Energy & Environment

Given the central role that physical scientists have traditionally played in the history of nuclear energy and weapons, FYI covers major developments in nuclear energy and weapons policy, particularly as they relate to ongoing science policy matters.

FY21 Budget Outlook: National Nuclear Security Administration

30 Oct 2020

The Trump administration’s proposed budget surge for the National Nuclear Security Administration is facing headwinds in Congress, with Democrats increasingly questioning the scope and pace of its plans to modernize the U.S. nuclear weapons enterprise.

FY21 NDAA: Nuclear Security and Military Technology Proposals

9 Sep 2020

The House and Senate versions of the fiscal year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act make significant policy proposals for the National Nuclear Security Administration as well as for the Defense Department’s missile defense and space technology development efforts.

FY21 Budget Request: National Nuclear Security Administration

17 Apr 2020

The budget for the National Nuclear Security Administration would continue its recent rapid rise under the Trump administration’s latest proposal for the agency, jumping 18% to just under $20 billion.

Final FY20 Appropriations: National Nuclear Security Administration

6 Feb 2020

The budget for the National Nuclear Security Administration is continuing its recent rapid rise, with the latest appropriation supporting major new plutonium research and production initiatives while rejecting a proposal to pare back the inertial confinement fusion program.

Congress Passes National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020

20 Dec 2019

This year's National Defense Authorization Act includes numerous provisions bearing on science and technology policy, including ones establishing a Space Force, creating a Climate Security Advisory Council, and directing the Defense Department’s research security efforts.

FY20 Appropriations Bills: National Nuclear Security Administration

26 Sep 2019

Both the House and Senate propose substantial budget increases for the National Nuclear Security Administration’s weapons R&D and nonproliferation programs, matching or exceeding the president’s request in many instances.

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020: House and Senate Proposals

13 Aug 2019

The House and Senate have completed work on their respective versions of the annual legislation that updates U.S. defense policy. The bills include numerous proposals related to DOD’s research laboratories, innovation policy, nuclear weapons, research security, and climate change, among other areas.

Top Appropriator Looking to Address Looming Lab Workforce Shortfall

30 May 2019

Worried about an impending wave of retirements at the national laboratories, House appropriations subcommittee chair Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) announced last week she is interested in supporting a broad initiative to train a new generation of elite scientists.

FY20 Budget Request: National Nuclear Security Administration

3 May 2019

The National Nuclear Security Administration proposes to ramp up funding for new plutonium experimentation and production facilities while paring back support for inertial confinement fusion in its latest budget request. Meanwhile, funding for nonproliferation programs would increase slightly overall.

Final FY19 Appropriations: National Nuclear Security Administration

21 Sep 2018

Within a 4 percent overall budget increase for the National Nuclear Security Administration, funding for most weapons and nonproliferation R&D programs will remain steady in fiscal year 2019. Congress rejected steep proposed cuts to inertial confinement fusion programs and greenlit development of a controversial new low-yield nuclear warhead.

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