submit testimony concerning appropriations for fiscal year (FY) 2022
for programs under the jurisdiction of the Subcommittee. The League is
a national, nonprofit organization founded in 1922 with 40,000 members
and 200 local chapters nationwide. Our members are committed to
advancing common sense policies that safeguard wildlife and habitat,
support community-based conservation, and address pressing
environmental issues. The following pertains to programs administered
by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Missouri River Recovery Program
construction at $30.4 million, Missouri River Recovery Program
operations and maintenance at $5.2 million, Upper Mississippi River
Restoration Program at $31.17 million, and the South Florida Ecosystem
Restoration Program at $725 million).
Army Corps of Engineers, Construction and Operations and Maintenance,
Missouri River
The Missouri River Recovery Program
The League urges the Subcommittee to reject the President's request
of $8 million for construction for the Missouri River Recovery Program
(MRRP) and instead appropriate $30.4 million for FY 2022 for the MRRP.
This funding level will adequately fund the Army Corps to successfully
implement the Missouri River Recovery Management Plan (Plan) and the
Fish and Wildlife Mitigation Project for the Bank Stabilization and
Navigation Project (BSNP). We ask that the funding meet the Corps
capability level identified in the Environmental Impact Statement for
the Plan, $30.4 million for construction and $5.2 million for
operations and maintenance of existing projects. With this funding, the
Corps, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), states, and other partners
can continue important ecosystem restoration efforts that are producing
long-term ecological and economic benefits.
The requested increased FY 2022 funding would allow the Corps to
fund long neglected aspects of the BSNP Fish and Wildlife Mitigation
Project for the Missouri River. Funding for this critical effort has
been severely lacking in recent years. Mitigation Project goals are
falling further and further behind projections and expectations.
The BSNP Fish and Wildlife Mitigation Project, as authorized by
Section 601(a) of WRDA 1986 and Section 334(a) of WRDA 1999, is
required to offset habitat loses from the Corps' ongoing maintenance
and operation of the Missouri River System. The Fish and Wildlife
Mitigation Project will help reduce Missouri River flooding, improve
water quality, provide for self-sustaining fish and wildlife
populations and increase recreation for families in the basin.
Funding the full capability will enable the Corps to collaborate
with a growing list of landowners willing to help reduce flood risk and
restore critical habitat. Years of declining funding has caused the
Corps to fall further and further behind established habitat and
species targets identified in Congressionally mandated recovery plans.
Over 100,000 acres of previously authorized mitigation that would build
resiliency to flooding and benefit fish and wildlife has not been
secured due to insufficient appropriations for the MRRP. Willing
landowners are anxiously waiting on the Corps to fulfill its BSNP
Mitigation obligations.
With adequate funding, habitat restoration efforts could include
reconnecting portions of the river to floodplain wetlands, bottomland
forests, and native prairies. This will increase the river's capacity
and resiliency and increase the ability to capture carbon and reduce
the movement of nutrients to the Gulf of Mexico. These actions will
also reduce the river's stage and velocity during high flows, while
creating much needed slow and slack water habitat for the pallid and
other fish species during other times of year.
In 2011, the Missouri Department of Conservation and the Nebraska
Game and Parks Commission found recreational spending provides $68
million in annual economic impact to communities along the Missouri
River from Yankton, South Dakota to St. Louis, Missouri. In addition to
the economic boost from tourism, restoration projects support job
creation throughout the entire region. The Corps contracts with local
construction companies, creating jobs, and injecting dollars into local
economies through purchases of materials, fuel, food and lodging. With
the funding requested, the Corps could readily implement more of these
important restoration projects.
Army Corps of Engineers, Construction, Upper Mississippi River
Upper Mississippi River Restoration Program
The League is an active and long-time proponent of restoring the
Upper Mississippi River (UMR) ecosystem. We have supported the Upper
Mississippi River Restoration (subaccount for the Environmental
Management Program) since its inception and continue to support this
vital restoration initiative. We urge the Subcommittee to continue to
provide $33.17 million for the UMRR-EMP as provided in the FY 2021
omnibus.
The Upper Mississippi River is one of the most complex ecosystems
on earth. It provides habitat for 50 species of mammals, 45 species of
reptiles and amphibians, 37 species of mussels, and 241 species of
fish. The need for ecosystem restoration is unquestionable. As the
Corps correctly stated in its study of navigation expansion, this
ecosystem is ``significantly altered, is currently degraded, and is
expected to get worse.'' Researchers from the National Academy of
Sciences have determined that river habitat is disappearing faster than
it can be replaced through existing programs such as the Upper
Mississippi River Restoration (UMRR) program, which was authorized at
$33.2 million annually by Congress in 1999. Since its inception, the
UMRR has restored critical fish and wildlife habitat on more than
100,000 acres across Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, and
Missouri. The UMRR is also able to deliver the restoration of these
acres at the average cost of $3,000 per acre, an impressively low cost.
Our nation relies on a healthy Mississippi River for commerce,
recreation, drinking water, food, and generation of electricity. More
than 12 million people annually recreate on and along the Upper
Mississippi River spending $1.2 billion and supporting 18,000 jobs.
More people recreate on the Upper Mississippi annually than visit
Yellowstone National Park. Each of the more than 50 completed
restoration projects generates half of its labor from local workers
living near the sites. During construction, each of these projects
infuses an average of $750,000 into the local economies and small
towns.
Army Corps of Engineers, Construction, South Florida Ecosystem
Restoration
The League requests the Subcommittee reject the President's request
for $350 million and appropriate $725 million for construction for the
South Florida Ecosystem Restoration (SFER) for FY 2022 as requested by
Florida Congressional delegation, Florida state officials, and the
Everglades conservation community. This request prioritizes funds
needed now to adequately restore the Everglades, reduce polluted
discharges from Lake Okeechobee, and protect drinking water for 8
million Americans living in Florida.
This funding will advance important restoration projects under the
Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP), including the
critical Everglades-Agricultural Area Reservoir recently authorized in
WRDA 2018. The reservoir would allow water to flow south from Lake
Okeechobee and be stored and treated before flowing into Everglades
National Park and Florida Bay, greatly reducing the need for the Army
Corps to release polluted lake water into the Caloosahatchee and St.
Lucie Rivers, which can lead to harmful algal blooms on Florida's Gulf
and Atlantic coasts. Adequately funding SFER would also allow the Army
Corps to complete other CERP projects vital to restoration of the
Everglades, including Picayune Strand Restoration, Broward County Water
Preserve Area, Biscayne Bay Coastal Wetlands, and Indian River Lagoon-
South.
Economic benefits that would come from restoration of the
Everglades are astronomical. Gains in biodiversity, groundwater
purification and aquifer storage, increasing property values, park
visitation, carbon sequestration, and improved fish and wildlife
habitat that would come from a full restoration of the Everglades, as
described in the CERP, would drive an economic increase of $46.5
billion. Even with a price tag of $11 billion, much of which will be
borne by non-federal partners, restoration of the Everglades represents
an impressive benefit to cost ratio greater than 4.00.
The Izaak Walton League appreciates the opportunity to testify
about these important issues.
[This statement was submitted by Jared Mott, Conservation Director,
Izaak
Walton League of America.]
______
Prepared Statement of Methane Action and Remineralize the Earth
Madam Chair et al.,
Yesterday, the world-renowned former science advisor to the U.K.,
Sir David King of Cambridge University, declared that he believes we
have five years left to solve the climate crisis. He announced the
formation of a new Climate Crisis Advisory Group to help reduce
emissions, remove greenhouse gases already emitted and restore the
climate to truly healthy temperatures and functioning. See, https://
www.businessgreen.com/news/4033355/reduce-remove-repair-climate-crisis-
advisory-group-sketches-climate-priorities.
In April Sir David led a group of 31 scientists in writing a letter
in advance of the White House Climate Summit declaring that governments
need to expedite the reduction of emissions, the deployment of methods
of removing ambient methane and other greenhouse gases (GHGs) and the
development of governance capable of ensuring the safe and effective
use of those methods. (See, MethaneAction.org).\1\
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\1\ Today we learned that a Penn State research team has shown that
oil and gas methane emissions are larger than EPA inventory values by
48% to 76%. (https://phys.org/news/2021-06-ethane-proxies-methane-oil-
gas.html).
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Our testimony focuses primarily on how this Subcommittee can
expedite the research and development of the technologies that can buy
us time as we seek to restore safe levels of GHGs including
CO2 below 300 ppm and methane below .8 ppm. Peer reviewed
science and on-going laboratory tests indicate we can achieve that
methane goal within this decade buying time to deal with the longer-
term problem of CO2. We filed complementary testimony on the
24th with the Interior-EPA Subcommittee and recommend that you compare
notes with them in order to ensure the best fit for each Subcommittee
and recommendation that you find useful. For example, some of the work
we have recommended that the EPA direct could be initiated by ARPA-E
but (1) not all are energy related as methane and other GHGs have other
sources and sinks, and (2) some of the research would be done more
efficiently in some cases with non-U.S. principal investigators who are
already, with too little funding, working on these approaches, and (3)
the overall program should in any case be geared for both international
cooperation and policy coordination. So we will not repeat those
requests here. Our testimony will largely be in the legislative
language we recommend from here on:
(I) Reducing emissions and concentrations of climate forcing agents.
In order to reduce greenhouse gases and other climate forcing
agents to historically healthy levels as soon as possible, the
Secretary of Energy, in consultation with the Administrator of the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Secretaries of Agriculture,
the Interior, State and Treasury, the Administrator of USAID, the Chief
Executive Officers of the Millennium Challenge Corporation and the U.S.
International Development Finance Corporation and the Export Import
Bank, using funds appropriated for their other relevant programs as
well as those appropriated for this Title, shall, as directed below:
(A) Review existing and pending patents for methods of removing
climate forcing agents and limiting the emissions thereof, and
grants and contracts for the development of such technologies
made by the U.S. and other governments, including but not
limited to the United Kingdom, and foundations and ensure, in
consultation and cooperation with the Special Envoy and
Domestic Advisor on Climate Change and the appropriate
departments and agencies, including but not limited to the
Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality, and foreign and
international governments, that the research, development, and
deployment of such methods is completed and advanced each year
to the extent practicable, and incorporated in their actions,
including but not limited to their foreign assistance,
intergovernmental cooperation, and international finance
programs, and provisions. The Secretary shall complete the
steps of paragraph (A) and its subparagraphs by July 1, 2022
unless otherwise noted in the schedule set forth as follows:
(i) Develop an interagency agreement on GHG Drawdown Research,
Development and Deployment to collaborate with the
Administrator of the EPA and the Commandant of the Coast
Guard, as the U.S. liaison to the International Maritime
Organization, on research, development, assessment and
trials of methods of methane oxidation and catalysis for
near source and ambient removal and measure co-benefits
including removing other pollutants such as Nitrous Oxide,
CO2, soot and preventing ground level ozone.
(See Interior-EPA testimony of Methane Action and RTE for
research projects.)
(ii) Surface-based Photocatalytic Enhanced Methane Oxidation
(SPEMO). In cooperation with the Environmental Protection
Agency and the Secretary of State and the Administrator of
USAID the Secretary of Energy shall contract for three
years of research and development of surface-based
photocatalytic enhanced methane oxidation (SPEMO) to: (I)
Lower methane emissions from coal mines, oil wells and
animal farms, to ensure that the CH4 concentration from
ventilated air is less than 1.7 ppm by volume; and (II)
Apply photocatalytic paint to buildings, rooftops,
photovoltaic panels, or in a ventilated conduit to reduce
methane in the general atmosphere as a complement to
commercial photocatalytic paints and coatings already being
used because of their self-cleaning property and ability to
reduce urban pollution such as nitrogen oxides and volatile
organic compounds. At $1,000,000, or one third of that from
each of three agencies, per year for a total contract in
FY2022 for (I) and (II) of: $3,000,000
(B) Integrate GHG removal in Development Assistance and Trade.
(1) The Secretary of Energy, Directors of the DOE Office of Fossil
Energy and Carbon Management and the Advanced Research Projects Agency-
E, the Chief Engineer of the USACE and the Commissioner of the Bureau
of Reclamation shall assist the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and
the Administrator of US EPA, in calculating the difference between the
climate forcing agents emitted in the production of fuels,
hydroelectric power of different types, other energy sources, wetlands
management (e.g. draining or re-watering) and the production of the
goods and services in other countries and those emitted in the United
States, the extent to which other countries remove emitted GHGs and the
economic costs thereof and inform U.S. Trade Representative, the
Secretary of Commerce by June 1, 2022 of the results of those
calculations so that they may ensure that those receiving assistance in
programs under their jurisdiction or control or exporting goods or
services to the United States will limit and sequester, oxidize or
otherwise remove the climate forcing agents or the carbon dioxide
equivalent thereof to the extent practicable currently and endow a fund
for the future reclamation of such agents as technical or natural
capacities for so doing are available.
(2) Assist the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the
Administrator of US EPA, and the U.S. Trade Representative and the
Secretary of Commerce, in calculating by June 1, 2022 tariff and trade
adjustments that would internalize the avoided costs and externalities
that exceed those of comparable production in the United States; so
that they are in a position to impose tariffs and embargoes accordingly
by September 1, 2022.
(C) Ensure Global Governance of GHG Removal Methods. Beginning no
later than one week after the date of enactment and continuing
thereafter, the Secretary shall assist the Secretary of State,
the Administrator of the EPA and the US Trade Representative,
in consultation with the Special Envoy for Climate Change, the
Commandant of the Coast Guard and other agencies participating
in the affected U.S. delegations, in proposing and pursuing
resolutions and agreements for supporting the proper assessment
and deployment and governance of methods of reducing the
atmospheric presence of climate forcing agents to historic
healthy levels; of assessing the effects thereof to ensure the
sufficient, safe and proper use of technologies for reducing
the emissions of carbon dioxide, methane, CFCs, HFCs, black
soot and other climate forcing agents or the climate forcing
impact of them; and for actively removing such agents from the
atmosphere, within or apart from existing international
agreements in a manner that is complementary to their
objectives and not preemptive of conservation and restoration
efforts. Those agreements shall include but not be limited to
the UNFCCC and its protocols and accords, the London Convention
on Marine Pollution (via the International Maritime
Organization), the Vienna Convention on the Protection of the
Ozone Layer and its protocols, UNECE Convention on Long-range
Transboundary Air Pollution, the Convention on Migratory
Species, the Convention on Biological Diversity and other
conservation agreements, the major international trade
agreements, and the United Nations, and UNEP, FAO, UNDP and any
other relevant subsidiary bodies; $3,000,000
(D) Report on Plans. The Secretary of Energy in cooperation with
the Secretary of State shall form a Committee on Climate
Restoration comprised of the Secretaries and agency heads
tasked under this Title to report as directed in subsections
(D) and (E) to the Committees of jurisdiction within ninety
days of enactment on their training programs and plans for
cooperating with the United Nations, the Organization for
Economic Cooperation and Development and their subsidiary
bodies, other interested nation states in implementing
paragraphs (A)-(D) and for incorporating these elements in
their work and measuring the success of their implementation;
and
(E) Report on Results. Within 180 days of enactment and annually
thereafter the Committee on Climate Restoration shall report to
the Secretaries and Administrators listed in Section I, and the
Congressional Committees of jurisdiction, on their progress and
report any requests and suggestions for expediting the
deployment of methods found to be effective in light of their
direct and indirect costs and co-benefits as informed in more
detail every two years by the assessments produced by those
agencies and other competent authorities. The Secretary shall
ensure that the report and plan are produced with the
cooperation of appropriate government agencies, including but
not limited to the EPA, EIA, USAID and those included elsewhere
in this Section. The Secretary shall further ensure that
authors include a range of conservation biology, oceanic,
agronomy and atmospheric scientists, among others, as well as
economists, engineers, policy makers, regulatory experts. The
federal agencies should also provide a companion report
discussing their efforts, progress and challenges. The
Secretary is directed to fund from his regular budget a report
updating the initial report every 2 years.
For this Title in addition to the amounts specified above:
$8,000,000
II. Integrating Climate Restoration across the Government.
The program requirements of these Sections are to be integrated
into the regular order of business and carried out within the budget
authorities and amounts appropriated for each of the affected agencies
independent of further appropriations, this section however, hereby
also provides such authorization as may be necessary through FY2028 as
well as appropriations for FY2022.
______
Prepared Statement of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern
California
The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
(Metropolitan) encourages the Subcommittee's support for fiscal year
2022 federal funding of $10.7 million for the U.S. Bureau of
Reclamation's (Reclamation) Colorado River Basin Salinity Control
Program (Salinity Control Program), Title II--Basinwide Program to
prevent further degradation of Colorado River water quality and
increased economic damages.
The salt concentration in the Colorado River causes an estimated
$354 million in quantifiable damages to water users each year. While
this figure is significant, had it not been for the efforts of the
Salinity Control Program, damages would be much higher. Salinity
Control Program actions have reduced the salinity of Colorado River
water at key locations over 90 milligrams per liter (mg/L) from what
they would have been without the actions. Modeling by Reclamation
indicates that quantifiable damages could rise to approximately $671
million by the year 2040 without continuation of the program.
Metropolitan is the regional water supplier for most of urban
Southern California, providing supplemental water to retail agencies
that serve approximately 19 million people.
Water imported via the Colorado River Aqueduct has the highest
salinity level of all of Metropolitan's sources of supply, averaging
around 630 mg/L since 1976. This salinity level causes economic damages
to all sectors. For example, high salinity has the following impacts:
--It reduces the useful life of water heaters, faucets, garbage
disposals, clothes washers, and dishwashers, and increases use
of water softeners in the household sector;
--It increases the cost of cooling operations, the need for and cost
of water softening, and decreases equipment service life in the
commercial sector;
--It increases water use, the cost of water treatment, and sewer fees
in the industrial sector;
--It decreases the life of treatment facilities and pipelines in the
utility sector;
--It increases the cost of desalination and brine disposal for
recycled water in the municipal sector;
--It reduces the yield of salt sensitive crops and increases water
use for leaching in the agricultural sector;
--It increases desalination and brine disposal costs due to
accumulation of salts in groundwater basins, and reduces
opportunities for water recycling due to groundwater quality
deterioration;
--It reduces the ability to replenish groundwater in basins with
relatively low salinity standards;
--It reduces the ability to reclaim and reuse water due to high
salinities in the water delivered to water treatment and
reclamation facilities; and
--It makes it more difficult to meet wastewater discharge
requirements to comply with National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System permit terms and conditions.
There has been concern over salinity levels in the Colorado River
for many years. To address the concern, the International Boundary and
Water Commission signed Minute No. 242, Permanent and Definitive
Solution to the International Problem of the Salinity of the Colorado
River in 1973, and the President signed the Colorado River Basin
Salinity Control Act of 1974 (Act) into law. Title I of the Act deals
with the U.S. commitment to the quality of waters being delivered to
Mexico. Title II of the Act deals with improving the quality of the
water delivered to users in the United States. This testimony deals
specifically with Title II efforts. To further foster interstate
cooperation and coordinate the Colorado River Basin states' efforts on
salinity control, the seven Basin states formed the Colorado River
Basin Salinity Control Forum.
The Forum is charged with reviewing the Colorado River's water
quality standards for salinity every three years. In so doing, it
adopts a Plan of Implementation consistent with these standards. The
level of appropriation requested in this testimony is in keeping with
the adopted Plan of Implementation, which is to be implemented by
Reclamation, the Bureau of Land Management, and the Natural Resources
Conservation Service (NRCS).
In implementing the Act, Congress recognized that most of the salt
load in the Colorado River originates from federally owned lands. The
majority of land within the Colorado River Basin is federally owned and
administered. The salts in the Colorado River Basin are naturally-
occurring and pervasive, mostly resulting from saline sediments in the
Basin that were deposited in prehistoric marine environments. They are
easily eroded, dissolved, and transported into the river system, and
enter the River through both natural and anthropogenic processes. The
Salinity Control Program reduces salinity by preventing salts from
dissolving and mixing with the River's flow. Irrigation improvements
(sprinklers, gated pipe, lined canals) and vegetation management reduce
the amount of salt transported to the Colorado River. Point sources
such as saline springs are also controlled.
The Salinity Control Program benefits Lower Basin water users,
hundreds of miles downstream from salt sources in the Upper Basin,
through reduced salinity of Colorado River water.
The Salinity Control Program, as set forth in the Act, also
benefits the Upper Colorado River Basin water users through more
efficient water management and increased crop production, and benefits
local economies through construction contracts and environmental
enhancements.
In the early years of the program, Reclamation implemented salinity
control through large projects which were funded with specific line
item amounts. In 1995, Congress amended the Act and created
Reclamation's Basinwide Program. Under this program, Reclamation funds
competitive proposals for projects that will decrease the salt load to
the Colorado River.
