FY 1996 Budget Request: Department of Energy - Fundamental Science
The Department of Energy has sent a $17.8 billion budget request to Congress for Fiscal Year 1996. Current year funding is $17.5 billion. DOE requested $2,810.5 million for fundamental science research, which is an increase of $102.4 million, or 3.8%. Of major importance to the physics community is a $100 million, or 10%, increase in DOE basic research facilities funding. This “Presidential Budget Initiative” would increase user-facility operations about 30%. Twenty-three basic energy sciences, high energy physics, nuclear physics, and scientific computing facilities would be affected. As an example, DOE estimates Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lab’s operating capacity would increase from 50% to almost 100% utilization. High Energy Physics Funding would increase $43.5 million, or 6.8%, from $642.1 million to $685.6 million. DOE states in its “Budget Highlights” report that this request “accommodates the recommendations of the Drell Panel review of the program and provides $15 million as part of the Scientific Facilities Utilization Initiative” -- which it roughly does. Within this request is $52.0 million for construction of Fermilab’s Main Injector and $52.0 million for SLAC’s B-Factory.
Nuclear Physics Funding declines $10.4 million, or 3.1%, from $331.5 million to $321.1 million. DOE would provide $70.0 million “to operate the completed Continuous Electron Beam Accelerator Facility and continue construction of the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider.” Last year, the DOE/NSF Nuclear Science Advisory Committee recommended a FY 1996 budget of $348 million.
Fusion Energy Research Funding declines from $368.4 million to $366.0 million. DOE explains that the magnetic fusion energy budget “provides for a concentrated effort on the tokamak design concept and on an integrated international approach to demonstrate the scientific and technological feasibility of fusion power.” The budget’s objectives: 1.) completion of the analysis of the TFTR D-T experiments, 2.) “U.S. participation in the engineering design phase” of ITER, 3.) “to construct an experimental facility to explore the physics of improved power plant concepts,” 4.) “a strong base physics and technology research program...to support ITER, TPX, and a demonstration power plant.”
Basic Energy Sciences funding increases $77.5 million, or 10.6%, from $733.9 million to $811.4 million. DOE made no request for the Advanced Neutron Source since it “proposes to terminate the project because of its high cost.” Instead, the $348.3 million request for the materials sciences program includes $8.0 million “for research and development leading to the conceptual design of a spallation neutron source to meet the Nation’s need for a next generation neutron scattering source.” The “preferred site” for this facility is Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Included in the over-all request is $3.2 million for final construction of Argonne’s 6-7 GeV Synchrotron Radiation Source and $2.0 million for the Sandia lab’s Combustion Research Facility, Livermore.
