DOE Office of Science FY 2007 Operating Plan Released

The Department of Energy sent its “FY 2007 Operating Plan” to Congress last Friday. This thirty-one-page list of line items outlines how DOE will spend its $23.6 billion FY 2007 appropriation for this year. The FY 2007 continuing resolution funding bill passed by Congress did not allocate specific program funding for the Office of Science, which received $3,797,294,000. The Administration had requested $4,101.7 million for this year.

A March 16 press release states:

“The Office of Science’s $3.8 billion allocation incorporates full funding for the President’s initiative on fusion energy, funds most user facilities at near optimum levels, and permits making awards for three bioenergy research centers. DOE’s Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the nation and helps ensure U.S. world leadership across a broad range of scientific disciplines.”

The following dollar figures are taken from the section of FY 2007 Operating Plan entitled “Science.” Dollar and percentage changes are based upon these aggregate figures, and do not account for items such as “security charge for reimbursable work” or changes in program content.

For information on the original FY 2007 request sent to Congress in February 2006, see http://www.aip.org/fyi/2006/022.html

TOTAL SCIENCE:
Up 4.6 percent or $165.3 million, from $3,632.0 million in FY 2006 to $3,797.3 million this year.
The Administration has requested $4,397.9 million for FY 2008 that commences on October 1, 2007.

HIGH ENERGY PHYSICS:
Up 7.7 percent or $53.6 million, from $698.2 million to $751.8 million.
The Administration has requested $782.2 million for FY 2008.

NUCLEAR PHYSICS:
Up 18.2 percent or $65.0 million, from $357.8 million to $422.8 million.
The Administration has requested $471.3 million for FY 2008.

BIOLOGICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH:
Down 14.3 percent or $80.6 million, from $564.1 million to $483.5 million. Note that this account is where congressional earmarks have traditionally been placed.
The Administration has requested $531.9 million for FY 2008.

BASIC ENERGY SCIENCES:
Up 12.6 percent or $140.1 million, from $1,110.2 million to $1,250.3 million.
The Administration has requested $1,498.5 million for FY 2008.

FUSION ENERGY SCIENCES:
Up 13.6 percent or $38.3 million from $280.7 million to $319.0 million.
The Administration has requested $427.9 million for FY 2008.

ADVANCED SCIENTIFIC COMPUTING RESEARCH:
Up 24.1 percent or $55.0 million from $228.4 million to $283.5 million.
The Administration has requested $340.2 million for FY 2008.