[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 76 (Thursday, June 5, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1132]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           INTRODUCTION OF THE DOE RESEARCH CONSOLIDATION ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL F. DOYLE

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 5, 1997

  Mr. DOYLE. Mr. Speaker, as we move forward with the glidepath towards 
a balanced budget, it is essential that the Federal Government make 
every possible effort to decrease costs and increase efficiencies in 
its operations. This must be done in a way which does not harm the 
important functions of government.
  The Science Committee has certainly taken this view to heart, and has 
served as an example of responsible governance. Chairman Sensenbrenner 
should be congratulated for moving forward with authorization bills for 
all the programs in the jurisdiction of Science Committee. And Ranking 
Member George Brown has demonstrated through his investment budget that 
it is possible to fund programs that provide pivotal support for 
education and R&D while remaining true to the constraints of a balanced 
budget.
  Today, I am pleased to announce the introduction of another 
initiative in this spirit of responsible investment. Along with 
Chairman Calvert of the Energy and Environment Subcommittee, I am 
introducing the Department of Energy Research Consolidation Act. This 
bill will combine the administrative functions of the Office of Fossil 
Energy [FE] and the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy 
[EE].
  This consolidation will achieve budgetary savings while preserving 
the programmatic efforts of these offices. This merger can be achieved 
with little disruption to the core R&D initiatives of the two offices 
as they have similar missions which overlap in areas such as advanced 
materials, biomass, alternative fuels, high-temperature 
superconductivity, and hydrogen.
  More importantly, a unified organizational structure provides 
opportunities to eliminate duplicate work, improve program integration, 
and achieve savings in such crosscutting areas as program planning, 
policy analysis, external communications, and administrative services. 
For example, there is little need to preserve two autonomous press 
operations for the scope of work undertaken by FE and EE.
  A consolidated office would allow reductions in administrative staff 
in a manner which should not adversely impact our commitment to meeting 
our future energy needs. This legislation eliminates one assistant 
secretary position at DOE and would reduce by 25 percent administrative 
positions at DOE headquarters.
  When DOE was originally formed, the research conducted by FE and EE 
were all located under the jurisdiction of a single assistant secretary 
for energy technology. While at one time there may have been a reason 
for having two separate offices, that time has clearly passed. Not only 
have trends in energy R&D policy led towards this consolidation, 
political developments have also contributed to the need to unify the 
management of energy technology R&D.
  In the past, there has been a politically-motivated rivalry between 
congressional support of FE and EE, one that is based on labels rather 
than fact. This has been detrimental to both programs. This bill 
eliminates that rivalry, so we can make decisions about our priorities 
within this area without being saddled with counterproductive rhetoric.
  This legislation is another example of the recognition that we all 
have a responsibility to tighten our belts. Energy R&D is very 
important to my district, and there are agencies in which it would be a 
lot easier for me to seek cuts. But having been closely involved with 
the DOE R&D budget during my time on the Science Committee, I believe 
that this consolidation is both realistic and necessary.
  I recognize that downsizing is not an easy task. Last year, a DOE 
facility in my district combined with a similar facility in West 
Virginia. While the transition has required both commitment and 
sacrifice by all those involved, it was a necessary step given current 
budgetary constraints. The combined entity, the Federal Energy 
Technology Center, is the best example of what Secretary O'Leary had 
hoped to achieve with the Strategic Alignment Initiative.
  In conclusion, let me say how pleased I am with the cooperation and 
support I have received from Members of both parties and all across the 
political spectrum. Chairman Calvert has been indispensable in helping 
garner support for this initiative. He has run our subcommittee in a 
fair and unbiased manner, which has created the climate which allows 
for this type of consensus bipartisan initiative. He, and Ranking 
Member Tim Roemer have provided a shining example of how, when we take 
the time to listen to one another, we can work together on initiatives 
that are to the benefit of everyone.

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