Most of the proposals target off-farm irrigation distribution
systems such as canals and laterals. The lining or piping of canals and
laterals prevents leakage into the groundwater and the dissolution and
transportation of salts to the Colorado River and its tributaries.
The requested funding level of $10.7 million is required to keep
the Basinwide Program on pace with the overall Salinity Control Program
implementation needs. These federal dollars will be augmented by state
cost sharing of 30 percent and by an additional 25 percent provided by
the agricultural producers with whom the U.S. Department of Agriculture
contracts for implementation of salinity control measures.
Over the past years, the Salinity Control Program has proven to be
a cost-effective approach to mitigating the impacts of increased
salinity in the Colorado River. Adequate federal funding of this
important program is essential. Metropolitan urges the Subcommittee to
fund the Bureau of Reclamation's Salinity Control Program, Title II--
Basinwide Program for fiscal year 2022 in the amount of $10.7 million.
This modest investment in source control pays dividends in improved
drinking water quality to nearly 40 million Americans.
[This statement was submitted by Jeffrey Kightlinger, General
Manager,
Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.]
______
Prepared Statement of the Mid-West Electric Consumers Association
Chair Feinstein, Ranking Member Kennedy, and members of the
Subcommittee, I am Jim B. Horan, Executive Director of the Mid-West
Electric Consumers Association (Mid-West). Mid-West represents the
interests of over 300 consumer-owned utilities across the Upper Great
Plains that purchase power from the federal hydroelectric generators
that are part of the Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin Program. That power is
marketed by the Western Area Power Administration (WAPA), an agency of
the U.S. Department of Energy, and is sold to Mid-West Members in the
states of Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North
Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming. Mid-West's members rely on this
cost-based, renewable, federal hydroelectric power for a significant
portion of their power supply requirements.
Mid-West requests that the Subcommittee provide the full funding
for Purchase Power and Wheeling (PP&W) authority requested by WAPA in
the FY 2022 budget request. Mid-West also supports the continued use of
``net-zero'' for annual expenses and the public partnership financing
that has worked so successfully in the Pick-Sloan Region for over 20
years.
purchase power and wheeling
The PP&W authority is necessary for WAPA to fulfill its contractual
obligations to deliver firm power to Mid-West's members and other WAPA
customers, including federal and state agencies and Native American
Tribes. These funds can only be used for PP&W costs and they are
available until expended. While WAPA may not always spend the full PP&W
appropriation in every year, a severe and prolonged drought can cause
WAPA to incur PP&W costs that exceed their available funding. In that
event, WAPA must use cash from other planned expenditures, including
repaying customer advances for the rehabilitation of federal assets.
This disruption to asset rehabilitation midstream can cause
significantly higher costs due to contractor work stoppages and
restarts, interest that accrues on money already spent on the project,
replacement power due to asset outages, etc.
The PP&W budget is prepared approximately two years in advance of
the fiscal year. Each legislated project for which WAPA markets and
transmits power has unique power production and marketing
characteristics, which results in differing methods to budget for
purchase power. For the Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin Program--Eastern
Division, WAPA staff look at the last 10-11 years of rolling hydrologic
conditions, which include a multi-year drought, and averages the 5
median years, eliminating the other 6-7 higher and lower water years.
Using the hydrologic data, WAPA staff then prepare a conservative
power price forecast for the period. The combination of forecasted
water conditions, consequent purchase power and wheeling volumes, and
the power price forecast yield the estimate of PP&W costs over the
forecast period.
It is important to note, however, that a drought with worse
hydrologic conditions than any of the years included in the study will
likely yield PP&W costs significantly above what is forecast. Mid-West
is committed to working with the Subcommittee staff and the
Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to resolve any remaining issues
associated with the methodology involving PP&W. We are very concerned
that CBO changed a two decades-old agreement that PP&W appropriations
would not score against the federal deficit. Despite the fact that all
PP&W expenditures are paid by the WAPA customers (Mid-West member-
utilities), CBO still proposed to score these expenditures. We hope any
lingering issues can be resolved. This is very important to the
customer-owners of the region, since federal cost-based hydropower is
the life-blood of the regional economy and key to maintaining energy
affordability.
conclusion
The Subcommittee's longstanding support of the federal power
program is greatly appreciated, and we thank you for your consideration
of this testimony. We stand ready to respond to any questions.
[This statement was submitted by Jim B. Horan, Executive Director,
Mid-West Electric Consumers Association.]
______
Prepared Statement of the Mni Wiconi Project
1. FY 2022 OMR Request
The Mni Wiconi Project respectfully requests $ 45.080 million in
appropriations for operation, maintenance and replacement (OMR)
activities in FY 2021, including $1.997 million \1\ for the Bureau of
Reclamation (Reclamation). The OMR request includes $ 21.6 million for
necessary Coreline storage towers, crossing, and pump station.
Additionally, the OSRWSS Core needs $38 million for South Core Line
(Phase V) Replacement (see Section 2). Report language is also
requested.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ This testimony uses figures provided by Reclamation for its
FY21 work plan. We applied 2.3% inflation to those figures.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
OMR funds will be used as summarized in Table 1 by the Oglala Sioux
Rural Water Supply System (OSRWSS), Rosebud Sioux Rural Water System
(RSRWS), and Lower Brule Sioux Rural Water System (LBSRWS).
TABLE 1
MNI WICONI PROJECT SPONSOR
AGENCY: BOR
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OSRWSS
--------------------------- RSRWS LBSRWS Reclamation TOTAL
Coreline Distribution
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of Employees.............. 17 33 17 13 8 88
Labor and Fringe Benefits........ $1,372,027 $2,053,402 $927,271 $972,800 $1,003,563 $6,329,063
Labor Overhead Costs............. 626,879 831,628 ........... 192,700 409,200 2,060,407
Non-Labor Costs
Electricity/Natural Gas/ 650,000 753,239 211,160 135,800 258,819 2,009,018
Propane.....................
Telephone/Communications..... 40,000 50,499 23,500 33,900 ........... 147,899
Water Treatment Chemicals/ 400,000 236,050 30,000 104,000 ........... 770,050
Supplies....................
Wells, Pumps, Motors & 590,000 85,933 82,500 101,500 ........... 859,933
Replacement.................
Water Testing................ 120,000 31,827 10,000 ........... ........... 161,827
Vehicle OMR.................. 83,000 290,687 78,000 91,700 18,414 561,801
Water Service Providers...... ........... ............ 250,500 ........... ........... 250,500
Travel-Training.............. 60,000 90,177 8,000 32,900 25,575 216,652
Other........................ 257,000 92,297 318,729 199,200 281,325 1,148,551
Extraordinary Replacements
Meter vault, fuel tank & ........... ............ ........... 150,000 ........... 150,000
security upgrades...........
Increase Capacity of ........... ............ ........... ........... ........... ...........
Reservoir (New).............
GPS/GIS...................... ........... 100,000 ........... 25,000 ........... 125,000
Zebra Mussel Infestation..... ........... ............ ........... 200,000 ........... 200,000
CB #4-6, Electrical/Generator ........... 200,000 ........... ........... ........... 200,000
Replace #5 Reservoir 1 MG.... ........... 3,000,000 ........... ........... ........... 3,000,000
Increase Pipe Size:8" to 12 ........... 2,500,000 ........... ........... ........... 2,500,000
(Sharps to Rockyford--15 mi)
Replace Sharps East ........... 2,000,000 ........... ........... ........... 2,000,000
Reservoir:1 MG..............
Existing Community Transfer
Manderson OM&R............... ........... 25,000 ........... ........... ........... 25,000
Oglala North OM&R............ ........... 40,000 ........... ........... ........... 40,000
Sharps Corner OM&R........... ........... 25,000 ........... ........... ........... 25,000
Priority Community System
Upgrades
Production Well Replacements. ........... ............ 700,000 ........... ........... 700,000
Reservoir Upgrades/Projects
South Core Reservoir 1....... 5,000,000 ............ ........... ........... ........... 5,000,000
South Core Reservoir 2....... 5,000,000 ............ ........... ........... ........... 5,000,000
South Core Reservoir 4....... 6,000,000 ............ ........... ........... ........... 6,000,000
White River Bore Crossing.... 3,800,000 ............ ........... ........... ........... 3,800,000
High Service Pump Station VFD 1,800,000 ............ ........... ........... ........... 1,800,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL...................... $25,798,906 $12,405,738 $2,639,660 $2,239,500 $1,996,896 $45,080,700
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The OSRWSS Core System is the heart of the Mni Wiconi Project and
serves the three Indian Reservations and the West River/Lyman-Jones
Rural Water System (WRLJ) in 7 off-reservation counties covering
southwestern South Dakota with a design capacity of 52,000 people. The
Project now serves 41,250. Public Law 100-516, as amended, our
authorizing legislation, found that:
...the United States has a trust responsibility to ensure that
adequate and safe water supplies are available to meet the
economic, environmental, water supply, and public health needs
of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, Rosebud Indian
Reservation and Lower Brule Indian Reservation...
The request as presented in Table 1 will meet the purposes of the
Act. Appropriation by Congress of adequate funds will fulfill the
fiduciary responsibilities of the United States as articulated in the
Act.
The Project has been treating and delivering more water each year
from the OSRWSS Water Treatment Plant near Fort Pierre. The population
will continue to grow within the service area and will reach the design
population late in the next decade. The OMR budget must be adequate to
(1) keep pace with the system and its growing population and (2)
protect and preserve the $470 million investment held by the United
States in trust for the Tribes and by WRLJ. Funds are needed to
properly operate and maintain the infrastructure.
We appreciate the President's focus on improving critical water
infrastructure in his Discretionary Request and await his specific
requested funding level for the Mni Wiconi Project. However, we remind
you of the Project's overall needs, including Coreline storage towers
and OMR for community systems when they are transferred into the
Project, along with the actual costs of the upgrade work. We also
remind you that the oversight budget decreases funds for routine
maintenance and extraordinary replacements as referenced in Section 7.
2. Coreline Storage Towers, Crossing, and Phase V Project/Existing
Community Transfers/Extraordinary Replacements
Included in Table 1 is $21.6 million for OSRWSS Coreline Storage
Towers, a crossing and pump station replacement. The OSRWSS needs to
build these towers on the Coreline for added storage. They are
necessary for the Project to function properly in scenarios when all
Project Sponsors are pulling 100% of their allocations. The Coreline
needs $16 million for these towers. The Coreline also needs $ 3.8
million to replace the White River Coreline crossing because there is a
leak in the steel pipe under the river that is growing in size. This
crossing is essential for the Pine Ridge Reservation and surrounding
area south of the White River crossing. It also needs $1.8 million for
the High Service Pump Station VFD Project.
Not included in Table 1 for the OMR request, but a critical need
for the OSRWSS Core is the South Core Replacement (Phase V) Project,
which will move the lines around the City of Ft. Pierre to address
recurrent leaks in the area. Project costs are estimated at $38
million.
Annual budgeting by the Administration must reflect: (1) increases
in water deliveries as project population was added between 2013 and
2015 with no corresponding increase in funding; (2) aging facilities in
need of maintenance and replacement (since start of construction in
1994 and through end of construction in FY 2015); and (3) 40 existing
communities that must be transferred to the respective Indian rural
water systems. It is critical that Project features not fall into
disrepair and that sufficient funds are available for the OMR of
existing community systems that are scheduled for inclusion in the
Project in FY 2022 (or were transferred earlier). Funding is also
needed for the actual upgrade work, costs for which total in the tens
of millions for the Indian Project Sponsors. We also ask the
Subcommittee to be mindful of what Reclamation calls ``extra-ordinary
replacements,'' which are actually necessary and routine when pumps,
water treatment equipment, pipelines, and other facilities fail and
require replacement to continue operations.
The Mni Wiconi Project should be a shiny, new project that stands
out as a beacon of modern technology. It provides under-privileged
communities with safe and adequate drinking water of the highest
quality and to improve the health and well-being of a low-income
population, purposes that have been frustrated by inadequate attention
to infrastructure maintenance.
It is important to remember that for OMR activities, the Indian
projects are left with the appropriated figure minus the approximate $2
million that Reclamation takes for oversight. The reduced amount does
not account for the needed storage towers, crossing replacement, the
community upgrade work, any additional community system transfers, or
unexpected extraordinary replacements.
The Promise Zone designation for the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation
was announced in April 2015. It focused on developing solutions to
infrastructure challenges and the necessary resources to upgrade
existing community systems, among other things, to revitalize the
region. The request in Table 1 is consistent with the Promise Zone
designation (and last Administration's Opportunity Zone designation),
and underscores the need for OMR funding for routine maintenance,
``extra-ordinary'' replacements and existing community systems
following transfer.
The need is the same on the Rosebud and Lower Brule Indian
Reservations. Adequate funding for all activities, including community
water systems that are transferred, is a necessity for the three Indian
rural water systems in the Mni Wiconi Project. The following report
language is requested (see previous Congresses for similarity):
Mni Wiconi Project, South Dakota.-Reclamation is directed to
continue working with the Tribes and relevant Federal agencies, such as
the Department of Agriculture, the Environmental Protection Agency, the
Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Indian Health Service, and the Department
of Housing and Urban Development to coordinate use of all existing
authorities and funding sources to finish needed community system
upgrades and connections, as well as any transfers of those systems, as
quickly as possible. The Administration is encouraged to include
appropriate funding for transferred community systems in future budget
requests. (House Report 114-532, FY 2017)
Reclamation's annual budget requests properly included the transfer
of existing community systems and responsibility for operation and
maintenance. The budget needs to reflect those transfers:
...The project consists of new systems to be constructed, as well
as 40 existing Mni Wiconi community systems. Responsibilities
of the Secretary under the Act include the operation and
maintenance of existing water systems and appurtenant
facilities on the Pine Ridge, Rosebud, and Lower Brule Indian
Reservations. (FY 2012-18 Budget Justifications, p. GPR-49)
Reclamation and other federal agencies are now assisting the Tribes
with a pathway for funding transfers and future OMR activities for the
40 existing community systems as they become part of the Project and
eligible for funding. It is crucial that these efforts continue. OMR
funding is needed for communities that were upgraded and will be
transferred (or have been transferred) to the Project.
3. OSRWSS Regional Core Facilities
The staff of the OSRWSS core system includes 17 employees. The
staff operates and maintains the 14 million gallon per day regional
water treatment plant, 203 miles of main transmission pipeline from 12
inches to 27 inches in diameter, nine major pumping stations (4
Megawatt total capacity), nine reservoirs (4.2 million gallons of
capacity) and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system,
necessary to deliver safe and adequate drinking water to the service
areas of OSRWSS, RSRWS, LRSRWS and WRLJ. Again, the Core Facilities
need an additional three new Coreline storage towers, a crossing
replacement, and pump station project at a cost of $21.6 million. The
OSRWSS Core also needs $38 million for the South Core Line Replacement
(Phase V) Project.
4. OSRWSS Distribution on Pine Ridge Indian Reservation
The OSRWSS Distribution's 33 employees are responsible for
maintaining 760 miles of PVC water mains and service lines, 30 high
production water wells, 33 booster pumps and treatment stations, 38
water storage reservoirs, and 2,206 metered residences. The water
system has been designed and constructed over a 24-year period, and
services a total population of 21,510 residents on the Pine Ridge
reservation. The construction of the water system is now complete and
valued in excess of $100 million, although 20 additional community
system upgrades are still pending. To operate and maintain our water
system has become a challenge. The core system east of Kyle has 4
reservoirs which have a total of 520,000 gallons of storage, this
equates to only enough for less than 6 hours of storage in emergency
situations. Table 1 shows a proposed 1-million-gallon reservoir to be
constructed adjacent to Reservoir #5 which is near the reservation
boundary north of Wanblee, SD. This added reservoir should increase our
storage to more than 24-hours. In preparation for the projected South
Unit development, Table 1 also proposes increasing the existing 8''
waterline to a 12'' line over the 15 mile stretch from Sharps to the
Rockyford Hwy 27/Hwy 2 Intersection, and a proposed 1 million-gallon
reservoir to be constructed adjacent to the Sharps East Reservoir.
5. Rosebud Sioux Rural Water System (RSRWS)
The staff of RSRWS or Sicangu Mni Wiconi will total 17 full-time
employees in FY 2021. The staff operates and maintains 425 miles of
mainline, 15 major pumping stations, 20 water storage reservoirs, 9
supply wells with two associated chlorination facilities, and SCADA
system. A new production well is still needed for Rosebud Rural Water
System due to decreased production and water supply. A previous RAX
project request for a new production well was proposed and denied.
Asset management indicates renovations are needed at some of the oldest
constructed facilities in the project. A few RAX requests for system
renovations have been submitted and some approved. The RSRWS budget
also includes water service contracts with the City of Mission and
Tripp County Water Users District (TCWUD) and others in the secondary
service area at a total cost of $250,500 which reflects a reduction due
less pumping for the Mission system. In 1995 the citizens of Mission
voted to transfer their municipal system to the Mni Wiconi Project and
in 2003 a final agreement between the Tribe, City of Mission and
Reclamation was consummated and the former municipal system is now held
in trust for the Tribe as part of the RSRWS. The inclusion and OMR of
the Mission system are authorized by Section 3A (a) (8) of the Mni
Wiconi Project Act, as amended. The completed community upgrades in
Antelope, Butte Creek, and Okreek communities are in the transfer
process. Parmelee, Upper Swift Bear, and Spring Creek community water
system upgrades will be completed by the end of FY 2022. RSRWS is
proposing a budget request of $2,639,660.00 for FY2021 including the
RAX request for a new production well.
6. Lower Brule Rural Water System
The Lower Brule Rural Water System (LBRWS) consists of a water
treatment plant, six booster stations, three tanks/reservoirs,
approximately 75 miles of core pipeline and approximately 300 miles of
distribution pipeline. LBRWS has a staff of 12 full-time and two part-
time employees to provide the operation and maintenance of these
facilities. As shown in Table 1, wages and fringe benefits total
$972,800.
The budget continues to include $150,000 to upgrade main line meter
vaults and $25,000 to obtain the GPS location of water lines installed
by ranchers and to add the lines to the current GIS database. The meter
pit upgrades will improve access to the meter vaults and prolong the
life of the equipment within the meter pits, while the GPS/GIS
information will provide needed information for the operation and
maintenance as well as the management of the system.
Zebra mussels were found in Lake Sharpe in 2019. Recent
investigations of the LBRWS intake and intake pumps have found the
zebra mussel infestation becoming a detriment to the LBRWS system. The
result is a need to remove the zebra mussels currently on the
infrastructure as well as installing a system to attempt to control the
zebra mussel infestation on and within the LBRWS infrastructure. As a
result, the budget includes $200,000 to deal with the zebra mussel
infestation in Lake Sharpe. LBRWS will continue to work with the Bureau
of Reclamation and the other sponsors to prioritize their needs and
ensure that their system is operating to the standards that have been
established over the past several years.
7. Bureau of Reclamation (BOR)
The BOR's budget is for oversight of operation and maintenance
activities for all tribal systems, including the employment of an
equivalent 8.0 persons. BOR pays the Western Area Power Administration
for Project preference power used by the OSRWSS core system and Rosebud
core system. BOR also pays for cathodic protection services for OSRWSS
core system, Rosebud, and OSRWSS on-reservation DWM&C systems.
Reclamation costs are expended before funds reach the Project.
[This statement was submitted by Ron Blacksmith, Core System
Manager, Oglala Sioux Rural Water Supply System, Chuck Jacobs,
Distribution System Director, Oglala Sioux RWSS, Young Colombe,
Manager, Rosebud Sioux Rural Water System, and Jim McCauley, Manager,
Lower Brule Sioux Rural Water System.]
______
Prepared Statement of the National Association for State Community
Services Programs
As Weatherization Director for the National Association for State
Community Services Programs (NASCSP), I am pleased to submit testimony
on the FY 2022 Energy and Water Appropriations bill. Specifically, I am
writing in support of the Department of Energy's (DOE) Weatherization
Assistance Program (WAP) and seeking an FY 2022 appropriations total of
$356 million, with $325 million for the WAP, $10 million for Training
and Technical Assistance at DOE, and $21 million for the Weatherization
Readiness Fund. This funding level is essential to expand current
program operations and empower the WAP to improve client services,
develop workforce training, innovate efficiency technologies, and
ensure equitable delivery of services.
