DOE Secretary Defends FY25 Budget Request

ECA Staff | 03/21/2024

Wednesday, March 20, Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm defended the Biden FY25 budget request at a House Energy-Water Appropriations Subcommittee hearing. 

Earlier this month the White House released their FY25 budget request. DOE’s proposed budget would increase spending over the FY24 by $1.8 billion to a total of $51 billion for FY25.  

Appropriators had the opportunity to ask Secretary Granholm further questions regarding the significant appropriations for certain programs, the status report of major missions, and reasoning for the cut of certain efforts. 

Below are highlights from the hearing:

Secretary Granholm began by thanking appropriators yesterday, “Thanks to the bipartisan assistance we received from Congress, America is back to being the envy of the world.” 

Production of HALEU

The Secretary expressed her concern about funding for uranium supply chains. FY24 appropriations approved earlier this month include a $2.7 billion in funding for the domestic production of HALEU. However, that money is in limbo, due to the fact it is contingent on the federal government instituting a ban on Russian uranium imports. 

“I will say that the 2024 appropriations bill specifies that DOE cannot repurpose the [uranium] funds … until a law is enacted to ban those supplies from Russia,” Granholm said. “I strongly hope and encourage that Congress does that so that we can move with alacrity.”

Subcommittee Chair Chuck Fleischmann (R-Tenn) said the funding could be utilized if the president issued an executive order that would ban Russian uranium imports. However, Granholm countered by stating that actual legislation would be the preferable option as it would be more permanent. 

Office of Nuclear Energy Facing Cuts

A major concern voiced yesterday came from Fleischmann, who inquired about the agency’s proposed cuts to its nuclear programs in the Office of Nuclear Energy. However, Granholm explained that DOE was shifting programs around and was indeed not cutting the nuclear programs. The FY25 budget puts the Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program under the Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations, instead of the Office of Nuclear Energy. Under the FY25 request, the Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations is increased by nearly triple the amount.

Community Involvement on Department Initiatives

Representative Dan Newhouse (R-WA) also expressed concern on DOE’s Cleanup to Clean Energy initiative. Newhouse asked the Secretary, how DOE would ensure that the voice of communities, such as the Hanford community are being heard throughout the process. He stated that many community members are concerned that short-term investments will be prioritized such as solar and wind, while long-term investments like nuclear and hydropower are not being considered. 

Newhouse also questioned why DOE was proposing to cut $40 million from the Water Power Technologies Office, The Secretary explained that the FY25 budget was tight and that DOE was forced to prioritize funds. However, DOE still supports hydropower and is invested in exploring the clean energy source.  

To listen to the full FY25 Budget Request for DOE Hearing use this link.