Bush’s Energy Budget: Proposals Not Consistent with Claims

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http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2008/02/energy_budget.html

Bush’s Energy Budget: Proposals Not Consistent with Claims

February 8, 2008

President Bush has repeatedly said in recent months that he would lead the United States in taking steps to reduce oil consumption, combat global warming and expand the production of renewable fuels. Bush signed the Energy Independence and Security Act in December, and in his State of the Union address just last week, he said that we must continue to invest in renewable fuels and that the United States is committed to strengthening our energy security and confronting global climate change.

Yet a quick look at the president's FY 2009 budget proposals for the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency programs show cuts in critical areas, including climate protection, tribal energy, and solar energy, while funding for fossil and nuclear energy was increased. And some programs, such as Weatherization Assistance Grants, and the Renewable Energy Production Incentive, were zeroed out entirely.

The Basics

$1.26 billion: Total fiscal year 2009 budget request for Department of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy programs.

27 percent: Decrease in funding from the fiscal year 2008 appropriations level.

$385.5 million: Increase in nuclear energy funding, which amounts to
37 percent increase from FY 08 appropriations.

$222.7 million: Increase in fossil energy funding, which amounts to a
25 percent increase over FY 08 appropriations.

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[WHEN CRABS ROAR]

1. Follow the money, mega corporate money.