NASCSP is the member organization representing the weatherization
grantees in all 50 States, the District of Columbia, Native American
Tribes and US Territories, who oversee a weatherization workforce
operating in every county. The state offices represented by our
organization would like to thank the members of this Committee for
their support of the WAP over the years, particularly the
reauthorization of the program last year and the increase provided in
FY 2021. The WAP is a comprehensive whole-house retrofit program
serving people with low incomes by improving energy efficiency,
resident health and safety, and client finances through lower utility
costs. WAP workers are highly trained energy auditors, certified by a
national network of accredited nonprofits, small businesses, and
educational institutions in the use of advanced tools and technologies
to diagnose home performance. The WAP is a proven investment in the
sustainability, health, and resiliency of our communities, not only by
permanently benefiting low-income families disproportionally burdened
by energy costs, but also through supporting thousands of quality green
jobs in the building trades. As we continue the recovery from the
COVID-19 pandemic, the WAP is an opportunity to invest in a growing
clean energy workforce, improve the health of thousands of families,
and fight climate change.
formula funding--leveraging funds for energy & non-energy benefits
The Department of Energy (DOE) funding appropriated by Congress has
allowed more than 8 million homes to be weatherized since the program's
inception in 1976. Each home receives a site-specific suite of energy
efficiency measures to be installed, such as insulation, air sealing,
and high efficiency HVAC systems. By improving the energy efficiency of
the home, these long-term investments save families money when they are
installed and for years to come. With lower energy bills, families have
more to spend on essentials like food, clothing, education, and health
care. These whole-home benefits are central to the WAP's mission.
A robust appropriation for weatherization and DOE Training &
Technical assistance is key to ensuring equitable allocation of
funding, sustained WAP impact on a nationwide scale, and consistent and
growing workforce development. WAP measures completed with DOE funds
are subject to at least three layers of quality assurance: quality
control is performed on every job by a local certified inspector; at
least 5 percent of all completed jobs receive a second inspection by a
state quality assurance monitor; and DOE monitors the quality assurance
practices of all state WAP offices. This multi-layered approach to
monitoring is designed to maximize the benefits from public funds and
to ensure clients in every state receive the best possible services.
Another critical WAP benefit is improved health and safety for
families. In homes that are cold and drafty, or affected by mold and
excess moisture, there is an increased risk of chronic illnesses.
Studies have shown the weatherization measures result in a healthier
living environment. An evaluation by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Evaluation \1\ found that residents of weatherized homes experienced
fewer asthma, allergy, and cold symptoms, as well as fewer missed days
of work and school. Weatherization mitigates factors that can trigger
an asthma attack, resulting in fewer emergency room visits and
hospitalizations. WAP measures can also prevent other life-threatening
events such as carbon monoxide poisoning and fires from unsafe heating
sources. These benefits are especially critical at a time when many are
staying at home more than ever. These outcomes pay off--every
weatherization dollar spent returns $2.78 in non-energy benefits.\2\
The Oak Ridge Evaluation found that families reported decreased out of-
pocket medical expenses by an average of $514 and the total health and
household-related benefits for each unit weatherized is estimated to be
$14,148.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Oak Ridge National Lab, ``Health and Household-Related Benefits
Attributable to the Weatherization Assistance Program'', 2014. https://
weatherization.ornl.gov/Retrospectivepdfs/ORNL_
TM-2014_345.pdf.
\2\ Oak Ridge National Lab, ``Weatherization Works--Summary of
Findings'', 2014. https://weatherization.ornl.gov/Retrospectivepdfs/
ORNL_TM-2014_338.pdf.
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creating the energy efficiency workforce of the future
The WAP is overseen by the Office of Weatherization and
Intergovernmental Programs within the Office of Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy (EERE). DOE's focus on research and development brings
the WAP significant benefits including technical expertise, access to
the latest building science, and opportunities for collaboration with
other critical energy efficiency and clean energy initiatives. DOE's
technical standards and state offices' rigorous monitoring ensure that
clients receive the latest weatherization measures, maximizing the
benefits to low-income families. DOE's Standard Work Specifications \3\
and Home Energy Professionals \4\ certifications have become the gold
standard for residential energy efficiency.
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\3\ Standard Work Specifications for Home Energy Upgrades https://
sws.nrel.gov/.
\4\ Home Energy Professionals Certifications https://
www.energy.gov/eere/wipo/guidelines-home-energy-professionals.
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Every state crafts and implements a training and technical
assistance plan to build a strong workforce in their state network and
maintain skilled labor that meets the necessary DOE requirements. The
WAP provides training and workforce development opportunities in the
very same communities in which it is delivering energy efficiency
services, introducing low-income people to a rewarding career field
they may not have encountered otherwise. The energy efficiency work of
the WAP supports more than 8,500 jobs in weatherization and thousands
more across the supply chain of suppliers, trainers, and manufacturers.
Additionally, because of the advanced diagnostics and technology
developed in WAP, the program forms the foundation for the home
performance industry, which employs thousands of workers who complete
energy efficiency retrofits across the entire residential sector,
contributing to the overall 2.38 million energy efficiency jobs found
across the nation and in 99.8% of all US counties.\5\
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\5\ Energy Futures Initiative and the National Association for
State Energy Officials, ``U.S. Energy & Employment Report'', 2020.
https://www.usenergyjobs.org/.
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As the WAP workforce and its impact grows, the training and
technical assistance provided by DOE becomes even more critical. Since
FY 2014 DOE has received $3 million or less each year for these
purposes. As we have shown above, DOE's training, technical assistance,
and technological support is critical to the WAP and the broader energy
efficiency industry. By raising training and technical assistance
support to $10 million, DOE will continue to develop new technologies,
improve the health and wellbeing of thousands of low-income people, and
ensure the United States leads the world in energy efficient and
quality housing.
continuing the wap's history of innovation
The State WAP grantee is a key driver in developing new best
practices for weatherization services. There are numerous examples of
States across the country building on the success of the WAP and
maximizing the impact of weatherization.
--Workforce Development & Career Building
Positions within the residential energy efficiency and building
science trades offer workers extensive career advancement and training
opportunities, in addition to a compelling mission helping their low-
income neighbors. Numerous states partner with local technical colleges
and community groups to provide excellent training opportunities,
including to people with low incomes who may be served by the program.
For example, the Illinois Home Weatherization Assistance Program offers
trade school tuition reimbursement for new and existing employees and
cosponsors a High School Energy Efficiency Summer Internship program.
We recognize the great potential of workforce development
initiatives like these to provide quality careers to people from
disadvantaged backgrounds while also ensuring the United States is a
leader in the growing energy efficiency sector.
Enhancement & Innovation Grants
When the WAP allocation surpasses $275 million, DOE has the option
to provide Sustainable Energy Resources for Consumers (SERC) grants for
the purpose of expanding the materials, benefits and tools covered by
the WAP.\6\ The new WAP reauthorization established an additional WAP
Enhancement and Innovation Competitive Grant Program, which utilizes 6%
of the WAP appropriation for developing new practices. DOE plans to
implement both SERC and the Competitive Grant Program in the coming
year, providing a boost of investment in new technologies, innovative
service delivery practices, and enhancement energy auditing techniques.
State WAP grantees support innovation through both programs by
implementing and evaluating new best practices. An evaluation from Oak
Ridge National Lab \7\ found that the national weatherization network
is highly capable of installing and delivering a wide range of new and
innovative renewable energy and energy efficiency measures and
services.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\6\ 42 U.S.C. Chapter 81 Sec. 6872. Authorization of
appropriations.
\7\ Sustainable Energy Resources for Consumers Grant Program
Evaluation, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL/TM-2017/703).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reducing Deferrals Through Pre-Weatherization Programs
Particularly severe conditions in a home can make installing
weatherization measures unsafe or ineffective, causing the home to be
deferred from receiving WAP services until the conditions are
addressed. For example, standing water in a basement can damage
appliances, old electrical wiring can be a fire hazard with insulation,
and major structural or roofing deficiencies can make working in spaces
unsafe. States have taken the lead with innovative Pre-WAP programs
utilizing leveraged (non-DOE) funding sources to make homes
weatherization ready. Pre-WAP initiatives like Ohio's Home
Weatherization Assistance Program Enhancement fund and Pennsylvania's
Homes in Need Program are formed through partnerships with their state
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program to perform needed energy-
related repairs. Washington's Deferral Pilot Program leverages State
funding to address structural and mechanical issues at deferred homes
while also developing best practices for tracking these deferrals. The
success of these individual examples illustrates that additional
investment in non-energy related upgrades leads to reduced deferrals
and improved delivery of services to homes that otherwise would be
excluded from receiving the benefits of WAP. These conditions exist in
all States and highlight the need for investing in a Weatherization
Readiness Fund to address deferrals.
Weatherization Plus Health
Many States are implementing pilot programs or partnering with
State housing agencies to implement Weatherization plus Health
initiatives. The need for programs addressing indoor air quality have
become particularly pronounced due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Beyond the
inherent health benefits of weatherization, these efforts leverage
weatherization service providers to incorporate additional healthy
homes measures, like hard surface flooring, enhanced ventilation, mold
abatement, and accessibility improvements. Local WAP agencies have
partnered with community health workers to provide enhanced client
education on energy and health. Combined with basic weatherization
measures, Weatherization Plus Health can target those with chronic
health conditions that result from in-home factors, adding substantial
healthcare savings on top of energy benefits.
closing
In closing, I would like to underscore the critical need for
continued Department of Energy funding for the Weatherization
Assistance Program. An FY 2022 appropriations total of $356 million,
with $325 million for the WAP, $10 million for Training and Technical
Assistance at DOE, and $21 million for the proposed Weatherization
Readiness Fund will sustain and expand the program as its scope and
impact continue to grow. Through enhancing weatherization services,
developing innovative new technologies, and building a strong and well-
trained workforce, the Weatherization Assistance Programs uplifts low-
income communities and cements the United States as a leader in
residential energy efficiency.
We look forward to working with Committee members in the future to
ensure the WAP continues to deliver cost effective results that support
our economy and make a difference in the lives of the most vulnerable
in our communities. Thank you.
Respectfully submitted.
[This statement was submitted by Andrea Schroer, WAP Director,
National
Association for State Community Services Programs.]
______
Prepared Statement of the National Association of State Energy
Officials
Chairman Feinstein, Ranking Member Kennedy, and members of the
Subcommittee, I am David Terry, Executive Director of the National
Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO). I am testifying on
behalf of our 56 governor-designated state and territory members. NASEO
respectfully requests funding for the following U.S. Department of
Energy (DOE) programs: $121 million for the U.S. State Energy Program
(SEP) with $90 million directed for formula grants to the states (plus
$5 million for technical assistance to states and $25 million to
address energy and air quality in schools); $325 million for the
Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) (plus $10 million for technical
assistance); $530 million for the Building Technologies Office,
including $100 million for building energy codes-especially funding to
support state and local technical assistance, and $50 million for grid-
interactive efficient buildings; $400 million for the Vehicle
Technologies Office; $280 million for the Solar Energy Program; $56
million for FEMP, including $2 million for the state collaborative;
$252 million for the Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and
Emergency Response, including $50 million for energy-sector risk
mitigation grants to states and $20 million for program direction; $225
million for the Office of Electricity, including $25 million for
Transmission Permitting and State Technical Assistance; and $2 million
for Office of Policy to produce the U.S. Energy Employment Report. The
$90 million SEP request and $325 million WAP request is supported by
the ``Dear Colleague'' letter, signed by 45 members, you received last
week, led by Mr. Reed and Ms. Collins. These requests are separate from
additional funding necessary for infrastructure and climate change
responses. Section VI of the FY21 House Energy and Water Development
Appropriations bill is a good starting point for addressing climate and
infrastructure, with funding for SEP, WAP and EECBG. DOE must move
quickly to fill the 150 jobs within EERE, or the Subcommittee's
objectives and the Administration's agenda will not be satisfied.
The underlying SEP statute provides extraordinary flexibility and
reflects the states' approach to advancing renewable energy, energy
efficiency, transportation electrification, energy workforce
development, resilience and climate actions, and energy-sector
security. For example, the eight state REVWest initiative is advancing
EV infrastructure and many states use SEP funds to accelerate this
work. Southeastern states use SEP funds to collaborate on energy
emergency planning, response, and resilience. States are coordinating
on workforce development and equity programs with SEP. In addition,
states from across regions use SEP funds to accelerate energy
technology innovation initiatives in coordination with universities and
the private sector. All of this work is accomplished through the SEP
formula funds. Past Administrations have sought to ``slice off'' a
portion of the SEP formula funds provided by Congress for DOE-directed
competitive awards in areas selected by DOE. NASEO strongly opposes the
use of this approach which limits states collaborative work on priority
activities.
According to two Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) studies, SEP
provides exceptional value. ORNL found that each dollar of SEP formula
funds used by the states leverages $10.71 of state and private funds
and realizes $7.22 in energy cost savings for citizens and businesses.
The State Energy Offices lead or co-lead energy emergency planning
and response across electricity, natural gas, and petroleum products.
This state-federal-private function is a hallmark of SEP. NASEO also
strongly supports the role of CESER. It is critical to increase program
direction funds to manage and deliver these critical functions.
Finally, SEP is one of the only connections between billions of dollars
spent by DOE on R&D and the priorities of states. A greater reliance by
DOE on the states to ensure federal R&D meets real world conditions
would maximize the impact of R&D funding and leverage the vast
deployment capability of states. Greater coordination among EERE, FE,
OE, CESER, ARPA-E and the states is necessary.
Below are a few examples of the states' utilization of SEP funding:
Alabama.--The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs
(ADECA) supported energy efficiency upgrades at wastewater treatment
plants and local facilities. ADECA issued 21 grants to local
governments, universities, and nonprofits to reduce energy costs by
making their facilities more efficient.
Alaska.--Support LED Streetlight Replacement in 64 Rural Alaska
Communities. The Alaska Energy Authority (AEA) used SEP funds to
support outdoor lighting retrofits in rural communities. Through a
public-private partnership, AEA's Village Energy Efficiency Program
(VEEP), and despite the COVID-19 pandemic, communities have actively
managed to implement their projects totaling $2,156,851. Fourteen sites
are complete, 594 lights have been replaced, and 225,774 kilowatt-hours
(kWh) per year will be saved. Cost per kWh in these communities ranges
between $0.19--$0.86. All 64 sites are expected to be complete by
September 30, 2021.
California.--Supports Development of Appliance Standards.
California uses SEP funds to develop and implement appliance and
building standards. In 2020, appliance standards became effective for
general services lamps (GSL), walk-in coolers and freezers, ceiling
fans, ceiling fan light kits, portable air conditioners, spray
sprinkler bodies, and pool pumps. New appliance standards will lead to
energy and cost savings. For example, after GSL stock turns over,
annual electricity savings will be 4,000-13,600 gigawatt-hours;
portable air conditioners will realize 369 gigawatt-hours in savings;
spray sprinkler bodies will save 150 billion gallons of water per year;
and pool pump motors will save 62 gigawatt-hours annually.
Delaware.--Evaluation of Energy Efficiency, Green Energy and
Weatherization Programs. The Delaware Department of Natural Resources
and Environmental Control's Division of Climate, Coastal and Energy
recently completed the Year 2 comprehensive evaluation of our Energy
Efficiency Investment Fund (EEIF), Green Energy Fund (GEF) and
Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP). The evaluation was done by an
independent contractor as required by the Evaluation, Measurement and
Verification (EM&V) regulations that are promulgated in Delaware. The
Total Resource Cost (TRC) test results from the evaluation were 2.98
for EEIF; 1.38 for GEF; and 1.22 for WAP. In other words, with TRCs
above 1.0, our programs are successfully leveraging funds at a rate
greater than every dollar we invest.
Illinois.--Achieved 2,431,955 kWh Annual Savings in Environmental
Justice Communities. The Illinois Energy Office used SEP funds to
support upgrades at four publicly-owned wastewater treatment plants in
2020, leveraging $16,018,574 in matching funds from municipalities and
saving 2,431,955 kWhs annually. Of the total $2,527,424 in funds
awarded, 79% of was granted to facilities serving EJ communities.
Kentucky.--Support COVID-19 Energy System Response, Provided
Generators for COVID-19 Testing Sites. The Kentucky Office of Energy
Policy (KY OEP) used SEP funds to perform critical emergency functions
in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. During the commonwealth's
response, KY OEP coordinated with the Kentucky Public Service
Commission to support Emergency Support Function 12--Energy (ESF-12);
Commonwealth agencies' response to energy issues in the Commonwealth;
state level situational awareness around energy issues during an
emergency; and with the private sector for the emergency repair and
restoration of critical public energy utilities (i.e. gas, electric,
fuels, etc.).
Louisiana.--Key Corridor LED Lighting Results in Energy Cost and
GHG Reductions. The Louisiana State Energy Office partnered with
Orleans Parish to install LED street lighting along two highway
corridors, resulting in an estimated savings of approximately 40
percent in utilities costs, annual energy savings of 9,520,754 kWh,
7,946 tons of greenhouse gas emissions. The project was made possible
through the SEP-supported Energy Efficiency Revolving Loan Fund, a
program that was established in 2001 to offer low interest, tax exempt
financing for public entities implementing approved renewable energy
and energy efficient upgrades. The program has resulted in over 30 low
interest public sector loans totaling $23.6 million.
Maine.--Support Clean Energy and Climate Efforts, Energy Efficiency
Initiatives, and COVID Coordination. In Maine, the Governor's Energy
Office (GEO) used SEP funding to pursue, develop, and implement nation-
leading energy initiatives, including a floating offshore wind
demonstration project and new programs aimed at installing 100,000 new
high efficiency air source heat pumps by 2025. In 2020, the GEO
assisted in the development of the state's 4-year climate action plan--
Maine Won't Wait. This plan outlines how Maine will achieve the
statutory requirement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions of 45 percent
by 2030 from 1990 levels and 80 percent by 2050.
Michigan.--Energy Efficiency Upgrades Help Michigan Communities
Save $241,874 Annually. The Michigan Energy Office-supported Community
Energy Management (CEM) program enabled energy benchmarking in 708,380
square feet of buildings, with initial savings estimates of $241,874
annually after energy efficiency upgrades. CEM, funded in part by SEP,
offers financial incentives directly to municipalities, tuition-free K-
12 schools, and other community-serving public entities to accelerate
the transition to energy efficiency and renewable energy. Projects
range from creating energy plans, benchmarking and auditing, lighting
and HVAC, to solar installations. This program allows communities to
lead by example.
Montana.--Delivers Personal Protective Equipment to Essential
Workers, Leads Energy Emergency Response. The Montana Energy Office
leveraged SEP funding to respond to energy emergencies resulting from
the COVID-19 pandemic, including delivering personal protective
equipment to essential energy workers. The Montana Energy Office
coordinates the state's Emergency Support Function 12 (ESF-12), the
team charged with monitoring and responding to energy supply
emergencies. Leveraging key funding from the State Energy Program,
Montana's ESF-12 team reached out to utilities, refineries, and
businesses across the energy sector to determine impacts of the
pandemic on energy supply operations.
New Hampshire.--Reduced Local School Energy Costs. One example of
the results of New Hampshire's annual School Energy Efficiency
Development (SEED) grant program is the Lempster Community School. This
schools saved over $7,000 in annual energy costs in 2020.
New Mexico.--Grid Modernization Roadmap Improves the Reliability,
Efficiency, and Security of the Power System. In 2020, SEP funds were
used to provide support for the development of the Energy Grid
Modernization Roadmap that will help New Mexico improve the
reliability, efficiency, and security of the power system. The New
Mexico State Energy Office launched the Grid Modernization Advisory
Group in September 2020.
North Dakota.--Deploy Solar Panels Bolster Resiliency, Educate
Students at Career Academy. Supported installation of 115 panels and an
inverter at the Bismarck Public Schools Career Academy in October 2020.
In addition to powering the building, instructors at the school plan to
start incorporating the panels into their lessons. The solar array was
funded by a $92,000 State Energy Program grant though the North Dakota
Department of Commerce.
Oregon.--Transitioning to Cleaner, Low-Carbon Energy Future. The
Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE) released its 2020 Biennial Energy
Report, which covers a range of energy topics germane to the state, and
is designed to inform the legislature, state and local governments,
other key stakeholders, and the public on policy development, planning,
and investments. The 2020 Report offers discussions on an array of
energy topics, including decarbonization, the transition of the
electric grid, innovation in the natural gas system, cleaner
transportation, the effects of the pandemic on the energy sector, and
the built environment and Oregon's communities.
South Carolina.--Support Electric Vehicles and Decrease GHG
Emissions from State Fleet. Using SEP funds, the South Carolina Energy
Office purchased the first state fleet electric vehicle (EV) and
installed EV charging stations at state parks. In 2016, the State
Energy Plan included a ``Lead by Example'' recommendation to increase
transportation fuel efficiency and diversity.
Tennessee.--Creates Plan to Double EV Charging Stations. The
Tennessee Energy Office used SEP funds to support the roll-out of a
statewide network of EV fast-charging stations, which will result in
doubling the number of available EV fast-chargers. In 2019, Drive
Electric Tennessee released a roadmap to increase EV adoption to
200,000 EVs (up from 11,000 EVs). This network will connect rural and
urban areas and will improve efficiency and resiliency.
