Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee Chairwoman Marcy Kaptur (D-OH-09) delivered the following remarks on the House Floor in support of, a minibus of seven fiscal year 2022 appropriations bills:
Thank you, Chair DeLauro. Thank you for your leadership of this great Committee.
The Energy and Water division makes significant investments to secure our energy independence, foster scientific innovation, and address the crisis of climate change. Not only does the bill meet the needs of the current moment, it provides a foundation to Build Back Better.
Headlines tell the story: NBC News reported that “the West catches fire while the East goes under water as climate change fuels both extremes."
As these extreme conditions spread across the country, our goal must be to provide the necessary energy and water assets to help sustain life on earth.
Our bill invests over $53 billion dollars to provide strategic resources to address these challenges, while creating good-paying, middle class jobs in communities across this country with a greater commitment to those too often left behind.
Let me walk through key investments in this bill:
* $45.1 billion for the Department of Energy, $3.2 billion above enacted. Within DOE:
** The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) receives record funding of $3.7 billion, $906 million above enacted.
** Weatherization programs receive $398 million, $83 million above enacted.
** ARPA-E receives $600 million, $173 million above enacted.
** The Office of Science receives $7.32 billion, $294 million above enacted.
** We responsibly fund our nuclear deterrent, and increase funding for nonproliferation programs.
* The Army Corps receives $8.6 billion, $1.9 billion above the budget request, to support our nation’s water infrastructure and dredge ports and harbors.
* The Bureau of Reclamation receives $1.9 billion, $413 million above the budget request, including $191 million to address the western drought.
* And our bill increases funding for regional commissions, which promote economic development in distressed counties.
In short, this bill sustains life on earth by providing critical funding for water infrastructure, clean energy, and a credible nuclear deterrent, all while supporting the creation of good-paying jobs in every region of our country.
Thank you. I yield back.
Source: U.S. Department of HCA
