Department of Energy:

Proposed Budget in Support of the President's Climate Change Technology Initiative

RCED-98-147, Apr 10, 1998

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Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO provided: (1) information on how the Department of Energy (DOE) plans to alter its climate change research and development (R&D) spending from fiscal year (FY) 1998 to FY 1999; and (2) its observations regarding funding for R&D, based on its previous work.

GAO noted that: (1) DOE is proposing to increase its spending to about $1.06 billion for R&D in FY 1999 to support the Climate Change Technology Initiative, a $331-million increase from funding in FY 1998 for programs related to climate change; (2) the $331-million increase, as well as the remaining $729 million, will continue to support and expand existing R&D programs in energy efficiency and renewable energy, as well as other programs related to climate change; (3) total funding, according to DOE, will address multiple energy and environmental goals, including decreasing the United States' dependence on foreign oil, improving air quality, decreasing energy costs for consumers and businesses, increasing economic competitiveness, and cutting greenhouse gas emissions; and (4) from reviewing its previous reports on R&D, GAO has drawn five common themes that Congress may want to consider as it deliberates DOE's budget proposal.