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Department of Energy

In covering DOE’s science-related activities, FYI focuses on the Office of Science, including its six program offices and 10 national laboratories. FYI also covers the Advanced Research Projects Agency—Energy and the science-related activities of the National Nuclear Security Administration, including its three national laboratories.

A photograph taken by a visitor in 2014 of the interior of Wilson Hall, the iconic main building on Fermilab's campus in Batavia, Illinois.

Scientists and the Public Petition to Roll Back Fermilab Access Restrictions

More than 2,500 scientists and community members have signed a petition calling on Fermilab to loosen cumbersome visitor access procedures. Lab management says safety and security concerns are driving access policies, but also that improvements are on the way.

INL Materials and Fuels Complex

Idaho Reactor Project Plans to Use Bomb-Grade Uranium

The six-month Molten Chloride Reactor Experiment that TerraPower and Southern Company plan to conduct at Idaho National Lab would be a rare case in which highly enriched uranium is used for new domestic civilian purposes.

INL Materials and Fuels Complex

Idaho Reactor Project Plans to Use Bomb-Grade Uranium

The six-month Molten Chloride Reactor Experiment that TerraPower and Southern Company plan to conduct at Idaho National Lab would be a rare case in which highly enriched uranium is used for new domestic civilian purposes.

DOE Budget Priorities Questioned by New House Republican Majority

House appropriators for the Department of Energy previewed their priorities at a hearing on DOE’s budget request for fiscal year 2024, the first since Republicans won control of the House.

FY24 Science Budget Proposals Coming Into Focus

Science agencies are releasing details of President Biden’s fiscal year 2024 budget request, which prioritizes research related to emerging technologies and climate change and includes a new emphasis on fusion energy.

Senate Appropriations Committee staff members touring the National Renewable Energy Lab in Colorado in October 2022

FY23 Budget Outcomes: DOE Applied Energy R&D

Congress provided increases in the range of 7% to 8% for the Department of Energy’s three main applied energy R&D offices in fiscal year 2023 and the department is gearing up to distribute billions of dollars appropriated through the infrastructure law enacted in 2021.

NIF technician inspects target

FY23 Budget Outcomes: National Nuclear Security Administration

The National Nuclear Security Administration’s budget increased by $1.5 billion to $22.2 billion for fiscal year 2023, with most of the additional money allocated to plutonium infrastructure projects. Congress also provided significant budget increases for inertial confinement fusion and nuclear nonproliferation.

NIF technician inspects target

FY23 Budget Outcomes: National Nuclear Security Administration

The National Nuclear Security Administration’s budget increased by $1.5 billion to $22.2 billion for fiscal year 2023, with most of the additional money allocated to plutonium infrastructure projects. Congress also provided significant budget increases for inertial confinement fusion and nuclear nonproliferation.

Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm speaks at Argonne National Lab

FY23 Budget Outcomes: DOE Office of Science

Congress raised the budget for the Department of Energy’s Office of Science by 8% to $8.1 billion for fiscal year 2023, double the request. Combined with a one-time boost last year from the Inflation Reduction Act, the office has been able to accelerate certain projects and initiatives across its portfolio.

Science Policy in 2023: 10 Stories to Watch

FYI presents its annual list of 10 science policy stories to watch in the year ahead.