Vermont.--Support Low-Carbon Technologies Through Rate Design
Initiative. In Vermont, the State Energy Office directed SEP funds to
support the development of the Vermont Rate Design Initiative (RDI),
which identified advanced forms of load management and rate designs to
foster low-carbon technologies, customer-sited renewables, and energy
storage that will further energy and environmental objectives while
minimizing ratepayer challenges from electrification and power sector
transformation over the long term. The Department of Public Service
continues to build on progress in the RDI through its role as the State
Energy Office.
Washington.--Develop State Energy Strategy, Prioritizes Underserved
Communities. Washington's Energy Office helped the state move toward a
clean, affordable, and just energy future by completing legislative
rulemakings, developing a new state energy strategy, and incorporating
equity principles into clean energy programs. Washington completed
rules related to the clean electricity, clean buildings and new energy
efficient appliance standards legislation passed in 2019. The state
charted the next frontier of energy policy opportunities by completing
the 2021 State Energy Strategy. The State Energy Office also
administers the Clean Energy Fund grant awards, which prioritize
communities underserved by EV infrastructure.
Wisconsin.--Create a $25 Million Energy Innovation Program. The
Wisconsin State Energy Office implemented a program for manufacturers,
municipalities, tribes, and k-12 school districts to increase energy
efficiency and the use of renewable energy and transportation
technologies, bolster resiliency in the energy system, and advance
energy planning. For example, $5 million provided to 30 that leveraged
$4.5 million in local and private energy investments.
[This statement was submitted by David Terry, Executive Director,
National
Association of State Energy Officials.]
______
Prepared Statement of the National Hydropower Association
The National Hydropower Association (NHA) respectfully requests
$222 million for the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Water Power
Technologies Office (WPTO) in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 Energy and
Water Development Appropriations measure. NHA recommends at least the
authorized level of $137 million for marine energy along with the Biden
Administration request of $85 million for the hydropower program, with
full funding of both the EPAct 2005 Section 242 hydroelectric
production incentive program and the Section 243 efficiency incentive
program. NHA also supports robust funding for the operations and
maintenance (O&M) programs of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)
and Bureau of Reclamation (BuRec) to increase capacity and generation
at their facilities, addressing the billions of dollars of backlogged
O&M needs.
funding justification
The U.S. water power industry has tremendous beneficial impacts on
our nation's electric grid, the economy, and environment. Hydropower
delivers almost 40% of total U.S. renewable electricity generation and
pumped storage projects provide 93% of total energy storage in the
country. Hydropower also avoids approximately 200 million metric tons
of CO2 emissions each year. In addition to providing affordable,
renewable power to the grid, hydropower and pumped storage help
integrate greater amounts of variable renewable generation, such as
wind and solar, while maintaining grid reliability and resilience.
Finally, thousands of Americans have high value employment due to water
power projects in every region of the country.
Yet, the industry is poised to do even more. The U.S. has
significant underutilized water power resources, including non-powered
dams, conduits, new pumped storage, and marine energy. Advancement of
new and innovative technologies, operations, and approaches to harness
these resources in a globally competitive marketplace is greatly
enhanced by federal funding that augments research, development, and
deployment (RD&D) efforts underway in the private sector. A growing
U.S. water power industry will support efforts to address climate
change and reduce carbon emissions, assist in grid reliability and
resiliency, while also advancing our national economic goals. Increased
funding is critical and will help create high-quality employment and
support businesses across the country that comprise the water power
supply chain.
NHA commends Congress for its increased support of the DOE WPTO in
recent years, culminating in the $150 million funding level in FY 2021.
However, this investment still remains well below that historically
afforded other DOE renewable R&D programs. For comparison, the Biden
Administration just requested an additional $106 million for the Solar
Energy Office, which is currently funded at $273 million. Meanwhile,
more than 5 GW of new solar capacity was installed in the U.S. during
the first quarter of 2021, with total U.S. solar capacity now over 100
GW. This is up from just 1 GW of U.S. solar capacity in 2009. These
commercial deployments are subsidized with approximately $2.5 billion
of yearly federal expenditures through the Investment Tax Credit.
The view of NHA and its members is that these significant and
sustained federal technology RD&D and market acceleration initiatives
are one of the critical factors related to the tremendous growth in
U.S. solar (and wind) deployments over the past decade. A similar level
of federal investment for water power is required to accelerate the
pace of technology demonstrations and deployments, reduce costs, and
increase adoption.
NHA greatly appreciates the significant proposed FY 2022 budget
increase for the WPTO, particularly that of the hydropower program,
which NHA strongly supports. NHA's FY 2022 request builds on the
foundation of the Administration's budget request by seeking $137
million for the marine energy program. This represents full funding of
the reauthorized levels adopted as part of the Water Power R&D Act of
2020, enacted as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021.
NHA also supports full funding of the EPAct 2005 hydropower incentives
within the $85 million for the hydropower program, also reauthorized in
the FY 2021 appropriations bill. The Administration's FY 2022 budget
request did not include any funding for the incentives.
overview of doe water power technologies office investments
Last year, as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021,
Congress renewed authorization of the DOE WPTO through passage of the
Water Power R&D Act of 2020 and the Reliable Investment in Vital Energy
Reauthorization Act (RIVER Act). These measures authorize investments
in water power technology innovation and deployment as well as
workforce development efforts. These federal investments are essential
to create high value job growth and maximize the contribution of
renewable water power resources as part of a 100% clean energy future.
The Water Power R&D bill provides annual authorization levels for
the DOE WPTO RD&D activities for FY 2021-2025 of $137 million for
marine energy and $49 million for hydropower. NHA views these
recommendations as the minimum required to support WPTO investments on
innovation of advanced technologies to increase power production and
reduce costs, improve grid reliability and resilience, create new
market opportunities that improve economic growth, and fund cross-
institutional foundational research to support workforce development.
In addition, the RIVER Act authorizes $10 million per year for the
Section 242 hydroelectric production incentive and $10 million per year
for the Section 243 hydroelectric efficiency incentive, both of which
were first adopted as part of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. The
production incentive, which is currently oversubscribed, provides
financial support for new hydropower facilities constructed at existing
dams and conduits and was amended to include new small hydro projects
constructed in areas of inadequate electric service. The efficiency
incentive, which supports capital improvements at existing hydropower
facilities that improve efficiency by at least three percent, has not
previously received appropriations.
Hydropower.--NHA supports the Biden Administration request of $85
million for the hydropower program, with $10 million for Section 242
and $10 million for Section 243. Hydropower is a proven renewable
electricity resource, accounting for nearly 7% of all U.S. electricity
production. However, increased WPTO investments can significantly
expand generation from this resource. For example, only 3% of the
approximately 80,000 existing dams in the U.S. currently generate
electricity. Other growth opportunities include increasing efficiencies
and expanding capacity at existing hydropower projects, new pumped
storage facilities, and new small hydro development. Pumped storage
represents a significant opportunity because of its increased grid
reliability benefits, additional energy storage, and support for the
integration of intermittent renewable generation resources.
The WPTO invests in hydropower technology RD&D for innovative
standardized and modular approaches to hydropower development that can
lower project costs versus traditional projects. For small hydropower
specifically, the WPTO supports standardization of new turbine designs,
as well as new advanced materials and manufacturing across the sector,
including applications at non-powered dams, irrigation channels, and
other waterways. This work increases generation opportunities with
innovations that also improve environmental performance. It also helps
reduces costs for companies that have capitalization challenges to fund
this work. The WPTO supports DOE's Advanced Energy Storage Initiative
and focuses on the role of hydropower and pumped storage in grid
reliability and resiliency by supporting innovative technologies and
conducting new research to evaluate and improve the flexibility and
grid services provided by these projects. The WPTO also supports
development of innovative environmental mitigation technologies, such
as novel fish passage systems and other advancements.
Marine Energy.--NHA requests at minimum the $137 million for the
marine energy program that was authorized on a bipartisan basis in the
Water Power R&D Act. Marine energy technologies-powered by water-based
renewable resources such as currents, tides, and waves-are undergoing
rapid innovation and will be critical in helping to reach 100% clean
energy targets and related climate change goals by 2035. Marine energy
will also provide benefits to the electric system and facilitate off-
grid ``Blue Economy'' market opportunities. These benefits include
marine energy's location near demand loads, relative predictability,
generating profiles, and resiliency. Finally, marine energy has
significant near-term promise, particularly in coastal, riverine, and
island environments that currently rely on high-cost fossil fuels.
Marine energy technologies offer the opportunity to provide lower cost
power while dramatically reducing harmful emissions for widely
distributed, previously underserved, or economically distressed
waterfront communities.
The U.S. has substantial marine energy resources, which are
geographically diverse, reliable, predictable, and environmentally
friendly. DOE conservatively estimates the marine energy resource in
all 50 states at 2,300 TWh/year, equivalent to 57% of U.S. electricity
generation (based on 2019 numbers). Utilizing just 10% of this
potential resource would equate to nearly 6% of total generation and
represents more than three times current solar generation, one quarter
of the U.S. coal fleet, and is enough to power approximately 22 million
homes.
The WPTO supports RD&D for marine energy systems and subsystems
ultimately leading to reduced costs and increased deployments. The WPTO
validates the reliability of marine energy technologies and the value
of integrating energy from prototype devices into the electric grid and
Blue Economy applications. These funds provide risk mitigation,
technical advancement and review, and early market growth
opportunities. The program has now established the following four focus
areas:
1-Materials and Components Research and Development; 2-Systems
Integration and Validation; 3-Testing and Reliability; and, 4-
Data, Modeling, and Analysis
NHA strongly supports additional funding in these focus areas.
There are wide ranges of design approaches to marine energy systems. It
is likely that different designs will be most effective in diverse
resource areas or for various market applications. Increased funding is
required to support the design, construction, and validation of marine
energy systems in open water deployments, with a balanced approach
across resource areas that reflects the higher funding requirements of
more mature designs. In addition, a key barrier to marine energy
technology development is the difficulty of testing new designs.
Funding is needed to establish and expand testing infrastructure
including open-water test centers such as PacWave. Funds are also
needed to conduct the tests along with environmental monitoring
technologies and research to expedite permitting and in-water
demonstration.
Unfortunately, the budget submission failed to request funding for
the following focus areas, which NHA urges the subcommittee to support:
Foundational Research.--Marine energy technologies present unique
engineering challenges that require collaborative foundational
innovations by cross-institution teams of researchers. NHA urges
establishment of dedicated funding for foundational research activities
led by universities and other research institutions affiliated with the
National Marine Energy Centers to accelerate development of the marine
energy sector and help train a skilled workforce for the Labs and
industry.
Powering the Blue Economy (PBE).--Marine energy systems can be a
cost-effective and reliable power source in several distributed ``Blue
Economy'' markets, such as aquaculture, desalination, oil and gas
production, underwater data centers, and other emerging needs. However,
prototypes must be tailored to specific applications and their
performance demonstrated to facilitate adoption in these markets. NHA
urges continued funding of the WPTO PBE activities.
other agencies
NHA also recommends close DOE coordination with other agency
partners, including the U.S. Navy on national security applications for
marine energy devices, along with FERC, BOEM, and NOAA for regulatory
efficiencies to support deployment. For hydropower deployment,
continued DOE engagement with FERC, USACE, BuRec, and federal resource
agencies is needed to address the amount of time to permit and license
projects. Finally, NHA urges Congress to increase funding to USACE and
BuRec to operate, maintain, and upgrade their existing projects, as
well as to add non-federal hydropower development to their non-powered
infrastructure. NHA also believes there are ways to make this
investment that do not increase costs to the power customers. The
federal hydropower system makes up approximately half of U.S.
hydropower generation. Many of these projects have been identified, by
the owners themselves or by equipment suppliers, as candidates for
upgrade potential and/or have backlogged O&M needs. USACE and BuRec
projects make the federal government itself one of the largest
renewable energy providers in the U.S. Reinvesting in these projects
will help to address climate change, provide economic and job
opportunities, and maximize the benefits of this public infrastructure.
[This statement was submitted by Malcolm Woolf, President and CEO,
National Hydropower Association.]
______
Prepared Statement of the National Marine Manufacturers Association
Dear Chairwoman Feinstein and Ranking Member Kennedy,
On behalf of the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA),
I thank you for convening this hearing to review the FY22 budget
submission for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the Bureau
of Reclamation (USBR). The Biden Administration and 117th Congress face
perhaps the most daunting challenges of our generation: rebuilding our
country from the health and economic crisis brought on by the COVID-19
pandemic and addressing the global climate crisis. As the subcommittee
looks to bolster the economy and address climate change through the
FY22 appropriations cycle, we stress that USACE and USBR, leaders in
providing public access for water-based recreation opportunities, have
the resources and funding necessary to manage and build more resilient
public recreation access, protect vulnerable communities, and rebuild
local economies through facilitating recreation economic activity.
NMMA is the trade association for the U.S. recreational boating
industry, representing nearly 1,300 marine businesses, including
recreational boat, marine engine and accessory manufacturers. NMMA
members collectively manufacture more than 85 percent of the marine
products sold in the U.S. Furthermore, the recreational boating
industry has a significant impact on our nation's economy and in
communities across the country, employing nearly 700,000 American jobs
across 35,000 U.S.-based marine businesses.
Led by the recreational boating industry, the outdoor recreation
economy is a major contributor to the U.S. economy, accounting for 2.1%
of GDP, $788 billion in economic output, and 5.2 million American jobs.
The role of recreational boating in our economy has only grown more
significant as Americans flocked to new outdoor activities amidst the
COVID-19 pandemic, with sales of new powerboats in the U.S. increasing
last year by an estimated 12% compared to 2019, reaching a 13-year
high. Over 44,000 new boat buyers entered the market between March and
June 2020, representing 10% year-over-year growth. There are many
encouraging aspects of this new growth including that roughly 30
percent of the industry's growth was made up of new buyers, may of
which were younger and more diverse.
While this rise has showcased the popularity of such activities as
a safe and fun way to spend time with loved ones, it has also
illuminated one of the most pressing issues facing the industry: the
need for adequate, sound, and up-to-date infrastructure that meets
demand. Given that a majority of public recreation access
infrastructure is already in need of significant maintenance and
modernizations, our aging access points and facilities are particularly
vulnerable to the effects of climate change. From rapidly changing
water levels to increased frequency and intensity of flooding events
and natural disasters in coastal and inland waterway areas, public
waterways and outdoor recreation infrastructure need bolstered
resilience. Without robust investment in our country's outdoor
recreation infrastructure, these economic contributions--along with
pastimes enjoyed by the vast majority of Americans--will be in
jeopardy.
Considering that boating and fishing are the top contributing
segments within the recreation economy and USACE and USBR together
offer the majority of water-based recreation opportunities, significant
potential to grow the outdoor economy-- and the entire U.S. economy--
can be achieved through elevating these agencies' role in supporting
recreation, which must be reflected in the appropriations cycle. Higher
prioritization of these agencies recreation-oriented activities can be
achieved through ensuring adequate funding from existing programs and
funding authorities and reforming antiquated project prioritization
processes that neglect to recognize the significant economic,
environmental, societal, and health benefits generated by recreation.
For example, USACE has over 5,000 sites in 43 states, generating
over $10 billion in economic impact and supporting 189,000 total jobs,
yet a majority of access infrastructure managed by USACE is in poor
condition. Of note, there were 256 million visits to USACE lake and
river projects in 2020 compared to the 237 million visitors NPS hosted.
Providing USACE and USBR with the necessary tools and resources to
better manage and support recreation access will go a long way towards
preserving the nation's lakes, reservoirs, rivers, waterways and the
economic impact of outdoor recreation.
It's important to note that USACE and USBR accounts that support
recreation are historically underfunded and both agencies are more
often than not completely excluded from or benefit considerably less
than other agencies through significantly impactful federal lands and
waters policy and funding mechanism such as the Federal Lands
Recreation Enhancement Act (FLREA) and the Great American Outdoors Act
(GAOA). For instance, While USACE manages recreation visitation and
transportation infrastructure asset catalogues on scale with the
National Park Service (NPS), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), and
the U.S. Forest Service (FS), these three agencies 1) are able to
retain a portion of recreation fee revenue to reinvest in recreation
infrastructure through FLREA authority, 2) are all GAOA recipients,
with NPS receiving 70 percent of total GAOA deferred maintenance
funding, and 3) receive direct set asides from the Federal Lands
Transportation Program (FLTP) that takes up a majority of the programs
funding leaving USACE, USBR, and BLM (another GAOA recipient) to
compete for any remaining funding to go towards maintaining
infrastructure that provides access to high-visitation.
On the navigation side of USACE activities, small recreation-based
ports are critical access points for inland and coastal communities
where businesses depend on marine recreation-based economic activity.
Yet, the benefit cost ration (BCR) criteria used to prioritize USACE
navigation projects only recognizes commercial activity in assessing
project economic benefits, failing to account for the value created by
access for recreation activities leaving our economy at a disadvantage.
Additionally, without sufficient dredging in recreation-based harbors
and waterways, some recreational boaters are forced to use high traffic
commercial channels, which can lead to potential user conflicts and
safety concerns. The federal government has a responsibility to
maintain all of nation's ports, harbors, and waterways, yet for too
long water infrastructure projects that support recreation access have
gone underappreciated and neglected, does not consistently account for
recreation within the scope of economic benefits a project provides.
Additionally, given that 84 percent of the U.S. recreational boating
industry is made up of small businesses, this commonsense modernization
of an antiquated process for prioritizing water infrastructure projects
will reenergize Main Street in coastal communities across the country.
BCR reform that would require USACE and the Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) to account for recreation as an economic impact in project
prioritization would exercise a more comprehensive approach that
ensures critical water infrastructure projects are funded on an
equitable, sustainable, and needs based system.
Systemic underfunding of these agencies' recreation facilities and
management, combined with USACE's lack of authority to reinvest
recreation fees into revenue-generating infrastructure assets, have
allowed this infrastructure to decay in the face of rising demand.
Maintaining this status quo jeopardizes the safety and viability of
recreation opportunities managed by the leading providers of water-
based public recreation access. Solutions that can be taken through the
FY22 process to address these deficiencies include:
--An additional investment of $40 million in the Operations &
Maintenance account allocated to USACE Natural Resources
Management (NRM) to continue the operation, maintenance, and
repair of existing recreation facilities and public access
including unfunded infrastructure maintenance needed to sustain
existing facilities at full capacity.
--Direct the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a
survey to provide an inventory of all federally managed
recreational boating infrastructure and facilities; an
assessment of annual operation and maintenance needs associated
with these sites; deferred operation and maintenance needs for
such infrastructure and facilities to operate safely at full
capacity; opportunities to expand capacity at existing access
points; and the economic impact of recreation on regional
economies and benefits of sustaining and improving public
access at recreational infrastructure and facilities.
--Dedicated Federal Lands Transportation Program (FLTP) set-aside
funding for USACE and USBR at amounts commensurate with each
respective agencies' public transportation improvement needs
and visitation demand.
--Extension of recreation fee retention authorities under FLREA to
USACE to provide a much-needed revenue source to improve the
quality of recreational assets and services and address the
backlog of maintenance needs.
--Reform BCR criteria to require USACE and OMB to account for
recreation as an economic impact to establish an equitable,
sustainable, and needs-based system for prioritization USACE
navigation projects.
On behalf of our members, I thank you for your leadership in
preparing FY22 appropriations legislation and appreciate the
opportunity to provide comments on how recreation infrastructure can
play an important role in economic recovery. NMMA stands ready to work
with you ensure adequate funding for federal land and water agencies
integral to providing public recreation access, and better enable the
thriving outdoor sector to get Americans back to work and revive local
economies across the country.
Sincerely.
[This statement was submitted by Callie Hoyt, Director, Federal
Government
Relations, National Marine Manufacturers Association.]
______
Prepared Statement of the National Water Resources Association
Chairwoman Feinstein and Ranking Member Kennedy,
Thank you for your efforts and attention to the importance of water
infrastructure and its critical connection to our nation's economic
wellbeing and recovery. You are not alone in recognizing the importance
of water to our nation and its economy. The National Water Resources
Association (NWRA) shares this conviction. As you embark on efforts to
develop the FY2022 Energy and Water Appropriations bill we urge you to
include robust funding for both the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation)
and the Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). Under your leadership
appropriations for Reclamation and USACE have increased in recent
years. We thank you for this funding. We now ask that you double down
on this effort and further increase funds allocated to our nations
water infrastructure. Increasing appropriations dedicated to water
infrastructure is one of the most effective ways to protect human
health and drive economic recovery in both the near and long term.
