House Appropriations Subcommittee Reviews Dept. of Energy Science Budget

“I need your help to defend basic research,” Will Happer testified to the House Energy and Water Development Appropriations Subcommittee this week. Happer, Director of the Office of Energy Research, (OER) appeared before the subcommittee on April 26. This subcommittee is instrumental in setting DOE’s budget for fiscal year 1994.

In his opening remarks, Happer, who will be leaving DOE, highlighted the 8% requested increase for OER, briefly describing the Advanced Neutron Source, Tokamak Fusion Test Reactor, B-Factory, FCCSET initiatives, and technology transfer.

Many of the questions asked by subcommittee chairman Tom Bevill (D-Alabama) and his colleagues revolved around worries that DOE would discontinue uncompleted projects, such as the fusion program or the SSC. Bevill remarked that “this research can get out of hand,” saying that it was the responsibility of the subcommittee to protect taxpayers’ dollars. Happer responded that DOE is “very firmly in favor of the super collider.”

Ranking Republican John Myers (R-Indiana) continued this same line of questioning, noting that the subcommittee has “very little technical experience,” later saying, “our experience [with canceled DOE projects] has not been the best.” Myers expressed particular concern with the new construction money DOE has requested.

Rep. Jim Chapman (D-Texas), a strong SSC supporter, clearly wanted to get Happer on the record about the collider. Saying that it would be a waste of money to cancel a partially-completed collider, Chapman forcefully asked Happer to state DOE’s position. Happer replied that there is “no question that the department fully supports the SSC,” citing Secretary Hazel O’Leary’s support and Vice President Al Gore’s interest in the collider. Chapman also asked about the project’s cost and schedule, Happer replying that the SSC lab will be issuing a report with new numbers on July 1.

Chapman asked Happer if he was aware of any technical “showstoppers.” Happer said no, although he spoke of challenges such as keeping all of the collider’s magnets working at the same time. Responding to a final line of questioning about foreign contributions, Happer said that while the Japanese are interested in the collider’s physics, they are nervous about U.S. commitment.

Rep. Dean Gallo’s (R-NJ) questions revolved around the TPX fusion program. He expressed concern about the project being shown on a separate line item (under investments) from that of the “core” program, the implication being that it was more exposed to budget cutting. Happer seemed to quiet Gallo’s concerns.

This hearing was largely uneventful, and no real concerns were expressed about any specific program or initiative. One member quipped, “no one can challenge you, because we don’t know a damn thing.”