Final FY 2001 Energy and Water Development Bill: Selected Science Programs

If all goes as planned, a vote today by the full Senate at 5:30 P.M. may complete action on the FY 2001 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Bill. The House passed the bill last Thursday by a vote of 301-118. Funding provided by this bill increased over last year for High Energy Physics, Nuclear Physics, Basic Energy Sciences, and Fusion Energy Sciences.

The final version of this legislation, H.R. 4733, is more complicated this year because of budgetary adjustments that were included in the bill after various appropriations were made. The effect of these adjustments is to reduce the amounts shown; by exactly how much is uncertain. One adjustment for about $38 million is for “safeguards and security costs.” This is to be funded out of some, but not all, of the accounts in the over-all budget for DOE “Science.” The other adjustment is for what is called “a general reduction.” This general reduction of about $34 million is to be taken out of the Science budget in a way yet to be determined. These two reductions amount to approximately $72 million, or 2.2% of the total Science budget. In addition, the administration amended its first budget request. The saying, “the devil is in the details” applies to the following numbers, and the details are not yet known. While these numbers are fairly firm, minor changes are possible, depending upon how that general reduction is made. Finally, these are aggregate numbers, and do not reflect directed spending specified by Congress or changes in program content.

HIGH ENERGY PHYSICS:
Last year’s budget was $703.8 million.
For fiscal year 2001 the administration originally requested $714.7 million.
The FY 2001 appropriation is shown as $726.1 million, an increase of 3.2% over last year.
This FY 2001 appropriation, when subjected to the above reductions, could be $712.7 million.

NUCLEAR PHYSICS:
Last year’s budget was $355.8 million.
For fiscal year 2001 the administration originally requested $369.9 million.
The FY 2001 appropriation is shown as $369.9 million, an increase of 4.0% over last year.
This FY 2001 appropriation, when subjected to the above reductions, could be $360.1 million.

BASIC ENERGY SCIENCES:
Last year’s budget was $779.4 million.
For fiscal year 2001 the administration originally requested $1,015.8 million.
The FY 2001 appropriation is shown as $1,013.4 million, an increase of 30.0% over last year.
This FY 2001 appropriation, when subjected to the above reductions, could be $992.4 million.

The Basic Energy Sciences budget contains funding for the Spallation Neutron Source, which accounts for the large increase. The final bill states: “The recommendation includes $278,600,000, including $259,500,000 for construction and $19,100,000 for related research and development, the same as the amended budget request, for the Spallation Neutron Source.”

FUSION ENERGY SCIENCES:
Last year’s budget was $247.8 million.
For fiscal year 2001 the administration originally requested $247.3 million.
The FY 2001 appropriation is shown as $255.0 million, an increase of 2.9% over last year.
This FY 2001 appropriation, when subjected to the above reductions, could be $248.5 million.