DOE Proposes $1.2 Billion for Efficiency and Renewables in 2006

February 9, 2005

President Bush's proposed federal budget for fiscal year 2006 includes roughly $1.2 billion for the DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE). The proposed EERE budget emphasizes hydrogen technologies; offshore wind power; renewable and synthetic fuels; biorefineries; and a new collaborative initiative on crystalline silicon solar cells. In addition, the proposed budget increases funding for DOE's Weatherization Assistance Program. DOE plans to shift the emphasis of its Industrial Technologies Program from industry-specific research to multi-industry, high-risk research that could achieve significant energy savings. DOE also plans to transfer EERE's successful research and development of hydropower turbines and water management techniques to industry, thereby closing out EERE's involvement in hydropower technologies. See the fiscal year 2006 budget documents on the EERE Web site.