Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham's release last week of "Facilities
for the Future of Science: A Twenty-Year Outlook," seems to signal
a change in the perception of the programs of the Office of Science
and the role that these programs will play in America's future. As Abraham
wrote in his message in this 46-page report, "These additional
world-class Office of Science user facilities and upgrades to current
facilities will lead to more world-class science, which will lead to
further world-class R&D, which will lead to greater technological
innovation and many other advances, which will lead to continued U.S.
economic competitiveness."
The underlying process, clarity and presentation of this report are
noteworthy. In an attempt to answer the often-asked question, what
would you do if you had more money?, Office of Science Director Ray
Orbach started a process in the fall of 2002 to prioritize future
major facilities. This process was much more labor and time
intensive than first envisioned. As outlined in four pages of this
report, the six Associate Directors were asked to develop a list of
desired major facilities or upgrades costing $50 million or more.
This process was completed by December 2002, and resulted in 46
facilities being identified. These facilities were then reviewed by
the six Office of Science advisory committees whose members are drawn
from academia (64%), DOE labs (15%), industry (10%), and other
government agencies and institutions. The committees assessed the
proposed facilities in terms of scientific importance and
construction readiness. By this stage in the process, the list had
grown to 53 facilities.
Orbach then prioritized these facilities within a funding envelope.
Projecting what the Office of Science's budget will be in two years
is difficult; looking ahead 20 years even more so. The decision was
made to use the authorization numbers contained in the energy policy
authorization bill (which was approved by the House this week.) These
figures, originally developed by Rep. Judy Biggert (R-IL), are through
FY 2008. For the years beyond, an annual 4% increase was calculated.
Having determined this funding profile, Orbach then narrowed the list
to 28 facilities across scientific disciplines "according to his
assessment of their scientific promise and their fit within the Department's
missions." It is important to note that in working within this
funding envelope, the Office of Science's "base research programs
and the other responsibilities" costs were first calculated, to
which the funding requirements for the contemplated facilities were
then added. Twelve of the 28 facilities are identified as near-term
(first six years), seven as mid-term, and eight as far-term. Project
construction dates and funding levels are not specified. Abraham and
another senior DOE official stressed the transparency and interdisciplinary
characteristics of the selection process. The report can be accessed
at: http://www.sc.doe.gov/Sub/Facilities_for_future/facilities_future.htm
Both the drafting and the release of this report indicate
considerable support. It was released in a highly visible public
forum at the National Press Club with a major address by Secretary
Abraham. Also, as explained in the introduction, the report
"benefitted from discussions with the White House Office of Science
and Technology Policy, the Office of Management and Budget, and
members of Congress." This was not a document developed in
isolation.
However, this is not a budget document, but as one senior DOE
official stated, "an outlook." As an all-important and carefully-
worded footnote states, "The Office of Science understands that
construction of the facilities listed within the envelopes will
depend on many factors, including funding being available as needed
with all technology hurdles surmounted as planned." "No one
believes
we will get all of the machines in twenty years," this official
stated. When asked when the facilities will be built, this same
official stated, "I wish I could tell you; it will depend on the
funding." It is expected that the first funding ramifications of
this plan will be evidenced in the FY 2006 budget request, which will
be sent to Congress in fourteen months.
When Secretary Abraham was asked about the timing of these
facilities, he replied that those decisions are "up to the
presidents and Congresses" during the next twenty years. A major
factor in determining what decisions are made in Washington, both
next year, and in the years to come, will be the amount of vocal and
sustained public interest and support that is expressed for the
Department of Energy's Office of Science and its programs.
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