The NWRA is a nonpartisan, nonprofit federation of state water
resources associations, regional associations, agricultural, and
municipal water providers. Our members provide water and hydropower to
approximately 50 million individuals, families, agricultural producers,
and other businesses in a manner that supports communities, the
economy, and the environment. Our membership spans the Western United
States as well as portions of the Southeastern United States.
In light of the country's current economic concerns, it is
important to emphasize the positive impact water infrastructure has on
both our health and the economy. Water infrastructure systems provide
communities, businesses, industry, agricultural producers and our
citizens with an all-important supply of water that is needed not only
to survive and thrive, but to drive economy recovery.
Reclamation and USACE water infrastructure is a cornerstone of our
nation's economy and will be a catalyst for economic recovery and
prosperity. A total of approximately $20 billion dollars was required
to build Reclamation's entire infrastructure system.\1\ Every year,
this infrastructure returns over $63 billion in direct and associated
economic activity.\2\ The USACE delivers similar economic benefit.
Between 2010 and 2013, each dollar invested in USACE civil works
generated about $16 in economic benefits and $5 in U.S. Treasury
revenues.\3\ In other words, every year our economy recoups its
investment in Reclamation and USACE projects multiple times over. These
economic benefits are realized in communities large and small
throughout the nation.
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\1\ CRS Report R41844 The Reclamation Fund: A Primer https://
crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R41844.
\2\ U.S. Department of the Interior, Department of the Interior's
Economic Report FY 2018 https://www.doi.gov/sites/doi.gov/files/
uploads/fy-2018-econ-report-final-9-30-19-v2.pdf.
\3\ U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Determining the return on
investment of Civil Works projects: A look behind the scenes, Sept. 28,
2017 https://www.lrb.usace.army.mil/Media/News-Stories/Article/1328990/
determining-the-return-on-investment-of-civil-works-projects-a-look-
behind-the/.
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As the congressional panel which funds both Reclamation and the
USACE we ask you to please support strong funding levels for water
infrastructure across the board. We also recommend robust and targeted
appropriations that would:
--Invest in aging infrastructure for both the delivery and storage of
water. Both Reclamation and the USACE have multi-billion dollar
aging infrastructure backlogs. On April 21, 2021 Reclamation
released its Asset Management Report. In this report
Reclamation identified approximately 2,800 major rehabilitation
and replacement activities (MR&R) with estimated cost totaling
$11.9 billion over the next 30 years.\4\ Investing in aging
infrastructure now, including implementation and funding of the
aging infrastructure authority provided in recent omnibus
(Division FF, Title XI, Sec.1101 of P.L. 116-260), will save
considerable dollars. If these needs are ignored infrastructure
will degrade, water services and the communities that depend on
them will suffer, and repair and replacement costs will grow.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\4\ U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation), Asset Management
Report, April 21, 2021 https://www.usbr.gov/infrastructure/docs/asset-
management-report-to-congress.pdf.
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Last year Congress authorized a new Aging Infrastructure revolving
loan program for Reclamation, the Administration has requested $1
million dollars for this program. This is not sufficient. We
respectfully request you increase funding in this account to $10
million for FY2022.
--In recognition of climate impacts on water supply increase funding
to; enhance, maintain, and upgrade physical infrastructure at
surface, groundwater, and conjunctive use projects to help
capture water in wet years for use in dry years. This would be
cost effective, ease drought effects, address flooding and
minimize environmental impact.
--Fund partnerships with state and/or local entities, to perform work
on non-federal projects to optimize storage and delivery
capability. Allow federal investment in repairing non-federal
dams which are deemed unsafe by state regulators. When states
limit reservoir capacity because of safety hazards to a full
reservoir, the local community served by these reservoirs
suffers economically.
--Provide a significant infusion of construction funds to the already
under construction Reclamation rural water projects. These
projects receive insufficient annual funding, increasing their
total cost and forcing rural and tribal communities to wait
even longer for safe and reliable drinking water supplies.
Completing these projects would open additional funding
opportunity to develop water efficiencies and better manage
long-term drought impacts.
--Increasing investment in water re-use and recycling projects.
This concept has experienced growing interest and advanced technology
has made such projects more efficient and effective.
--Embrace technology and invest in effective green infrastructure
projects including water conservation, fish passage, efficiency
technologies, and habitat restoration.
--Identify and expand hydropower opportunities to support energy
independence and carbon emissions reduction.
We welcome the opportunity to work with you and support your
efforts to provide a significant increase of funding to Reclamation and
the USACE.
Thank you for your consideration and your attention to the
importance of our nation's water infrastructure. Please do not hesitate
to contact me at ilyle@nwra.org if you would like any additional
information. Thank you again for your dedication to our nation and its
water infrastructure.
Respectfully.
[This statement was submitted by Ian Lyle, Executive Vice
President, National Water Resources Association.]
______
Prepared Statement of The Nature Conservancy
Chairman Feinstein, Ranking Member Kennedy and members of the
Subcommittee, thank you for the opportunity to present The Nature
Conservancy's (TNC's) testimony on fiscal year 2022 (FY22)
appropriations for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), Bureau of
Reclamation (Reclamation) and Department of Energy (DOE). TNC
respectfully requests the Subcommittee's support for programs and
investments needed to ensure the economic and environmental benefits of
this work are enhanced today and made sustainable for tomorrow.
u.s. army corps of engineers
Chesapeake Bay Oyster Recovery: Ongoing oyster restoration work has
functionally restored several tributaries in Virginia and Maryland,
demonstrating that strong partnerships between private, state and
federal agencies can accomplish tangible outcomes in the Chesapeake
Bay. TNC supports the administration's FY22 budget request of $3.88
million to continue the essential work of restoring the eastern oyster.
Claiborne and Millers Ferry Locks and Dams (Fish Passage) Study,
Lower Alabama River: The Claiborne and Millers Ferry locks and dams
were built in the 1950s and 1960s to ease navigation and produce
hydropower on the Alabama River. They also expanded recreational
opportunities along the river. Unfortunately, they became major
roadblocks for species that migrate up the Alabama River and into the
Cahaba River. This study, for which TNC is the non-federal sponsor,
will examine options for ecologically reconnecting the rivers. TNC
supports the administration's FY22 budget request of $600,000 for the
study.
Engineering With Nature (EWN): The Corps' EWN initiative is using a
collaborative, science-based approach to better deliver a full range of
economic, social and environmental benefits from the Corps' water
resources infrastructure. It is also leading work to share, train and
support Corps districts and other partners on how to effectively
develop nature-based projects. Its innovative approaches are building
stronger, more resilient communities and a healthier environment. TNC
was pleased Congress created a new budget line for EWN in FY21
appropriations. TNC urges the Subcommittee to maintain funding for EWN
at $12.5 million.
Hatchie/Loosahatchie Habitat Restoration Study (Tennessee and
Arkansas): The Lower Mississippi River supports diverse fish and
wildlife populations as well as outdoor recreation opportunities, yet
it has access to just 10 percent its original floodplain. Ecological
restoration can improve fish and wildlife habitat, facilitate
groundwater infiltration and nutrient processing and provide
recreational opportunities without negatively impacting flood risk
management and navigation. This study is an important start in that
effort. TNC supports the FY22 budget request of $600,000 for the study.
Navigation and Ecosystem Sustainability Program (NESP): NESP is an
important, dual-purpose program that allows the Corps to address both
navigation and ecosystem restoration in an integrated approach along
the upper Mississippi and Illinois rivers. Past committee support led
to $5 million in pre-construction engineering and design (PED) funding
in the Corps' FY21 work plan. TNC requests the Subcommittee include
$22.5 million for NESP in FY22 and the authority to begin construction
to continue this important work and advance the program's navigation
and ecosystem restoration benefits.
St. Louis Riverfront-Meramec River Basin Ecosystem Restoration: The
Meramec River basin of central Missouri is among the most biologically
significant river basins in North America. It contains diverse and rare
aquatic and terrestrial species, including six species of endangered
mussels. The Corps has completed an ecosystem restoration feasibility
study of critical restoration projects within the Meramec River basin,
which Congress authorized for construction in the Water Resource
Development Act of 2020. TNC requests $1.4 million for PED for the
project in FY22.
Sustainable Rivers Program (SRP): SRP is an initiative to modernize
the operations of the nation's reservoirs to enhance water supply,
flood protection, hydropower generation and recreation while restoring
critical ecosystems and the economically valuable services they
provide. The challenges related to providing water supply and flood
protection are growing and will only increase due to climate change.
SRP works collaboratively with local communities, water stakeholders,
states and other federal agencies to update decades-old water
management practices to better meet society's needs. With increased
funding in FY20 and FY21, the Corps has been able to significantly
expand the program from 16 rivers encompassing 66 reservoirs and 5,083
downstream river miles to 36 rivers encompassing 78 reservoirs, 10,114
downstream river miles in addition to new water infrastructure like
locks and dams. TNC requests maintaining funding at $5 million for the
SRP in FY22.
Upper Mississippi River Restoration (UMRR) Program: UMRR supports
coordinated habitat rehabilitation and enhancement projects and
monitoring for the upper Mississippi River system. Thirty years of
successful partnership has completed more than 56 projects benefiting
more than 107,000 acres of aquatic and floodplain habitat. Completion
of new projects in the pipeline will benefit an additional 75,000 acres
of aquatic and floodplain habitat. TNC supports full authorized funding
of $55 million for UMRR in FY22.
bureau of reclamation
Cooperative Watershed Management Program: This program helps
diverse water interests throughout a watershed--tribes, local and state
governments, landowners, farmers and ranchers, and nongovernmental
organizations--work collaboratively to develop regional, multi-benefit
water solutions. Applicants can use funding through Phase 1 of the
program to help communities form watershed groups to assess and develop
projects that respond to community water needs, and they can use
funding through Phase 2 to help fund those projects. With so many
successful Phase 1 groups now ready with plans and projects, TNC
requests full funding for the Cooperative Watershed Management program
at $20 million in FY22.
Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery and San Juan River
Basin Recovery Programs: These programs take a balanced approach to
recovering four endangered fish species by implementing a range of
basin-wide strategies and provide Endangered Species Act compliance for
more than 2,500 water projects. TNC requests full funding for these
programs, including $5.7 million in the FY22 budget request for capital
construction activities through the Upper Colorado Region's Endangered
Species Recovery Implementation Program. TNC also appreciates the
Subcommittee's efforts since FY19 to fund environmental programs for
the Colorado River at $21.4 million, a portion of which supports the
Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program and San Juan
River Basin Recovery Implementation Program. TNC requests continued
funding for these activities in FY22.
WaterSMART Program: The WaterSMART Program has new authority this
year to award grants to non-profit organizations working with
traditional grant recipients, provide higher levels of match for multi-
purpose projects and support nature-based solutions. These changes will
help prioritize projects that both enhance water delivery reliability
and benefit watershed health. Nevertheless, TNC remains concerned that
some projects funded through WaterSMART grants can increase consumptive
use of water, which makes water shortages worse. TNC appreciates the
Subcommittee's past attention to the program and requests continued
oversight by again including report language similar to report language
accompanying FY21 appropriations and directing Reclamation to
prioritize multi-benefit projects, including such projects that
incorporate nature-based strategies.
u.s. department of energy
TNC supports robust funding for multiple DOE programs that
accelerate the advancement of clean energy technologies and facilitate
the department's shift in focus towards decarbonization of the U.S.
economy. This includes programs that were created or reauthorized by
the Energy Act of 2020.
Advanced Research Projects Agency--Energy (ARPA-E): ARPA-E is an
innovative and successful program supporting ``high-risk, high-reward''
research that has the potential to drastically alter how the United
States makes and uses energy in the future. TNC requests at least $500
million in FY22.
Solar and Wind Energy Technologies: TNC requests strong funding for
overall research, development and deployment mission of these critical
energy technology offices, including at least $370 million for the
Solar Technology Office and at least $180 million for the Wind
Technology Office. TNC also requests that the following report language
be included:
The Committee provides no less than $30,000,000 for technology
development, testing and verification of technologies and other
research that help on- and offshore wind energy projects avoid,
minimize and mitigate impacts on wildlife and habitat. The department's
efforts should include technologies that enable near real-time
monitoring and mitigation system for large whales, technologies that
enable and improve scientific research into wind-wildlife interactions,
research on how to site wind to avoid impacts to the most sensitive
wildlife and habitat and research and demonstration projects to remove
barriers to adoption of wind technology on previously disturbed lands
such as landfills and former mines.
The Committee provides no less than $40,000,000 for technology
development, testing and verification of technologies and other
research that help solar energy projects avoid, minimize and mitigate
impacts on wildlife and habitat, including through improved scientific
research into avian-solar interactions, siting solar to avoid impacts
to the most sensitive wildlife and habitat and research and
demonstration projects to remove barriers to adoption of solar
technology on previously disturbed lands such as landfills and former
mines.
Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) and State Energy Program
(SEP): Together, WAP and SEP provides critical funds to improve energy
efficiency across the country, with both programs found to provide at
least $4 in benefits for every federal dollar spent. TNC requests at
least $350 million in FY22 for WAP and $70 million for SEP. We would
also support additional funding for Challenge Grants as a supplement to
SEP as outlined in the president's FY22 budget request.
Industrial Emissions Reduction Technology Development Program: TNC
supports robust funding for this new program created under the Clean
Industrial Technology Act to help accelerate reductions in emissions
from industrial processes and manufacturing. That includes a specific
request of $80 million in FY22 for demonstration projects, as
authorized.
Advanced Nuclear Energy: TNC requests at least $405 million for the
existing Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program and $33.075 million for
the new Advanced Nuclear Fuel Availability Program as established by
the Energy Act of 2020.
Carbon Capture, Utilization, Storage and Removal: TNC supports
robust funding for the Office of Fossil Energy to deploy carbon
management technologies. That includes a request of $871.3 million for
carbon capture program. Within that, $225 million should be allocated
to pilot projects, $500 million to demonstration projects and $50
million to support FEED studies. TNC also requests $200 million for the
carbon storage program and $55.25 million for carbon utilization. TNC
supports appropriations of at least $252.5 million across multiple
offices for RD&D related to carbon removal, including $115 million for
the DAC prizes and $63.5 million for the carbon dioxide removal program
established in Title V of the Energy Act of 2020.
Energy Storage: TNC requests at least $150 million in FY22 to
support DOE's Energy Storage Grand Challenge, including $100 million
for the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy and $50
million for the Office of Electricity.
Advanced Vehicle Technologies: TNC supports robust funding to help
advance the decarbonization of the transportation sector or the
development of new zero-carbon fuels for transportation and other end
uses. TNC requests at least $494 million for the Vehicle Technologies
Office and $200 million of the Office of Hydrogen and Fuel Cell
Technologies.
Thank you for this opportunity to submit TNC's recommendations for
the FY22 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Bill.
[This statement was submitted by Jimmy Hague, Senior Water Policy
Advisor, The Nature Conservancy.]
______
Prepared Statement of the Nuclear Waste Strategy Coalition
The NWSC is an ad hoc organization representing the collective
interests of member state utility regulators, consumer advocates,
attorneys general, and radiation control officials; tribal governments;
local governments; electric utilities with operating and/or shutdown
nuclear reactors; and other experts on nuclear waste policy matters. We
call upon Congress to appropriate funds in Fiscal Year 2022 to the
Department of Energy (DOE) and Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) such
that each agency has the sustainable annual funding necessary to
undertake critical activities related to their respective roles in
developing, managing, and regulating an integrated program for the
storage, transportation, and disposal of the nation's spent nuclear
fuel (SNF), Greater-Than-Class C (GTCC) waste, and other high-level
radioactive waste (HLW). For DOE, these programs include:
--Office of Nuclear Energy (NE) Integrated Waste Management Systems
(IWMS) activities;
--NE Used Nuclear Fuel Disposition Research & Development activities;
--``Nuclear Waste Disposal'' activities per the FY 2021 Consolidated
Appropriations Act; and
--Activities necessary to develop and manage a national integrated
nuclear waste program, including establishment of and support
for an office dedicated to nuclear waste management.
For the NRC, that entails funding for activities necessary to
ensure the safety of a national integrated nuclear waste program,
including storage, transportation, and disposal of SNF and GTCC waste
from commercial nuclear power production. As a general matter,
direction to both agencies concerning these matters remains unclear,
and despite Congressional appropriations of a new $27.5 million to DOE
in FY 2021 for ``expenses necessary for nuclear waste disposal
activities to carry out the purposes of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of
1982, Public Law 97-425, as amended, including interim storage
activities,'' this funding did not establish the meaningful integrated
nuclear waste management program that our nation needs and that we have
gone without for more than a decade. Thus, our testimony focuses on the
need for Congress to both appropriate funds for such an integrated
program and to provide sustainable annual access to the Nuclear Waste
Fund (NWF). It also highlights our concerns with prior Senate-proposed
EWD language and our opposition to reinstatement of a uranium
enrichment decontamination and decommissioning (D&D) tax.
existing challenges to nuclear waste management
The national nuclear waste management program established under the
1982 Nuclear Waste Policy Act (NWPA) was effectively terminated more
than a decade ago by executive action. Subsequently, Congress has
failed to provide meaningful direction or funding for that program or
any national integrated nuclear waste management program. Since 1983,
approximately $54 billion has been credited to the NWF, including over
$21 billion collected from electric ratepayers and over $28 billion in
interest that continues to accumulate at a rate of over $1.7 billion a
year. The approximately $43 billion balance sits stranded in U.S.
Treasury Securities and unappropriated for its intended purpose. These
facts have resulted in a de facto national policy of inaction that
negatively impacts:
--Host States & Communities. The de facto policy indefinitely strands
80,000 metric tons of commercial SNF and HLW at operating and
decommissioned reactor sites in 34 states without their
consent. At shutdown sites, the stranded waste impedes the
potential beneficial reuse of the property (e.g., conservation,
economic development).
--All U.S. Taxpayers. The de facto policy already has cost U.S.
taxpayers more than $8.6 billion, and this liability is growing
by approximately $2 million per day, money that could be used
for infrastructure and other purposes.
--Electric Customers. While no longer paying fees into the federal
NWF per court order, electric ratepayers in more than 40 states
paid billions of dollars that are not being used for their
intended purpose.
call for action & specific ewd requests
The federal government can and should establish a national
integrated nuclear waste management program and simultaneously reform
the federal budgetary treatment of the NWF to provide sustainable
annual access to the $43 billion balance and the accumulating future
interest. This action is needed now to avoid permanently stranding this
material in host states and communities; address the negative economic
impacts to states, communities, and taxpayers; and enable the federal
government to meet its statutory and contractual obligations to
electric customers under a law established nearly 40 years ago.
Specifically, the NWSC requests that Congress:
--Support reforms of the federal budgetary treatment of the NWF such
that sustainable annual access is provided to the funds
collected from electric customers to support the development
and management of a national integrated nuclear waste storage,
transportation, and disposal program.
--Fund establishment of a national integrated nuclear waste
management program, including:
--A dedicated office in DOE that reports directly to the Secretary
and focuses on nuclear waste management. A dedicated
nuclear waste management office would provide a focal point
for SNF and HLW work, facilitate necessary engagement with
external stakeholders, and demonstrate an intent and
commitment to take meaningful action. Congress has
previously recognized the importance of a single-purpose
entity that reports to the Secretary, and such an office
would benefit external stakeholders and DOE's workforce.
Whether coordinating with private entities on proposed
consolidated interim storage (CIS) facilities; interacting
with states and communities potentially interested in
hosting a nuclear waste management facility; or managing
future Congressional directives regarding the nation's
nuclear waste, there are substantial tasks that can be
pursued now, and DOE needs a dedicated team to focus on
these issues and meet with interested and affected parties.
--Simultaneous pursuit of permanent disposal and a CIS pilot with
priority for SNF from shutdown reactors. Because permanent
disposal is necessary and a determination on the Yucca
Mountain license application is necessary to move forward
on permanent disposal, Congress should provide both NRC and
DOE the funds necessary to resume their respective roles in
the license review. Simultaneously, Congress should provide
DOE funds to facilitate private or federal efforts to site
a pilot CIS facility with priority for waste stranded at
shutdown commercial nuclear power plant sites, and Congress
should provide NRC funds to carry out licensing activities
pertaining to such CIS facilities.
--Continuation and expansion of constructive initiatives related to
transportation infrastructure. Congress should fund work at
federal agencies that facilitates SNF transportation, as it
will be necessary regardless of destination. For example,
the assessment of transportation infrastructure needs at
shutdown plant sites and the testing, certification, and
procurement of railcars and licensed transportation
containers and components in sufficient quantities are
constructive activities that should continue.
--Increased financial and technical assistance to tribal, state,
and local governments. Such assistance for transportation-
related emergency preparedness training and activities will
provide the public greater assurance that the health,
safety, and welfare of its communities will be preserved
during SNF transport.
