BACK | HOME

NASEO News

November 2004

2005 Energy Outlook Conference

Posted: November 23, 2004

This year's Energy Outlook 2005 Conference will be held on Feb. 15-18 (with the Opening Session on Wednesday morning, Feb. 16) at the The Madison in Washington, DC. A block of rooms has been reserved at a rate of $150 plus tax per night.

Hear from leading policymakers, federal officials, Congressional staff and energy issues experts. Network with state energy officials and other key energy stakeholders.   Click here for conference information.

Final FY05 Appropriations

Posted: November 22, 2004

Congress completed action on the nine remaining FY05 appropriations bills over the weekend.  The State Energy Program (SEP) received $44.798 million, less a .83% across-the-board cut.   The result is a slight increase over the
FY04 appropriations level.

Weatherization received $230 million, though it is still unclear whether the funding has been shifted from the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations bill to the Labor, HHS Appropriations Bill.

Funding for Rebuild America and Building Codes dropped by $1 million each from the House-passed funding levels.

The Industrial programs will be funded at $8 million below the much-higher House passed funding levels, though below the FY04 level and far above the Administration's request of $58 million.

The State Technology Advancement Collaborative (STAC) received a $4 million earmark and the following language:  The Rebuild America program is to be managed by the State Technologies Advancement Collaborative.  The Department should move quickly to facilitate the transfer of administrative management for this program to STAC.  The managers are pleased with STAC's management of the cooperative programs with the States and believe that the Rebuild America program will benefit from STAC management.  The Department should
examine other programs for potential STAC involvement in fiscal year 2005.

The Energy Information Administration received $85 million, which is slightly higher than the FY04 funding level.

The Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve was funded at $5 million.

The Energy and Water Appropriations Bill, included in this FY05 omnibus appropriations vehicle, provides:

• $82.1 million for biomass (up from the $72.6 million request),
• $25.8 million for geothermal (equal to the request),
• $95.3 million for hydrogen (equal to the request),
• $5 million for hydropower ($1 million below the request),
• $86.5 million for solar ($6 million above the request),
• $41.6 million for wind energy (equal to the request), and
• $17 million for intergovernmental activities ($1 million above the request).

The 3,000+ page bill and report is still being reviewed and more information will be provided.

< back to top >