White House Budget: More Research, Carbon Capture; Less Yucca Mountain

The White House revealed its budget proposals for fiscal 2010 and it pretty much sticks with the plans already laid out by the President.

The White House has proposed a $26.8 billion budget for the Department of Energy. That’s lower than the $33.9 budget for 2009. The difference comes because the 2010 budget does not include the $7.5 billion in emergency loans or the $250 weatherization programs.

It is higher than the budgets for 2006 ($23.6 billion), 207 ($23.7 billion) or 2008 ($24.1 billion.). The 2010 totals, however, don’t include the $39 billion that will go to the smart grid and solar industries (among others) through the Recovery Act so the total going to energy is a lot higher.

but more importantly, the priorities have been shifted around. The President reaffirmed the commitment to double research in basic sciences. Smart grid and energy efficiency was listed as the first priority beneath that and right below that was carbon capture. ($3.4 billion has already been dedicated to carbon capture in the Recovery Act.)

The nuclear depository at Yucca Mountain, however, will be “scaled back.” That may not be a blow to the nuclear industry. The political hot water surrounding Yucca Mountain, along with increasing support for recycling fuel has even made staunch nuclear advocates see this as a non-starter.

Meanwhile, over in the Department of Transportation, there’s a five-year, $5 billion request for high speed rail. The 2010 budget rises to $72.5 billion from $70.6 billion in 2008, but the 2010 figure doesn’t include $48 billion tucked into the Recovery Act.

Interestingly, the Department of the Interior stays nearly flat at $12 million but there’s additional funding for national parks and water conservation.