{
  "id": "RL33294",
  "type": "CRS Report",
  "typeId": "REPORTS",
  "number": "RL33294",
  "active": false,
  "source": "EveryCRSReport.com",
  "versions": [
    {
      "source": "EveryCRSReport.com",
      "id": 312982,
      "date": "2006-03-03",
      "retrieved": "2016-04-07T19:10:32.159029",
      "title": "DOE Budget Earmarks: A Selective Look at Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy R&D Programs",
      "summary": "Appropriations earmarks for the Department of Energy's (DOE's) Energy Efficiency and\nRenewable\nEnergy (EERE) programs have tripled from FY2003 to FY2006. According to the Executive Office\nof the President and the private American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), this\naffects the conduct of programs and may delay the achievement of goals. Further, the\nAdministration has proposed new funding for hydrogen, biomass/biorefinery, and solar energy\ninitiatives proposed under the American Competitiveness Initiative/Advanced Energy Initiative\n(AEI).\n The report discusses the potential impact of congressional earmarks on EERE research and\ndevelopment (R&D) programs and, in particular, whether continued high levels of earmarks\ncould\nlead to new cuts in staff and dilute the desired impact of the AEI initiatives under EERE, should\nCongress decide to fund them.\n The congressional debate over earmarks centers on the transparency of the process, with a focus\non earmarks not initially approved in either chamber that appear in a bill's conference report. \nOpponents contend that the earmarking process is not open, fair, or competitive. Proponents say it\nis a legitimate practice and is justified by policymakers' knowledge of local needs, as it spreads\nresearch money to deserving states and institutions.\n The appropriation figures cited as \"earmarks\" in this report are those labeled by DOE budget\nrequests as \"congressionally directed activities\" and, for FY2006, appear to be completely consistent\nwith figures in the FY2006 Energy and Water Development (E&W) conference report that are\nlabeled as \"congressionally directed projects.\" In this regard, the earmark figures in this report\nappear consistent with the definition of a congressional appropriations earmark as \"funds set aside\nwithin an account for individual projects, locations, or institutions.\"\n This report will be updated as events warrant.",
      "type": "CRS Report",
      "typeId": "REPORTS",
      "active": false,
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      "topics": []
    }
  ],
  "topics": [
    "Appropriations",
    "Legislative Process",
    "Science and Technology Policy"
  ]
}