--Communicate to DOE that it is time to pursue measures beyond
information-gathering and reports, particularly on topics that
have been sufficiently examined by the Blue Ribbon Commission
on America's Nuclear Future, the U.S. Government Accountability
Office, et al.
We urge the Committee to address these items in its markup as a
critical step and urge Congress to restructure the funding and spending
mechanisms for the NWF to provide the necessary funding certainty to
implement an integrated nuclear waste management program over multiple
decades. This should include sustainable access to the NWF while
maintaining Congressional oversight of the program's progress. These
actions would demonstrate that Congress is committed to ensuring that
the federal government carries out its statutory and contractual
responsibilities.
concerns with prior senate ewd appropriations language
The NWSC has previously communicated concerns with certain Senate-
proposed provisions (e.g., Section 306 of S. 2470, 116th Cong., 2019).
First, such language would fail to move forward on CIS and permanent
disposal in parallel, a key element of a successful integrated nuclear
waste management program. Second, establishment of specific consent-
based siting requirements by statute is not necessary, as potential
hosts should have the flexibility to negotiate the process and
conditions that best serve the interests of their jurisdictions. Third,
it would not address underlying funding concerns while expanding
Congressional authority to tap the NWF and increase the potential for
restarting the fee on electric customers. Finally, such language raised
consequential questions about whether DOE will be allowed to engage
either federal or private initiatives to facilitate CIS and whether
access to the CIS may be limited.
Having reiterated concerns with previous language, the NWSC greatly
appreciates the EWD Subcommittee's focus on these important issues.
Additionally, we seek an opportunity to engage further with your team
on alternative approaches for making meaningful progress toward
establishment of a national integrated nuclear waste management
program.
uranium enrichment decontamination & decommissioning (d&d) tax
NWSC opposes reinstatement of a uranium enrichment D&D tax.
Although supportive of environmental cleanup of enrichment sites, U.S.
nuclear-generating utilities and their customers should not be singled
out again to pay for D&D of DOE facilities developed for national
defense.
closing
On behalf of the NWSC, we appreciate this opportunity, welcome
further engagement, and respectfully request that Congress address
these issues in a process with robust stakeholder input.
[This statement was submitted by Katrina McMurrian, Executive
Director,
Nuclear Waste Strategy Coalition.]
______
Prepared Statement of the Oregon Water Resources Congress
The Oregon Water Resources Congress (OWRC) has been concerned over
the last several years about reductions to the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers (USACE) Civil Works budget and is supportive the President's
Proposed FY 2022 Budget requesting increased appropriations for this
program at $6.8 billion. The USACE Civil Works program addresses vital
water resource needs throughout the nation, and in Oregon, the USACE
Northwestern Division operates on our two largest river systems, the
Columbia River, and the Willamette River, as well as maintaining
Oregon's coastal rivers for navigation. Increased funding would help
support and leverage collaborative state level planning efforts by
USACE in Oregon and nationwide. A tangible example of the need is the
impending reallocation of water resources among USACE's thirteen Oregon
reservoirs among agricultural, municipal, and environmental uses.
OWRC was established in 1912 as a trade association to support the
protection of water rights and promote the wise stewardship of water
resources statewide. OWRC members are local governmental entities,
which include irrigation districts, water control districts, drainage
districts, water improvement districts, and other agricultural water
suppliers that deliver water to roughly 1/3 of all irrigated land in
Oregon. These water stewards operate and manage complex water
management systems, including water supply reservoirs, canals,
pipelines, and hydropower facilities.
Our members across Oregon face challenges related to irrigation
water supply, reliability, and aging infrastructure. While there are
common concerns and interests throughout irrigated agriculture, each
basin is unique, and necessitates local communities working together to
identify needs and developing solutions to best meet them. The two
largest river systems in Oregon (the Columbia River and the Willamette
River) are managed by USACE and play a vital role in providing not only
water supplies for agriculture, but also ports and passage for
transporting food and fiber globally, flood protection for communities,
fish and wildlife benefits, hydropower production, and recreation.
Additional funding for the Civil Works budget is needed to ensure USACE
has the necessary resources to meet the myriad of infrastructure needs
of those systems, without placing the entire burden on the backs of the
farmers and ranchers who produce food and fiber for our nation.
fy2022 appropriations
We recognize we must make strategic investments with scarce
resources. The USACE Civil Works program is a perfect example of a
budget that should have funding increased because the water
infrastructure it encompasses directly contributes to the economy as
well protecting public safety and the environment. OWRC feels strongly
USACE needs substantially increased funding to provide critical repairs
on our nation's aging water infrastructure to prevent catastrophic
failure, as well as address routine operations and maintenance on other
infrastructure before it becomes irreparable.
willamette basin reservoir study
The Portland District of the USACE Northwestern Division operates
thirteen dams and reservoirs in the Willamette Basin, with a combined
storage capacity of over 1.6 million acre-feet. The dams were
constructed primarily to protect downstream communities from flooding
but also store and release water for irrigation, hydropower generation,
water quality, fish and wildlife flows, and recreation. Since the
construction of the dams started in the 1930s, Oregon has seen a
dramatic increase in population, which in turn has spurred increased
development, agriculture, and a whole host of new demands on the
reservoirs. Municipal water entities would like access to available
stored water to better meet drinking water needs for growing
communities as well as businesses such as the high-tech industry.
Additionally, there are fish and wildlife species in the river system
listed under the Endangered Species Act and related ecosystem
restoration needs not contemplated when the facilities were
constructed.
Following years of stakeholder engagement, the Willamette Basin
Reservoir Study has been finalized and but there is still significant
work that needs to occur before any reallocation can occur. It is
crucial that ACOE remains at the table and collaboratively works with
state agencies and stakeholders to flush out various details needed to
determine how the reservoirs can best help meet the myriad of current
and future water demands in the Willamette Basin. OWRC would like to
see continued funding to support ongoing efforts related to the
implementation of the Willamette Reallocation included in the USACE
Civil Works FY 2022 budget to support this important effort.
additional funding programs
OWRC is encouraged by the recent additions to the USACE Civil Works
program including funding for climate change response and resiliency,
dam safety and earthquake hazard reduction; however, programs as
important as these should receive even more funding. Additional funding
is needed to support and leverage state efforts to identify and address
earthquake hazards. Oregon faces the risk of a catastrophic earthquake
from the Cascadia Subduction Zone and the state is in the early stages
of planning and mitigating to improve seismic resiliency. It is
uncertain when or how devastating the earthquake could be, but it is
clear there would be broad impacts, particularly since most
infrastructure was constructed prior to the discovery of the fault and
does not meet current seismic standards.
Aging water infrastructure is particularly vulnerable and there is
a significant need for financial and technical assistance to upgrade
reservoirs and other key facilities. Without increased earthquake
preparedness and dam safety funding, Oregon cannot mitigate the
potential damage. We encourage the House to further fund these programs
to effectively prepare the states for earthquakes and prevent
widespread devastation to people and property.
Additionally, like many other western states, Oregon has been
experiencing more frequent and severe drought conditions. For Oregon,
the drought stems from a lack of snowpack that serves as the natural
water storage throughout the year for many farms, communities, and fish
and wildlife. The impacts may take longer to show, but drought can be
as devastating as earthquakes, hurricanes, and other natural disasters.
Impacts from prolonged drought take time to recover from and like
other natural disasters, the best way to survive and help communities
recover is through coordinated planning and developing diverse tools to
use when these crises occur. We know from our experience working with
our state agency and partner organizations in Oregon that funding for
planning, feasibility, and implementation of projects to increase
drought preparedness and resiliency is a cornerstone to an
economically, socially, and environmentally sound approach for a
sustainable water future.
In conclusion, we wholeheartedly support the proposed appropriation
of at least $6.8 billion for the USACE Civil Works budget for FY 2022.
The critical nature of the water infrastructure services the USACE
provides requires a budget that matches the seriousness of the national
need, and the importance of the water supply, navigation, public
safety, and other natural resources benefits it provides. Thank you for
the opportunity to provide testimony regarding the FY 2022 budget for
the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Sincerely.
[This statement was submitted by April Snell, Executive Director,
Oregon Water Resources Congress.]
______
Prepared Statement of Pearl Certification
As a national market leader in residential energy efficiency
certification, Pearl Certification (``Pearl'') respectfully urges your
support, through the Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 Energy and Water Development
Appropriations bill, to provide robust funding to advance programs at
the Department of Energy (DOE) that invest in residential energy
efficiency and whole-house initiatives. The President's FY 2022 budget
request makes significant investments in the Weatherization Assistance
Program, State Energy Program, and Building Technologies Office. For
the many reasons detailed below, we urge Congress to continue support
for these programs and work to ensure that sub accounts within the DOE
Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy are robustly funded so
that their important work may continue and expand.
Pearl provides third-party certification of high-performing homes;
homes that are healthy, comfortable, resilient, and energy efficient.
Pearl's certification drives demand for these improvements by making
them visible at time of appraisal, sale, and/or refinance, allowing
their full value to be captured in the sale price. The Pearl
Certification is designed to fill a gap that has existed in the
residential marketplace by helping consumers find and sell high-
performing homes with an easy-to-use, contractor-friendly certification
system that creates an inventory of the home's energy efficiency,
health, comfort, resilience and other ``high-performing'' assets.\1\
Pearl has created networks of elite contractors and real estate
brokers: market leaders who provide high quality goods and services.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Pearl system provides homeowners, homebuyers, real estate
agents, appraisers, and underwriters with different and complementary
information that meets their need to understand and value the home's
features. New and existing homes can earn a Pearl certification, and
the home's record and Pearl score can be updated as further
improvements are made. The report that accompanies a Pearl
certification includes detailed information on ways that the home's
assets impact its comfort, indoor air quality, and energy consumption.
Contractors also use the scoring system as an educational tool to help
homeowners understand the benefits of high-performing equipment and
services.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
With paying customers in over twenty states, Pearl has scored over
65,000 homes to date. Pearl is the only market-based firm approved by
the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy to
administer their Home Performance with ENERGY STAR(r) program for
existing homes, and was accepted into the 2017 National Association of
REALTORS(r) (NAR) prestigious REACH Technology Accelerator. Pearl's
current pilot partnership with NYSERDA positions Pearl's certification
system as a voluntary home labeling system which will help states and
municipalities meet carbon reduction goals.
Dollar for dollar, investments in energy efficiency create more
jobs than investment in the utility sector or fossil-fuels.\2\ As a
result, investments in DOE programs that support energy efficiency--
like those in the Building Technologies Office--lead to job creation
and economic growth. In fact, energy efficiency is the largest employer
and fastest growing sector in the energy industry. The 2020 ``Energy
Efficiency Jobs in America'' \3\ report from E4TheFuture found that,
prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the energy efficiency industry employed
nearly 2.4 million Americans and was adding more jobs than any other
energy sector. The industry was expected to see another 3% growth in
2020. Instead, over 18% of the energy efficiency workforce (430,000
workers) lost their jobs in the initial months of the pandemic. While
other sectors experienced robust recoveries in the second half of 2020,
energy efficiency did not: In December 2020, over half of energy
efficiency workers laid off in the spring (230,000) were still out of
work.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ ACEEE. N.d. Energy Efficiency and Economic Opportunity.
Retrieved from http://aceee.org/files/pdf/fact-sheet/ee-economic-
opportunity.pdf.
\3\ https://e4thefuture.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/
EE_Jobs_America_2020.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The residential buildings sector remains a largely untapped
resource for carbon reduction goals. Residential buildings account for
21% of total U.S. energy consumption,\4\ consume more electricity than
any other sector,\5\ and are the largest contributor to peak demand,\6\
all of which make this sector particularly important from a carbon
emissions reduction standpoint. In addition, the occupants of the vast
majority of homes in the U.S. experience comfort problems, health
issues, and/or high utility bills. The residential sector's energy
consumption can be significantly reduced, and other related problems
addressed, through single-measure and whole-house upgrades. Residential
energy efficiency jobs were hit particularly hard by the pandemic and
statewide lockdown orders. Supporting these jobs as part of our
nation's recovery will be critical.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\4\ https://www.eia.gov/totalenergy/data/monthly/pdf/mer.pdf.
\5\ https://www.eia.gov/electricity/annual/html/epa_01_02.html.
\6\ https://www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2019/04/f61/bto-
geb_overview-4.15.19.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) at DOE
has advanced innovative technology solutions and helped identify the
most effective means to increase buildings' energy efficiency in order
to reduce carbon emissions through research, development, field
validation, deployment, demonstration, consumer education, and
technical assistance activities. To ensure that these innovative energy
technologies, practices, and information can be fully utilized by
American consumers to reduce carbon emissions, Congress should support
coordination with the private sector and support demonstration and
deployment activities that integrate and bring these solutions to
market.
Residential energy efficiency programs at the Department of Energy
deserve the support of the American taxpayer as these programs are
proven to provide a significant return on investment. When funded they
will continue to provide energy cost relief to households, support
American-based industry and American jobs, ameliorate issues with the
aging electrical grid, and support national security goals. We also
urge additional funding either through regular appropriations or
supplemental funding in the event an energy/infrastructure package is
considered. In the event that opportunity presents itself, we would
urge funding for the HOPE for HOMES program to advance workforce
training and residential retrofit rebates supported by the President's
Budget Request ($2 billion in FY22).
We respectfully urge funding of $80M for the Residential Building
Integration program within the Building Technologies Office, which has
the capacity to fundamentally transform the performance of homes and
greatly improve the energy efficiency in the 115 million existing
residential buildings throughout this country. Residential buildings
account for 21% of total U.S. energy consumption, use more electricity
than any other sector, and are therefore an essential (albeit often
overlooked) part of the carbon reduction equation. RBI can
significantly improve the energy efficiency in the residential sector
through its partnerships with the thousands of small businesses in this
sector, the construction trades, equipment, smart grid technology and
systems suppliers, integrators and state and local governments.
Home Performance with ENERGY STAR, which advances contractor
engagement in high efficiency equipment installations, is just one
example of a crucial residential program within RBI. To date,
approximately 875,000 energy efficiency improvement projects have been
completed on existing homes through the Home Performance with ENERGY
STAR program. We recommend that this program receive a line item in the
budget for at least $80 million and that the funding be focused on
facilitating later-stage research, demonstration, and widespread
deployment of technology solutions in new and existing homes, with an
emphasis on whole-house energy efficiency retrofits (including
outreach, engagement and training to private sector contractors) and
continuing efforts to advance grid-interactive residential buildings
and smart home technology.
We encourage the direct engagement with residential contractors and
home certification businesses, which are crucial to the success of
buildings programs. We also urge continued efforts to address
visibility of high performing features in residential buildings as a
way to ensure that they are properly valued and to create market
incentives to drive additional improvements. RBI deserves the support
of the American taxpayer as it is proven to provide a significant
return on investment and provide economic, health, resiliency, and
carbon reduction benefits. Again, we respectfully urge Congress to fund
Residential Building Integration at no less than $80 million.
DOE's residential energy efficiency programs and initiatives are
critical to the continued advancement of the energy efficiency
industry, which contributes to the country's overall economic growth,
energy independence, and international competitiveness, and also
represents a significant and largely untapped resource for carbon
reduction. We once again urge Congress to support these programs with
robust funding for FY22 so they may continue their important work,
including continued efforts to address property rating and valuation in
buildings. Thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony. We look
forward to working with you.
[This statement was submitted by Robin LeBaron, Co-Founder,
President and COO, Pearl Certification.]
______
Prepared Statement of San Juan Water Commission
We are requesting your support for appropriations in the
President's recommended budget for FY 2022 to the Bureau of
Reclamation, Upper Colorado Region for the Upper Colorado River
Endangered Fish Recovery Program and the San Juan River Basin Recovery
Implementation Program. The budget items and amounts requested in the
President's budget for these programs are described below.
Endangered Species Programs: The Endangered Species Program also
provides $5.7 million for the Upper Colorado and San Juan River
Endangered Fish Recovery programs for construction of facilities need
to recover endangered fish species: $2,500,000 for construction of a
fish barrier at the Farmers Mutual Ditch diversion structure on the San
Juan River in northwest New Mexico, $500,000 for floodplain habitat
development in northwest New Mexico on the San Juan River, $2,550,000
for rehabilitation of the fish screen and passage at the Grand Valley
Irrigation Company diversion on the Colorado River near Grand Junction
Colorado, and $150,000 for Upper Colorado Program Management for
contracting, budgeting, reporting, contract administration, tracking
expenditures, and addressing issues and concerns associated with
capital project construction.
Colorado River Compliance Activities: The President's budget
requests $21,400,000 for Colorado River Compliance Activities that
includes:
--$8,640,000 for the Upper Colorado and San Juan Endangered Fish
Recovery Programs to restore critical habitat, enhance stream
flows, maintain fish ladders and screens, augment and
conservation of genetic integrity through hatcheries and
stocking efforts, manage non-native and sport fish, and
research and monitoring to provide the scientific basis to
guide decision making.
--$11,360,000 for the Glen Canyon Adaptive Management Program for
scientific investigations, experimentation using Glen Canyon
Dam releases and other tasks required to increase understanding
of how to operate Glen Canyon Dam to meet statutory
requirements, and experimental flow research.
--$1,400,000 for water quality and consumptive use studies to provide
data required to meet legal agreements that regulate the flow
and quality of the river and support consumptive use studies of
water for municipal, industrial, agricultural uses.
This funding for the recovery programs is authorized by P.L. 106-
392, as amended.
These highly successful, cooperative programs are ongoing
partnerships among the states of New Mexico, Colorado, Utah and
Wyoming, Indian tribes, federal agencies and water, power and
environmental interests. The programs' objectives are to recover
endangered fish species while water use and development proceeds in
compliance with the Endangered Species Act. The programs provide ESA
compliance for approximately 2,500 water projects in the Upper Colorado
River Basin, including every Reclamation project upstream of Lake
Powell.
I appreciate the Subcommittee's past support and request the
Subcommittee's assistance for fiscal year 2022 funding to ensure the
Bureau of Reclamation's continuing financial participation in and
provision of federal cost sharing for these vitally important programs.
Sincerely.
[This statement was submitted by Aaron Chavez, Executive Director,
San Juan Water Commission.]
______
Prepared Statement of the Society for Industrial and Applied
Mathematics
This written testimony is submitted on behalf of the Society for
Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM) to ask you to continue your
support of the Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science with
funding of $7.7 billion in fiscal year (FY) 2022. In particular, we
urge you to provide at least $292 million for Mathematical,
Computational, and Computer Sciences Research in the Office of Advanced
Scientific Computing Research (ASCR) within the Office of Science. We
also emphasize the importance of support for graduate students through
the Computational Sciences Graduate Fellowship and request that $20
million be provided in FY 2022.
On behalf of SIAM, we submit this written testimony for the record
to the Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development Appropriations of
the United States Senate.
SIAM has approximately 14,000 members, including applied and
computational mathematicians, computer scientists, numerical analysts,
engineers, statisticians, and mathematics educators. They work in
industrial and service organizations, universities, colleges, and
government agencies and laboratories all over the world. In addition,
SIAM has over 500 institutional members-colleges, universities,
corporations, and research organizations. SIAM members come from many
different disciplines but have a common interest in applying
mathematics in partnership with computational science towards solving
real-world problems.
SIAM appreciates your Committee's leadership on and recognition of
the critical role of the Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science
and its support for mathematics, science, and engineering in enabling a
strong U.S. economy, workforce, and society. DOE was one of the first
federal agencies to champion computational science as one of the three
pillars of science, along with theory and experiment, and SIAM deeply
appreciates and values DOE activities.
SIAM is grateful for the strong funding that the Office of Science
received in FY 2021 and encouraged by the proposed increases in the
President's FY 2022 budget request. We join with the research community
to request that you continue this momentum by providing the Office of
Science with $7.7 billion for FY 2022. The requested amount is
necessary for ensuring continued support for areas such as mathematics
and scientific research to help address national priorities, foster
economic growth, and create jobs.
advanced scientific computing research
Activities within the Office of Advanced Scientific Computing
Research (ASCR) play a key role in supporting research that begins to
fulfill the needs described above. Within the overall amount for ASCR,
we urge you to provide at least $292 million for Mathematical,
Computational, and Computer Sciences Research in FY 2022. SIAM applauds
the proposed increases in the President's budget request as this level
of funding is needed to ensure the long-term health and viability of
the high-performance computing (HPC) ecosystem that DOE relies on for
conducting groundbreaking discovery science while supporting increased
investment in priority areas such as quantum computing and artificial
intelligence.
