HOUSE OKS DOE BUDGET

House approves 2012 Department of Energy funding bill
Pete Kasperowicz, July 15, 2011 (The Hill)

"The House… narrowly approved a 2012 appropriations bill [H.R. 2354] funding the Department of Energy and related agencies…by a 219-196 vote. All but 21 Republicans voted for the bill, along with just 10 Democrats…The bill provides $30.6 billion for DOE and other related agencies, about $1 billion less than FY 2011 funding levels.

"As has been the case with other spending bills, the energy and water bill survived several attempts by efforts by Democrats to increase funding for various energy projects, but also survived Republican attempts to cut spending further…"

click to enlarge

"Over the several days of considering the bill, members did approve amendments that block funding for energy efficiency research in China, increase solar energy R&D funding by $10 million and prohibit salaries for recess-appointed officials at the department until they are confirmed by the Senate.

"Members also approved language defunding a 2007 law that sets light bulb standards, which Republicans have attacked as a government overreach…Rep. Tom McClintock (R-Calif.) noted that the bill requires the sale of $500 million worth of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, and that funds from this sale go into the general treasury…[and] called this a "scandal," but House Republicans did not allow any amendments to be considered striking this language…"