What's New From ASERTTI

National Governors' Association State R&D Workshop

On March 25-26, the National Governors' Association (NGA) held the "State Workshop on Clean Energy Research, Development and Demonstration" in Seattle, Washington. The event highlighted the considerable contributions of state energy research and technology transfer institutions, as well as cutting-edge information on clean energy priorities. Several ASERTTI members and partners presented at the meeting including NYSERDA, Advanced Energy, California Energy Commission - PIER, NREL, and EPRI. The presentations can be accessed at the NGA web site (www.nga.org), and ASERTTI's presentation can be accessed by clicking here.

ASERTTI Supports EPA ENERGY STAR Funding

This week, ASERTTI added it's support to an Alliance to Save Energy-led effort to shore up funding for U.S. EPA's ENERGY STAR Program. In a letter to the House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee Chair, ASE, ASERTTI, and others call for a restoration of funds from the Administration's proposed FY'09 cut in the program. A copy of the letter can be access by clicking here.

ASERTTI Energy Appropriations Testimony

On March 19, 2008, ASERTTI provided testimony to the U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development. The testimony supports many of the major areas of research, technology transfer, and deployment ASERTTI members are engaged in. In particular, it calls for increased funding for a number of industrial efficiency and buildings activities within DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. To access the testimony click here. If you have questions about the appropriations process or ASERTTI's testimony, please contact David Terry at DTerry@asertti.org.

President’s FY’09 DOE and EPA Budget Request

The President's proposed budget for the Federal Government was released February 4, 2008, in Washington, DC. The FY 2009 budget request for DOE-EERE activities is $1,255 billion. This is $19 million higher than the FY’08 request, and a decrease of $467.0 million or 27.1 percent below actual FY 2008 appropriations. The President’s FY 2009 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) budget request is $7.14 billion, which is $56.9 million less than the FY 2008 budget request and $330 million less than FY 2008 appropriations. Some of the highlights of the DOE-EERE FY’09 budget request include:

Hydrogen Technology FY’09 request of $146 million, FY’ 08 request of $213 million
Biomass FY’09 request of $225 million, FY’ 08 request of $179 million
Solar Energy FY’09 request of $156 million, FY’ 08 request of $148 million
Wind Energy FY’09 request of $53 million, FY’ 08 request of $40 million
Geothermal Technology FY’09 request, of $30 million FY’ 08 request of N/A
Water Power FY’09 request of $3 million, FY’ 08 request of N/A
Vehicle Technologies FY’09 request of $221 million, FY’ 08 request of $176 million
Building Technologies FY’09 request of $124 million, FY’ 08 request of $86 million
Industrial Technologies FY’09 request of $62 million, FY’ 08 request of $46 million
Federal Energy Management Program FY’09 request of $22 million, FY’ 08 request of $17 million
Weatherization FY’09 request $0, FY’08 request $144 million
State Energy Program FY’09 request of $50 million ($25M formula, $25M competitive), FY’08 request $45 million

A PDF of the budget request detail for DOE-EERE is available by clicking here.

The President’s FY 2009 budget request for Climate Protection programs includes such programs as Energy Star, SmartWay Transport, Methane to Markets Partnership and Asia-Pacific Partnership. Following are highlights of the request:

ENERGY STAR – $4 million cut from FY'08 to $44 million
Greenhouse Gas Reporting Registry – $0 a 100% cut from $3.4 million in FY'08 appropriations
Climate Science and Technology program – $6.9 million cut from FY'08 appropriations
Methane to Markets – $177,000 increase or a 4.1% increase from FY'08 appropriations
Asian Pacific Partnership – $5.0 million increase with no previous appropriation amount

A PDF of the EPA budget can be access at http://www.epa.gov/ocfo/budget/2009/2009bib.pdf.

ASERTTI is engaging the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Congressional staff to ensure state cost-shared, competitive funding that targets state and local energy and environmental institutions becomes an important element of federal funding for FY’09. If you have questions please contact David Terry at DTerry@asertti.org.

Additional News Stories

ASERTTI Clean Energy Outlook Meeting
February 13, 2008
FY’08 Energy and Environmental Appropriations Final
December 21, 2007
EPA Climate and Energy Programs Appropriations
December 21, 2007
House Majority Leader Indicates Continued Delay on Energy Bill Agreement
November 19, 2007
Kalland Reappointed to NC GreenPower Board
November 19, 2007
Clean Fuel Advanced Technology Projects Announced
November 19, 2007
NC Biomass Roadmap Released
November 19, 2007
ASERTTI Members Elect New Leadership, Annual Meeting Presentations Online
November 9, 2007

For past news stories visit our News Archive.