WASHINGTON, DC – This week, the full U.S. Senate approved the fiscal year 2017 Energy and Water Development Appropriations bill on a vote of 90 to 8.  The $37.5 billion measure will fund U.S. Department of Energy programs and critical infrastructure projects administered by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.  Overall, it provides $355 million more than the FY2016 enacted level and includes key provisions backed by U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse to support Rhode Island initiatives and strengthen the state’s water and energy infrastructure.

“This legislation makes important investments in energy research and protecting our coastline and waterways.  I am pleased we were able to boost weatherization assistance and secure the funding the Army Corps of Engineers needs to move forward with important projects around the state,” said Senator Reed.  Reed, along with U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) included a total of $220,600,000 for Weatherization Assistance Programs (WAP) in the final bill, an increase of $5 million over the previous fiscal year.  Through grants to states working with community partners, WAP has successfully weatherized 7.4 million low-income homes, helping low-income families reduce their energy bills by upgrading insulation and making energy-saving improvements to heating, cooling, and electrical systems.

“This bill funds a number of important efforts to promote clean energy,” said Senator Whitehouse.  “It will support Rhode Island’s growing green economy and important Army Corps projects throughout the state.  I’m grateful to Senator Reed for his strong leadership in increasing funding for the Weatherization Assistance Program, which helps Rhode Islanders save on energy and benefits our environment.”  Whitehouse worked to include several Rhode Island priorities that were incorporated into the bill, including boosting funding for efforts to reduce methane leaks from natural gas infrastructure; funds to improve licensing of advanced nuclear reactors; and funding for carbon utilization technologies like algae, which are a growing segment of the state’s clean-energy economy.

The Senate Energy and Water Development Appropriations Bill includes:

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: The bill provides $6 billion to fund the nation’s water infrastructure.  The bill utilizes fiscal year 2017 revenues generated from the Inland Waterway Trust Fund and meets the target for projects eligible for Harbor Maintenance Trust Funds.  Eligible projects in Rhode Island include: 

  • Fox Point Hurricane Barrier, Providence: $1.067 million
  • Providence River and Harbor, Providence: $200,000
  • Woonsocket Flood Protection Project: $544,000
  • Great Salt Pond, Block Island: $350,000
  • Block Island Harbor of Refuge: $350,000

Basic Scientific Research: The bill provides $5.4 billion for the Office of Science, $50 million more than fiscal year 2016.  Nearly all Office of Science programs see significant increases and the bill fully funds the requested operational levels of scientific user facilities at the national laboratories.  The Department of Energy is the largest single provider of funding for basic research in the physical sciences in the country.  Increasing the availability of our world-class scientific facilities as well as expanding research at our top universities needs additional support if America is to continue being a global leader in science and engineering.

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Programs: The bill provides $2.073 billion for energy efficiency and renewable energy programs, equal to fiscal year 2016.  This funding supports sustainable transportation programs that develop new fuels, lightweight materials, and vehicle engines; energy efficiency programs that develop standards and technologies to reduce energy bills; and renewable energy programs that work to lower the cost of solar, wind, geothermal, and water power technologies. 

Nuclear Weapons and Nonproliferation: The bill funds the National Nuclear Security Administration at $12.867 billion.  Efforts to extend the life of the current nuclear weapons stockpile are fully funded.  The Naval Reactor program fully funds the Ohio Class replacement reactor program. 

Environmental Cleanup: Cleanup of Cold War and other nuclear sites is funded at $6.351 billion.  This program addresses a legacy of radioactive and hazardous contamination at sites across the country and the bill addresses many of the highest environmental risks posed by these sites.

Now that the bill has been approved by the full U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of Representatives must consider and pass a version of the bill so the two measures can go to conference to be reconciled.