Core research activities within ASCR enable the development of
critical tools for computational science, modeling, and data analysis
that enhance advanced computing capabilities and seed new areas of
research with potential for revolutionary advancements. Sustained
investment in basic research ultimately enabled the global leadership
in HPC that the U.S. currently enjoys. While our strength in HPC is
exemplified by the groundbreaking exascale systems currently being
assembled, this position is increasingly being challenged by overseas
competitors.
We strongly support ASCR's reorientation toward longer term
research as the Exascale Computing Initiative comes to fruition and
funding for the associated Exascale Computing Project continues its
planned decline. This shift is underpinned by strategic visioning
exercises that have produced several recommendations for reinvigorating
ASCR's research agenda. These include a substantial reinvestment in
foundational science and increased support for high-risk/high-reward
research activities, especially at universities.\1\ Such an approach
will help maintain the long-term viability and vibrancy of the broader
HPC research community as ASCR looks toward the post-exascale future.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Advanced Scientific Computing Advisory Committee (ASCAC),
Subcommittee on Exascale Transition, ``Transition Report'', https://
science.osti.gov/-/media/ascr/ascac/pdf/meetings/202004/
Transition_Report_202004-
ASCAC.pdf?la=en&hash=5164916FE5158EE8919C26804B4CF7F6
DDA36E9D.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
In addition to the critical role that it already plays in priority
areas like artificial intelligence and quantum information science,
ASCR's research portfolio will be a critical asset to the Department's
efforts to drive innovation in climate and Earth systems predictability
and renewable energy. Specifically, research in applied mathematics and
computational science will enable new capabilities in environmental
sensing and edge computing with applications in Earth systems
prediction and climate forecasting. In addition, advancements in
modeling, simulation, and optimization can help improve grid
reliability and the integration of renewable energy sources into the
broader power distribution system.
supporting the pipeline of mathematicians and scientists
SIAM is grateful for the strong support of the Computational
Sciences Graduate Fellowships (CSGF) and requests that $20 million be
provided for the Computational Science Graduate Fellowship (CSGF) in FY
2022 within the overall amount for research. Researchers trained in
computational science and working in universities, national
laboratories, and industry are essential to propel advances in many DOE
critical research areas. This program helps ensure the existence of an
adequate supply of scientists and engineers with strong computational
research experience and close ongoing ties to DOE to meet future
national workforce needs.
CSGF has been flat-funded at $10 million since FY 2015, even as
computational techniques continue to permeate every area of science and
increasingly contribute to the advancement of DOE mission priorities.
SIAM is pleased to see support for CSGF within the President's FY 2022
budget request to increase the number of fellows in AI and Quantum and
participation of individuals from under-represented groups. The
increase we are requesting to CSGF reflects the growing need for an
expanded workforce in emerging areas of importance to DOE such as
artificial intelligence and data science. As international competition
in science and engineering intensifies, maintaining U.S. leadership in
these areas will increasingly depend on our ability to cultivate a
scientific workforce with strong research experience and close ties to
DOE. An increase in funding to CSGF would also enable ASCR to address a
consistent oversubscription in the program and advance diversity,
equity, and inclusion through expanded outreach to minority serving
institutions.
the role of mathematics in meeting health, energy, and security
challenges
Support for applied mathematics and computational science is
critical to sustaining the nation's global scientific and technological
leadership, energy production capabilities, and national security. By
exploiting DOE's world class supercomputing capabilities,
mathematicians and computational scientists supported by the
abovementioned programs pioneer new modeling and simulation techniques
that enable substantial breakthroughs in materials synthesis, energy
distribution, and human physiology among other complex areas where
laboratory experiments or field observations are too costly, time
consuming, or simply insufficient. This was demonstrated recently in
the midst of the novel coronavirus pandemic. Researchers at Oak Ridge
National Laboratory (ORNL) developed a computational model of the novel
coronavirus. They then ran the model on ORNL's supercomputer, Summit,
and were able to identify 77 molecular compounds that could serve as
the basis for therapeutic drugs to counter COVID-19.\2\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ https://chemrxiv.org/articles/
Repurposing_Therapeutics_for_the_Wuhan_
Coronavirus_nCov-2019_Supercomputer-Based_Docking_to_the_Viral_S--
Protein_and_
Human_ACE2_Interface/11871402/3.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
conclusion
The programs in the Office of Science, particularly those discussed
above, are important elements of DOE's efforts to fulfill its mission.
They contribute to the goals of dramatically transforming our current
capabilities to develop new sources of energy and improve energy
efficiency to ensure energy independence and facilitate DOE's effort to
increase U.S. competitiveness by training and attracting the best
scientific talent into DOE headquarters and laboratories, the American
research enterprise, and the clean energy economy.
Thank you again for your ongoing support of the DOE Office of
Science. The DOE Office of Science needs sustained annual funding to
maintain our competitive edge in science and technology, and therefore
we respectfully ask that you continue your support of these critical
programs. We appreciate the opportunity to provide testimony to the
Committee on behalf of SIAM and look forward to providing any
additional information or assistance you may ask of us during the FY
2022 appropriations process.
[This statement was submitted by Dr. Susanne C. Brenner, President;
Dr. Anne Gelb, Vice President for Science Policy; and Dr. Suzanne L.
Weekes, Executive
Director, Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics.]
______
Prepared Statement of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe
Chairman Feinstein, Ranking Member Kennedy, and Subcommittee
members:
The Southern Ute Indian Tribe requests your support for
appropriations in the President's budget request for FY 2022 to the
Bureau of Reclamation--Upper Colorado Region for the San Juan River
Basin Recovery Implementation Program and the Upper Colorado River
Endangered Fish Recovery Program (``Recovery Programs'').
The importance of the Recovery Programs cannot be overstated.
Westerners' water supply relies on water projects that store, channel,
and pump water where it is needed. These Recovery Programs were
established to recover endangered fish species while simultaneously
allowing water use and development to proceed in compliance with the
Endangered Species Act. The Recovery Programs provide Endangered
Species Act compliance for approximately 2,500 water projects in the
Upper Colorado River Basin, including every Reclamation project
upstream of Lake Powell. That includes projects such as the Animas La
Plata Project in southwest Colorado, where tribes are partners with
Reclamation. The San Juan Program in particular was critical to the
settlement of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe's water rights and is
fundamental to future tribal water development.
The budget items and amounts requested in the President's budget
for these programs are described below.
Colorado River Compliance Activities: The President's budget
requests $21,400,000 for Colorado River Compliance Activities that
include:
--$8,640,000 for the Upper Colorado and San Juan Endangered Fish
Recovery Programs to restore critical habitat, enhance stream
flows, maintain fish ladders and screens, augment and conserve
genetic integrity through hatcheries and stocking efforts,
manage non-native and sport fish, and research and monitoring
to provide the scientific basis to guide decision making.
--$11,360,000 for the Glen Canyon Adaptive Management Program for
scientific investigations, experimentation using Glen Canyon
Dam releases and other tasks required to increase understanding
of how to operate Glen Canyon Dam to meet statutory
requirements, and experimental flow research.
--$1,400,000 for water quality and consumptive use studies to provide
data required to meet legal agreements that regulate the flow
and quality of the river and support consumptive use studies of
water for municipal, industrial, agricultural uses.
This funding for the recovery programs is authorized by P.L. 106-
392, as amended.
Endangered Species Programs: The Endangered Species Program
provides $5.7 million for the Upper Colorado and San Juan River
Endangered Fish Recovery programs for construction of facilities needed
to recover endangered fish species. This includes $2,500,000 for
construction of a fish barrier at the Farmer's Mutual Ditch diversion
structure on the San Juan River in northwest New Mexico, $500,000 for
floodplain habitat development in northwest New Mexico on the San Juan
River, $2,550,000 for rehabilitation of the fish screen and passage at
the Grand Valley Irrigation Company diversion on the Colorado River
near Grand Junction Colorado, and $150,000 for Upper Colorado Program
Management for contracting, budgeting, reporting, contract
administration, tracking expenditures, and addressing issues and
concerns associated with capital project construction.
These programs have been highly successful in achieving their
purpose. For example, two of the fish species that the programs were
designed to recover--the Razorback Sucker and the Humpback Chub--are in
the process of being downlisted from ``endangered'' to ``threatened.''
The programs are a success not just on the biological front. They are
also a positive example of the value of cooperation. The partners in
these programs include four federally recognized Indian tribes (the
Southern Ute Indian Tribe, Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, Jicarilla Apache
Nation, and Navajo Nation); four states (New Mexico, Colorado, Utah,
and Wyoming), multiple federal agencies, including the Fish and
Wildlife Service and the Bureau of Indian Affairs; water and power
interests; and environmental groups. The partners have pooled
resources--including funding, in-kind donations, and staff--to ensure
the success of these Programs.
The Southern Ute Indian Tribe appreciates the Subcommittee's past
support and requests the Subcommittee's assistance for fiscal year 2022
funding to ensure the Bureau of Reclamation's continuing financial
participation in and provision of federal cost sharing for these
vitally important programs.
Sincerely.
[This statement was submitted by Melvin J. Baker, Chairman,
Southern Ute
Indian Tribe.]
______
Prepared Statement of the Southwestern Water Conservation District
The Southwestern Water Conservation District (SWCD) appreciates the
opportunity to submit this letter of support for appropriations in the
President's recommended budget for FY 2022 to the Bureau of
Reclamation, Upper Colorado Region for the Upper Colorado River
Endangered Fish Recovery Program and the San Juan River Basin Recovery
Implementation Program. SWCD is a political subdivision of the State
that was established by the Colorado General Assembly in 1941 to
protect, conserve, use and develop the water resources of the San Juan
and Dolores River Basins as well as to safeguard all waters to which
the state of Colorado is equitably entitled.
We are requesting your support for appropriations in the
President's budget for these programs described below.
Endangered Species Programs: The Endangered Species Program also
provides $5.7 million for the Upper Colorado and San Juan River
Endangered Fish Recovery programs for construction of facilities need
to recover endangered fish species: $2,500,000 for construction of a
fish barrier at the Farmer's Mutual Ditch diversion structure on the
San Juan River in northwest New Mexico, $500,000 for floodplain habitat
development in northwest New Mexico on the San Juan River, $2,550,000
for rehabilitation of the fish screen and passage at the Grand Valley
Irrigation Company diversion on the Colorado River near Grand Junction
Colorado, and $150,000 for Upper Colorado Program Management for
contracting, budgeting, reporting, contract administration, tracking
expenditures, and addressing issues and concerns associated with
capital project construction.
Colorado River Compliance Activities: The President's budget
requests $21,400,000 for Colorado River Compliance Activities that
includes $8,640,000 for the Upper Colorado and San Juan Endangered Fish
Recovery Programs to restore critical habitat, enhance stream flows,
maintain fish ladders and screens, augment and conservation of genetic
integrity through hatcheries and stocking efforts, manage non-native
and sport fish, and research and monitoring to provide the scientific
basis to guide decision making. This funding for the recovery programs
is authorized by P.L. 106-392, as amended.
These highly successful, cooperative programs are ongoing
partnerships among the states of New Mexico, Colorado, Utah and
Wyoming, Indian tribes, federal agencies and water, power and
environmental interests. The programs' objectives are to recover
endangered fish species while water use and development proceeds in
compliance with the Endangered Species Act. The programs provide ESA
compliance for approximately 2,500 water projects in the Upper Colorado
River Basin, including every Reclamation project upstream of Lake
Powell. Because these objectives align with our statutory mandate, SWCD
has been a steadfast supporter of the Upper Colorado and San Juan
Recovery Programs since their inception in 1988 and 1992, respectively.
I appreciate the Subcommittee's past support and request the
Subcommittee's assistance for fiscal year 2022 funding to ensure the
Bureau of Reclamation's continuing financial participation in and
provision of federal cost sharing for these vitally important programs.
Sincerely.
[This statement was submitted by Steve Wolff, General Manager,
Southwestern Water Conservation District.]
______
Prepared Statement of the Tri-County Water Conservancy District
The Tri-County Water Conservancy District is requesting your
support for appropriations in the President's recommended budget for FY
2022 to the Bureau of Reclamation, Upper Colorado Region for the Upper
Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program and the San Juan River
Basin Recovery Implementation Program. The budget items and amounts
requested in the President's budget for these programs are described
below.
Endangered Species Programs: The Endangered Species Program also
provides $5.7 million for the Upper Colorado and San Juan River
Endangered Fish Recovery programs for construction of facilities need
to recover endangered fish species: $2,500,000 for construction of a
fish barrier at the Farmer's Mutual Ditch diversion structure on the
San Juan River in northwest New Mexico, $500,000 for floodplain habitat
development in northwest New Mexico on the San Juan River, $2,550,000
for rehabilitation of the fish screen and passage at the Grand Valley
Irrigation Company diversion on the Colorado River near Grand Junction
Colorado, and $150,000 for Upper Colorado Program Management for
contracting, budgeting, reporting, contract administration, tracking
expenditures, and addressing issues and concerns associated with
capital project construction.
Colorado River Compliance Activities: The President's budget
requests $21,400,000 for Colorado River Compliance Activities that
includes
--$8,640,000 for the Upper Colorado and San Juan Endangered Fish
Recovery Programs to restore critical habitat, enhance stream
flows, maintain fish ladders and screens, augment and
conservation of genetic integrity through hatcheries and
stocking efforts, manage non-native and sport fish, and
research and monitoring to provide the scientific basis to
guide decision making.
--$11,360,000 for the Glen Canyon Adaptive Management Program for
scientific investigations, experimentation using Glen Canyon
Dam releases and other tasks required to increase understanding
of how to operate Glen Canyon Dam to meet statutory
requirements, and experimental flow research.
--$1,400,000 for water quality and consumptive use studies to provide
data required to meet legal agreements that regulate the flow
and quality of the river and support consumptive use studies of
water for municipal, industrial, agricultural uses.
This funding for the recovery programs is authorized by P.L. 106-
392, as amended.
These highly successful, cooperative programs are ongoing
partnerships among the states of New Mexico, Colorado, Utah and
Wyoming, Indian tribes, federal agencies and water, power and
environmental interests. The programs' objectives are to recover
endangered fish species while water use and development proceeds in
compliance with the Endangered Species Act. The programs provide ESA
compliance for approximately 2,500 water projects in the Upper Colorado
River Basin, including every Reclamation project upstream of Lake
Powell.
We appreciate the Subcommittee's past support and request the
Subcommittee's assistance for fiscal year 2022 funding to ensure the
Bureau of Reclamation's continuing financial participation in and
provision of federal cost sharing for these vitally important programs.
Sincerely.
[This statement was submitted by Mike Berry, General Manager, Tri-
County Water Conservancy District.]
______
Prepared Statement of the Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish
Recovery Program and the San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation
Program
I am requesting your support for appropriations in the President's
recommended budget for FY 2022 to the Bureau of Reclamation, Upper
Colorado Region for the Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery
Program and the San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program.
The budget items and amounts requested in the President's budget for
these programs are described below.
These highly successful, cooperative programs are ongoing
partnerships among the states of New Mexico, Colorado, Utah and
Wyoming, Indian tribes, federal agencies and water, power and
environmental interests. The programs' objectives are to recover
endangered fish species while water use and development proceeds in
compliance with the Endangered Species Act. The programs provide ESA
compliance for approximately 2,500 water projects in the Upper Colorado
River Basin, including every Reclamation project upstream of Lake
Powell.
Endangered Species Programs: The Endangered Species Program also
provides $5.7 million for the Upper Colorado and San Juan River
Endangered Fish Recovery programs for construction of facilities need
to recover endangered fish species: $2,500,000 for construction of a
fish barrier at the Farmer's Mutual Ditch diversion structure on the
San Juan River in northwest New Mexico, $500,000 for floodplain habitat
development in northwest New Mexico on the San Juan River, $2,550,000
for rehabilitation of the fish screen and passage at the Grand Valley
Irrigation Company diversion on the Colorado River near Grand Junction
Colorado, and $150,000 for Upper Colorado Program Management for
contracting, budgeting, reporting, contract administration, tracking
expenditures, and addressing issues and concerns associated with
capital project construction.
Colorado River Compliance Activities: The President's budget
requests $21,400,000 for Colorado River Compliance Activities that
includes:
--$8,640,000 for the Upper Colorado and San Juan Endangered Fish
Recovery Programs to restore critical habitat, enhance stream
flows, maintain fish ladders and screens, augment and
conservation of genetic integrity through hatcheries and
stocking efforts, manage non-native and sport fish, and
research and monitoring to provide the scientific basis to
guide decision making.
--$11,360,000 for the Glen Canyon Adaptive Management Program for
scientific investigations, experimentation using Glen Canyon
Dam releases and other tasks required to increase understanding
of how to operate Glen Canyon Dam to meet statutory
requirements, and experimental flow research.
--$1,400,000 for water quality and consumptive use studies to provide
data required to meet legal agreements that regulate the flow
and quality of the river and support consumptive use studies of
water for municipal, industrial, agricultural uses.
This funding for the recovery programs is authorized by P.L. 106-
392, as amended.
I appreciate the Subcommittee's past support and request the
Subcommittee's assistance for fiscal year 2022 funding to ensure the
Bureau of Reclamation's continuing financial participation in and
provision of federal cost sharing for these vitally important programs.
Sincerely.
[This statement was submitted by Mike King, Chief External Affairs
Officer.]
______
Prepared Statement of the WateReuse Association
Thank you for providing the opportunity to submit written testimony
on Fiscal Year 2022 appropriations. I write today on behalf of the
WateReuse Association and its members to highlight the importance of
the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation's (USBR) Title XVI-WIIN Water
Reclamation and Reuse Competitive Grants Program. The Title XVI-WIIN
program has helped communities across the West build drought
resilience, keep nutrients and other pollutants out of sensitive
waterways, save billions of dollars relative to importing water, and
grow sustainable economies. It is a key economic and climate resiliency
tool, but is hamstrung by insufficient funding.
Given the critical role that water recycling plays in water
resources management and the overwhelming demand for projects as
authorized in section 4009(c) of Public Law 114-322, we urge you to
include at least $100 million for this program in Energy and Water
Development appropriations legislation for FY 2022.
The WateReuse Association is a not-for-profit trade association for
water utilities, businesses, industrial and commercial enterprises,
non-profit organizations, and research entities that engage in and on
water recycling. WateReuse and its state and regional sections
represent more than 200 water utilities serving over 60 million
customers, and over 300 businesses and organizations across the
country. Our mission is to engage our members in a movement for safe
and sustainable water supplies, to promote acceptance and support of
recycled water, and to advocate for policies and funding that increase
water reuse.
The USBR's Title XVI program is the only federal program with water
reuse as its sole focus. Since Title XVI's inception in 1992, Congress
has authorized 53 Title XVI recycling projects producing more than
400,000 acre-feet of drought-resistant water supply. To date, Congress
has appropriated over $700 million in federal funding, which has been
leveraged with non-federal funding to implement more than $3.3 billion
in water reuse improvements--a nearly 5:1 leverage ratio.
In 2016, the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation
(WIIN) Act established a mechanism, colloquially known as Title XVI-
WIIN, to enable new projects to apply for competitive grants within
Title XVI. Due to the popularity of Title XVI-WIIN in its first few
years, the program now has a large and growing backlog exceeding $700
million in federal cost share for eligible projects, and demand is
expected to grow as more projects become eligible.
Water projects funded through the Title XVI program have been used
to increase the supply of fresh drinking water, generate sustainable
irrigation water for landscaping and agricultural use, restore
sensitive ecosystems, and help industries expand and create jobs, among
other purposes. The program is not limited to the reuse of municipal
wastewater--it also helps communities identify beneficial uses for
industrial, agricultural, and domestic wastewater, as well as impaired
ground and surface water. Investments through the Title XVI competitive
grants program have helped both urban and rural communities across the
West build a strong and secure economic future.
A recent GAO report (GAO-19-110) highlighted a number of
illustrative Title XVI projects. For example, program investments
helped one drought-stricken water district in California develop
infrastructure to use more than 2 billion gallons of recycled water to
irrigate sports fields, golf courses, parks, school grounds, and
medians. Another project is providing drought-resistant recycled water
to farmers to irrigate 45,000 acres of farmland, reducing demand on the
area's over-drafted groundwater basin. Other Title XVI projects have
been used to prevent saltwater intrusion into aquifers, restore
marshes, wetlands, and other habitat, and create potable drinking
water.
In addition to increasing funding for the Title XVI-WIIN program,
we ask for your support in securing robust funding for USBR's
Desalination and Water Purification Program in FY 2022. The
Desalination Program invests in projects in Reclamation states that
involve ocean or brackish water desalination. In the arid West,
desalination is an important tool that can help communities increase
their water supply.
Thank you for considering our requests and please do not hesitate
to reach out if you have any questions.
Sincerely.
[This statement was submitted by Greg Fogel, Policy Director,
WateReuse
Association.]
______
Prepared Statement of the Western Governors' Association
Chair Feinstein, Ranking Member Kennedy, and Members of the
Subcommittee, the Western Governors' Association (WGA) appreciates the
opportunity to provide written testimony on the appropriations and
activities of the federal agencies under the Subcommittee's
jurisdiction, including the Department of Energy (DOE), Bureau of
Reclamation (BOR), and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps). WGA is an
independent organization representing the Governors of the 22
westernmost states and territories. The Association is an instrument of
the Governors for bipartisan policy development, information-sharing
and collective action on issues of critical importance to the western
United States.
The agencies within the Subcommittee's jurisdiction wield
significant influence over the American West and the development of
energy and water resources in the region. Western Governors recognize
the importance of a close and productive working relationship between
states and the federal government and understand that more effective
intergovernmental cooperation depends on federal recognition of states
as co-sovereigns and partners. The promotion of a greater partnership
between states and the federal government is central to the mission of
WGA and is reflected in WGA Policy Resolution 2021-01, Strengthening
the State-Federal Relationship.
States possess the primary legal authority for the allocation,
management, protection and development of water resources within their
borders. Congress and the federal judiciary have consistently and
expressly recognized, and deferred to, this state authority. Federal
policy must respect and preserve state authority to manage water, as
well as recognize state law and the financial, environmental and social
values of water resources to citizens of the western states.
The following recommendations are intended to ensure that taxpayers
realize a meaningful return on the investment of limited discretionary
resources. This goal will be more readily achieved to the extent that
federal agencies effectively leverage state authority, resources and
expertise.
State Authority Over Groundwater: States have exclusive authority
over groundwater within their borders and are primarily responsible for
protecting, managing, and otherwise controlling the resource. WGA
encourages the Subcommittee to prohibit the use of appropriated funds
for any activity that would, or has the potential to, usurp state
authority over groundwater resources. Federal agencies must work with
the states to address any groundwater-related needs and concerns. The
federal government has long recognized the right to use water as
determined under the laws of the various states; Western Governors
value their partnerships with federal agencies as they operate under
this established legal framework.
Water Data: Western states need reliable information on the status,
trends and projections of water availability. Accordingly, Western
Governors support funding for improved predictive and adaptive
capabilities for extreme weather variability and related effects,
including improvements to sub-seasonal and seasonal precipitation and
water supply forecasting. Forecasting improvements will better support
water management decision-making and emergency preparedness. Data
collection, monitoring and communications is most effective when
coordinated across federal agencies and with state agencies.
Water Infrastructure: The need for new water projects, as well as
for improvements to aging water, wastewater and hydropower facilities,
is becoming increasingly urgent. Infrastructure investments are
essential to our nation's continued economic prosperity, electric
generation capacity and environmental protection, and they assist
states in meeting federally mandated environmental standards. The
Subcommittee should continue to fully use receipts accruing to the
Reclamation Fund for their intended purpose: the conservation,
development and use of resources to meet western water-related needs.
Western Governors support the construction of congressionally
authorized BOR rural water projects and facilities that are part of
congressionally authorized Indian water rights settlements.
The Subcommittee can promote greater investment in water
infrastructure by using such tools as loan guarantees, revolving funds,
infrastructure banks, water trust funds, and the Water Infrastructure
Finance Innovation Act (WIFIA) program. Western Governors urge that
capital budgeting and asset management principles be used to determine
funding priorities based on long-term sustainability and not annual
incremental spending choices. Federal investments in infrastruture need
to be supported by dedicated sources of funding and guided by
appropriate financing, cost-sharing, pricing and cost recovery
policies.
Aquatic Invasive Species: The spread of invasive quagga and zebra
mussels continues to be a major threat to western water resources. The
containment of these invaders at infested waters in the West depends
upon the collaboration and cooperation of federal, state and local
agencies. Many state-led containment programs benefit from federal
cooperation and funding. Western Governors request that the
Subcommittee provide BOR with the necessary funding to collaborate with
western states to contain the spread of aquatic invasive species in
western waters.
Waste Isolation Pilot Project: Continued funding for DOE's Waste
Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) Transportation Safety Program is essential
to the expeditious cleanup and disposal of transuranic (TRU) waste from
U.S. nuclear weapons complex facilities in western states, including
Idaho National Laboratory, Los Alamos National Laboratory in New
Mexico, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California, and the
Hanford Site in Washington. DOE must continue to provide sufficient and
timely in-kind, financial, technical and other appropriate assistance
to states and tribes through whose jurisdiction TRU waste will be
transported. This assistance is integral to planning, developing and
implementing the WIPP Transportation Safety Program. The safe and
uneventful transportation of TRU waste is a priority of Western
Governors, and WGA encourages the Subcommittee to provide adequate
funding to ensure that the important work of the WIPP Transportation
Safety Program continues.
Energy: Western Governors support federal programs designed to:
reduce reliance on oil imports by increasing North American production
and improving fuel efficiency; develop renewable and alternative fuels;
and increase innovation and application of energy storage. Congress
should also: ensure adequate funding and resources for state emergency
planning, response, and recovery; maintain funding for the State Energy
Program (SEP), Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), Weatherization
Assistance Program (WAP), and Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program
(LIHEAP); and provide appropriations for effective cybersecurity
infrastructure, education, and workforce development programs. Congress
should also refrain from advancing the interim storage of commercial
nuclear waste through the appropriations process without requiring the
consent of affected Governors. The Subcommittee can also help ensure
that DOE and other agencies create opportunities for ongoing,
substantive, and meaningful state consultation in the West-wide energy
corridor process.
Western Governors and federal agencies deal with a complex web of
interrelated energy and water resource issues. It is an enormous
challenge to judiciously balance competing needs in this environment,
and Western Governors appreciate the difficulty of the decisions this
Subcommittee must make. The foregoing recommendations are offered in a
spirit of cooperation and respect, and WGA is prepared to assist you as
the Subcommittee discharges its critical and challenging
responsibilities.
[This statement was submitted by James D. Ogsbury, Executive
Director, Western Governors' Association.]
______
Prepared Statement of the Western Resource Advocates
Dear Chairman Feinstein and Senator Kennedy:
We request your support for appropriations in the President's
recommended budget for FY 2022 to the Bureau of Reclamation, Upper
Colorado Region, to fund the Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish
Recovery Program and the San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation
Program. The programs' goals are to recovery four species of endangered
fish and provide ESA compliance for approximately 2,500 water projects
in the Upper Colorado River Basin.
These highly successful, cooperative programs are ongoing
partnerships among the states of New Mexico, Colorado, Utah and
Wyoming, Indian tribes, federal agencies and water, hydropower and
environmental interests. The conservation group Western Resource
Advocates (WRA) has been a partner in the program for nearly twenty
years.
WRA requests full funding for these programs, including $5.7
million in the FY22 budget request for capital construction activities
through the Upper Colorado Region's Endangered Species Recovery
Implementation Program. WRA also appreciates the Subcommittee's efforts
since FY19 to fund environmental programs for the Colorado River at
$21.4 million, a portion of which supports the Upper Colorado River
Endangered Fish Recovery Program and San Juan River Basin Recovery
Implementation Program. WRA requests continued funding for these
activities, at that level or above, in FY22. This funding for the
recovery programs is authorized by P.L. 106-392, as amended.
Sincerely.
[This statement was submitted by Bart Miller, Healthy Rivers
Program Director, Western Resource Advocates.]
______
Prepared Statement of the Western States Water Council
Chair Feinstein, Ranking Member Kennedy, and Members of the
Subcommittee, on behalf of the Western States Water Council (WSWC) we
welcome the opportunity to provide written testimony on federal agency
activities and appropriations under the Subcommittee's jurisdiction.
The WSWC is a government entity; an instrumentality of each and every
participating state advising western governors of water policies and
programs. Members are appointed and serve at the pleasure of their
respective governors. The WSWC appreciates the opportunity to provide
written testimony on activities and appropriations for the U.S. Bureau
of Reclamation (USBR).
reclamation fund
Recognizing the critical importance of water in the development of
the West, the Congress passed the Reclamation Act on June 17, 1902 and
provided monies ``reserved, set aside, and appropriated as a special
fund in the Treasury to be known as the 'reclamation fund,' to be used
in the examination and survey for and the construction and maintenance
of irrigation works for the storage, diversion, and development of
water for the reclamation of arid and semiarid land...'' in seventeen
western states, to be continually invested and reinvested.
The Council requests that the Subcommittee recommend fully
appropriating the receipts and collections accruing to the Reclamation
Fund, pursuant to the Reclamation Act and other acts, for their
intended purpose in the continuing conservation, development and wise
use of western resources to meet western water-related needs. ``Needs''
may include Reclamation project dam safety costs, financing
extraordinary maintenance and rehabilitation of aging infrastructure
(including transferred works), funding authorized rural water supply
projects, and the construction of Reclamation facilities incorporated
as part of a Congressionally approved Indian water right settlements.
We also support an investigation of converting the Reclamation Fund to
a true revolving trust fund.
The Reclamation Fund was envisioned as the principal means to
finance federal western water and power projects with revenues from
western resources. Its receipts are derived from water and power sales,
project repayments, certain receipts from public land sales, leases and
rentals in the seventeen western states, as well as certain oil and
mineral related royalties--but these receipts are only available for
expenditure pursuant to annual appropriation acts. With receipts
outpacing expenditures for authorized Reclamation purposes, the
unobligated figure gets larger and larger, while the money is spent
elsewhere for other federal purposes, contrary to the Congress'
original intent. The actual unobligated balance at the start of FY2020
was $17.668 billion, and was estimated to have been $17.689 billion at
the beginning of FY2021 and $17.794 billion at the beginning of FY2022.
rural water supply projects
The Council strongly supports funding to expedite construction of
long-authorized Reclamation rural water supply projects in a timely
manner, including projects that meet tribal trust and other federal
responsibilities, while recognizing and continuing to defer to the
primacy of western water laws and tribal settlements in allocating
water among users. There are six authorized and active rural water
projects located in Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, and South
Dakota, of which five have yet to be completed at an estimated federal
cost of around $898 million. Construction costs continue to increase
due to delays, inflation and the rising costs of materials and labor.
At current levels of funding, completion of some projects could be
delayed by decades. There is a Federal responsibility to complete
authorized rural water projects, particularly those intended to fulfill
in part a solemn Federal promise and trust responsibility to compensate
States and Tribes for lost resources as a result of the construction of
federal flood control projects and other actions.
project maintenance, repair, and rehabilitation
The average age of Bureau of Reclamation dams is 70 years, with
most requiring maintenance, repair, and rehabilitation (MR&R) estimated
at $2.9 billion. We support federal investments and collaborative
efforts in water-related infrastructure projects and programs that
deliver adequate supplies of suitable quality water, and provide jobs
and economic security, while protecting the environment. We also
support dedicated federal water infrastructure funding. Reclamation
operates hundreds of dams, reservoirs, and related infrastructure in
the West, supplying water and power to millions of people, irrigating
millions of acres for food and fiber, providing flood control and
recreation, and supporting wildlife and habitat. The importance of
these projects cannot be overstated.
Many of Reclamation's facilities are nearing, or have already
exceeded, their original design lives and are in need of MR&R, in order
to minimize risk to public safety and continue to serve their
authorized purposes. MR&R needs refer to both maintenance that has been
deferred and future projections or anticipated maintenance, repair and
rehabilitation work. Reclamation's existing funding, and the funding
from non-federal partners, which operates two-thirds of Reclamation's
infrastructure under contract, are not sufficient to address all MR&R
needs. We support stable and continuous funding streams for
maintenance, rehabilitation and repair of Reclamation dams and related
infrastructure, as well as updated evaluations of priority needs
dam safety
The Reclamation Safety of Dams Act of 1978 provides Reclamation
with authority to preserve and maintain the structural safety of dams
under its stewardship. The WSWC supports ongoing coordination of state
and federal efforts to strengthen dam safety programs. We support
actions that provide stable and continuous federal funding streams for
Reclamation dam safety work and related infrastructure.
forecast informed reservoir operations
The WSWC supports the use of innovative and forecast informed
reservoir operations by Reclamation and other public and private
entities at all levels. This would help to maximize the effective and
efficient use of our existing and future infrastructure to benefit our
myriad and growing economic uses of water, while at the same time
balancing and protecting our need for public health and safety, as well
as a resilient and healthy environment.
openet
In the West, the predominant consumptive use of water is
evapotranspiration (ET) from irrigation. The WSWC supports a $5M
request under Reclamation's WaterSMART program for development of an
Open Evapotranspiration (OpenET) software system and data platform
through an operational use partnership (https://openetdata.org/).
OpenET involves scientists from federal agencies and academic
institutions using satellite and weather data to map evapotranspiration
at the individual field scale. With these funds, Reclamation would be
able to partner with the OpenET consortium and with a broad network of
collaborators to refine, develop applications, and operationalize the
use of OpenET, providing credible, transparent, automated, and easily
accessible consumptive water use data across the West. No such system
exists today. There is a need for developing new monitoring
technologies that provide more timely data availability and more
refined spatial coverage.
Currently, access to satellite and ET data is limited and
expensive, keeping it out of the hands of many water users and
decision-makers. OpenET will allow water managers to assess how much
water is being used via a cost-effective and easy-to-use web-based
platform, filling a critical water data management gap.
agrimet
We also support $1million in funding for Reclamation's Agrimet
network of weather stations that provide data that serves as an
important and efficient ground-truthing, calibration, and model
validation tool for analysis of information products derived from
satellite platforms such as OpenET. Agrimet provides basic data on
precipitation, temperature, solar radiance, wind speed and humidity
required to calculate reference ET and inform remote-sensing platforms.
The Agrimet weather observing network suffers from the challenges of
aging instrumentation infrastructure, deferred maintenance, need for
technology upgrades, and funding that fails to keep up with these
needs, making it difficult to maintain data continuity and coverage for
users.
drought
As the Subcommittee members are aware, much of the West is again in
the grip of severe to exceptional drought. We support Reclamation's
Drought Response Program, authorized under the Water Sustain and Manage
America's Resources for Tomorrow (WaterSMART) program and the Science
and Engineering to Comprehensively Understand and Responsibly Enhance
(SECURE) Water Act, and urge the Subcommittee to provide funding for a
comprehensive and coordinated national drought preparedness and
response program on par with federal efforts to address other natural
disasters.
hydropower
We support reasonable hydropower projects and programs that enhance
our electric generation capacity and promote economic development
through streamlined permitting processes, while appropriately
protecting environmental resources, consistent with States' law and
certification authority under the Clean Water Act Section 401.
energy and water planning
Finally, we support integrating water and energy program and
project planning, including improved data on water and energy supply
and demand, that promotes conservation and use efficiency while seeking
to minimize economic, environmental, and other costs.
Thank you for the opportunity to provide written testimony.
LIST OF WITNESSES, COMMUNICATIONS, AND PREPARED STATEMENTS
----------
Page
Aclara Technologies, LLC, Prepared Statement of.................. 75
American:
Geophysical Union, Prepared Statement of the................. 78
Indian Higher Education Consortium, Prepared Statement of the 79
Society for Microbiology, Prepared Statement of the.......... 81
Society of Plant Biologists, Prepared Statement of the....... 83
Assiniboine and Sioux Rural Water Supply System and Dry Prairie
Rural Water System, Prepared Statement of the.................. 86
Aurora Water, Prepared Statements of
Building Performance Association, E4TheFuture, and the Building
Performance Institute, Prepared Statement of the............... 89
Business Council for Sustainable Energy, Prepared Statement of
the............................................................ 92
Carbon Utilization Research Council, Prepared Statement of the... 93
Central Arizona Water Conservation District, Prepared Statement
of the......................................................... 96
Clean Hydrogen Future Coalition, Prepared Statement of the....... 98
Collins, Senator Susan M., U.S. Senator From Maine, Questions
Submitted by................................................... 68
Colorado River Basin Salinity Control:
Forum, Prepared Statement of the............................. 100
Program, Prepared Statements of the
Colorado River Board of California, Prepared Statement of the.... 104
Colorado Springs Utilities, Prepared Statements of
Colorado Water Congress, Prepared Statement of the............... 107
Columbia:
Basin Development League, Prepared Statement of the.......... 108
River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, Prepared Statement of the 109
Dolores Water Conservancy District, Prepared Statement of........ 112
Edison Electric Institute, Prepared Statement of the............. 113
Electric Drive Transportation Association, Prepared Statement of
the............................................................ 116
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Prepared Statement of the 118
Federal Energy Management Program, Prepared Statement of the..... 121
Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology,
Prepared Statement of the...................................... 122
Feinstein, Senator Dianne, U.S. Senator From California, Opening
Statements of
Fuel Cell & Hydrogen Energy Association, Prepared Statement of
the............................................................ 123
Grand Valley Water Users Association, Prepared Statement of the.. 125
Granholm, Hon. Jennifer, Secretary, Office of the Secretary,
Department of Energy........................................... 35
Prepared Statement of........................................ 40
Questions Submitted to....................................... 67
Summary Statement of......................................... 38
Hagerty, Senator Bill, U.S. Senator From Tennessee, Statements of
Hannon Armstrong, Prepared Statement of.......................... 126
Hyde-Smith, Senator Cindy, U.S. Senator From Mississippi,
Statement of................................................... 37
Izaak Walton League of America, Prepared Statement of the........ 129
Kennedy, Senator John, U.S. Senator From Louisiana, Statements of
Leahy, Senator Patrick, U.S. Senator from Vermont, Questions
Submitted by................................................... 71
Methane Action and Remineralize the Earth, Prepared Statement of. 131
Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, Prepared
Statement of the............................................... 133
Mid-West Electric Consumers Association, Prepared Statement of
the............................................................ 135
Mni Wiconi Project, Prepared Statement of the.................... 136
National:
Association for State Community Services Programs, Prepared
Statement of the........................................... 139
Association of State Energy Officials, Prepared Statement of
the........................................................ 142
Hydropower Association, Prepared Statement of the............ 145
Marine Manufacturers Association, Prepared Statement of the.. 147
Water Resources Association, Prepared Statement of the....... 149
Nature Conservancy, Prepared Statement of The.................... 151
Nuclear Waste Strategy Coalition, Prepared Statement of the...... 154
Oregon Water Resources Congress, Prepared Statement of the....... 156
Palumbo, Mr. David, Deputy Commissioner of Operations, Bureau of
Reclamation, Department of the Interior........................ 14
Prepared Statement of........................................ 15
Pearl Certification, Prepared Statement of....................... 158
Pinkham, Mr. Jamie, Acting Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil
Works), Department of Defense--Civil........................... 1
Prepared Statement of........................................ 8
Summary Statement of......................................... 5
San Juan Water Commission, Prepared Statement of................. 159
Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics, Prepared
Statement of the............................................... 160
Southern Ute Indian Tribe, Prepared Statement of the............. 162
Southwestern Water Conservation District, Prepared Statement of
the............................................................ 163
Spellmon, Lieutenant General Scott A., Chief of Engineers and
Commanding General, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers............... 10
Prepared Statement of........................................ 11
Tester, Senator Jon, U.S. Senator From Montana, Statement of..... 5
Tri-County Water Conservancy District, Prepared Statement of the. 164
Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program and the San
Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program, Prepared
Statement of the............................................... 165
Verdon, Dr. Charles P., Acting Under Secretary of Energy for
Nuclear Security and Acting Administrator for the National
Nuclear Security Administration................................ 35
Questions Submitted to....................................... 74
WateReuse Association, Prepared Statement of the................. 166
Western:
Governors' Association, Prepared Statement of the............ 167
Western Resource Advocates, Prepared Statement of the........ 168
Western States Water Council, Prepared Statement of the...... 169
SUBJECT INDEX
----------
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE--CIVIL
Department of the Army
Corps of Engineers--Civil
Page
Construction Program............................................. 12
Emergency Management............................................. 12
Investigations Program........................................... 12
Operation and Maintenance (O&M) Program.......................... 12
Regulatory Program............................................... 12
Reimbursable Program............................................. 13
__________
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Office of the Secretary
Additional Committee Questions................................... 66
Advanced Manufacturing........................................... 69
American Jobs Plan, The.......................................... 41
Cybersecurity.................................................... 68
Energy Storage................................................... 68
Fiscal Year 2022 President's Budget Request...................... 42
Offshore Wind.................................................... 69
Renewable Fuel Standard//Small Refinery Exemptions............... 67
__________
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Reclamation
Account Level Details............................................ 18
California Bay-Delta Restoration Fund: $33,000,000............... 19
Central:
Utah Protection Completion Act (CUPCA)....................... 20
Valley Project Restoration Fund (CVPRF): $56,499,000......... 19
Policy and Administration: $64,400,000........................... 20
Water and Related Resources--$1,379,050,000...................... 18
[all]