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May 27, 2021
DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy:
FY2021 Appropriations
The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Office of
Supporting research in vehicle technologies, bioenergy
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) is
technologies, and hydrogen and fuel cell technologies;
responsible for enabling renewable energy and end-use
energy efficiency technology development and
Supporting the integration of renewable energy and
implementation. For example, EERE oversees vehicle
energy storage technologies and emissions-reducing
technology, solar energy, advanced manufacturing, and
technologies into nonelectric sectors; and
weatherization programs. Other activities include
participation in intergovernmental programs, establishing
Supporting energy efficiency research for the buildings
minimum energy conservation standards for appliances and
and industrial sectors.
equipment, and providing technical support.
Executive Branch Actions
EERE collaborates with industry, academia, national
For FY2021, the Trump Administration requested $719.6
laboratories, and others to conduct and support research,
million for EERE—roughly a 74% reduction from the
development, demonstration, and deployment activities.
FY2020 enacted level of $2.79 billion. The Trump
EERE also manages a portfolio of programs that support
Administration proposed reductions in funding for
state and local governments, tribes, and school leaders.
sustainable transportation, renewable energy, and energy
Further, EERE oversees and supports the research and
efficiency. The Trump Administration called for EERE to
infrastructure of the National Renewable Energy
focus on “early-stage research and development” and
Laboratory (NREL)—the only U.S. national laboratory
“long-range (5-15 years) transformation technologies,
solely dedicated to researching and developing renewable
materials, and process,” stating that “industry typically
energy and energy efficiency technologies.
focuses on near term (2-4 years) investments in marginal
improvements to capacity or efficiency.” To meet this
For FY2021, the Trump Administration requested that
objective, the request proposed to reduce funding for
funding levels for EERE be reduced by more than 74%
several EERE initiatives. The request would have
from FY2020 enacted levels. Of the FY2021 request for
terminated both the Weatherization Assistance Program
EERE, 17% would be reserved for program direction.
(WAP) and the State Energy Program (SEP). Further, the
request contained no funds for the five Clean Energy
EERE Appropriations
Manufacturing Innovation Institutes, and recommended that
EERE receives funding from the annual Energy and Water
balances from prior-year appropriations be used to wind
Development (E&W) appropriations bill. Under the
down and terminate the existing institutes.
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, P.L. 116-260,
EERE received $2.86 billion for FY2021, approximately
Legislative Actions
$72 million more than the enacted FY2020 level of $2.79
Funding of EERE was of interest to the 116th Congress.
billion (the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020;
Concerns included not only the level of EERE
P.L. 116-94, Division C). From FY2018 to FY2021,
appropriations, but also which activities EERE should
appropriations for EERE averaged $2.59 billion annually in
support. The 116th Congress continued to support the WAP
current dollars (see Table 1).
and the SEP and increased funding for FY2021 for several
energy efficiency programs compared to FY2020 enacted
EERE appropriations are split into four categories: (1)
levels. For programs within sustainable transportation and
sustainable transportation, (2) renewable energy, (3) energy
renewable energy, some programs received funding
efficiency, and (4) corporate support (e.g., program
increases, others received funding decreases, and some
administration and facilities). Averaging the appropriations
were stable compared to FY2020 enacted funding levels.
for each category from FY2018 to FY2021 indicates that
approximately 28% of the appropriations were spent on
The House-approved bill (H.R. 7617, Division C) included
sustainable transportation, 23% on renewable energy, 39%
“additional” funding for EERE. Under Title VI, the House
on energy efficiency, and 11% on corporate support.
recommended $8.33 billion in emergency funding for
weatherization improvements to low-income housing,
Themes considered during the Energy and Water
energy efficiency and conservation block grants, and
Development appropriations process for FY2021 include:
electric vehicle infrastructure. The Senate Appropriations
Committee did not consider an FY2021 Energy and Water
Supporting the Grid Modernization Initiative to improve
Development Appropriations bill, but the committee
reliability, resiliency, and affordability of electricity;
majority did issue a draft bill and explanatory statement.
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The Senate majority draft and P.L. 116-260 did not include
emergency funding for EERE.
Table 1. EERE FY2018-FY2021 Enacted Appropriations and FY2021 Appropriations Status
(in millions of dol ars)
FY2021
FY2018
FY2019
FY2020
FY2021
FY2021
Senate
FY2021
Enacted
Enacted
Enacted
Request
House
Drafta
Enacted
EERE, Total
2,321.8
2,379.0
2,790.0
719.6
2,848.0
2,848.0
2,861.8
Sustainable Transportation
674.0
690.0
805.5
160.9
804.0
804.5
805.0
Vehicle Technologies
337.5
344.0
396.0
74.4
396.0
410.0
400.0
Bioenergy Technologies
221.5
226.0
259.5
44.5
258.0
244.5
255.0
Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies
115.0
120.0
150.0
42.0
150.0
150.0
150.0
Renewable Energy
519.5
527.5
642.0
160.1
638.0
641.8
646.0
Solar Energy
241.6
246.5
280.0
67.0
280.0
233.8
280.0
Wind Energy
92.0
92.0
104.0
22.1
104.0
115.0
110.0
Water Power
105.0
105.0
148.0
45.0
145.4
148.0
150.0
Geothermal Technologies
80.9
84.0
110.0
26.0
108.5
105.0
106.0
Renewable Energy Grid Integrationb
—
—
—
—
—
40.0
—
Energy Efficiency
858.7
888.0
1,091.0
164.0
1,100.0
1,102.5
1,103.5
Advanced Manufacturing
305.0
320.0
395.0
94.6
395.0
395.0
396.0
Building Technologies
220.7
226.0
285.0
61.0
285.0
295.0
290.0
Federal Energy Management Program
27.0
30.0
40.0
8.4
40.0
40.0
40.0
Weatherization and Intergovernmental
306.0
312.0
371.0
0
380.0
372.5
377.5
Program
Weatherization Assistance
248.0
254.0
305.0
0
310.0
305.0
310.0
Program
Training and Technical Assistance
3.0
3.0
3.5
0
5.0
5.0
5.0
State Energy Program Grants
55.0
55.0
62.5
0
65.0
62.5
62.5
Corporate Supportc
269.5
273.5
309.5
234.6
308.2
305.5
309.5
Facilities and Infrastructure
92.0
97.0
130.0
107.0
128.7
130.0
130.0
Program Direction
162.5
162.5
165.0
122.6
165.0
161.0
165.0
Strategic Programs
15.0
14.0
14.5
5.0
14.5
14.5
14.5
Use of Prior-Year Balances
0.0
0.0
—
0
0
-4.1
0
Rescissions
0.0
0.0
-58.0
0
-2.2
-2.2
-2.2
Source: P.L. 115-244 Division A Joint Explanatory Statement; FY2021 Budget Request vol. 3, part 1 (February 2020); P.L. 116-260 Division D
Explanatory Statement; H.Rept. 116-449; FY2021 Senate Appropriations Committee majority draft explanatory statement.
Notes: EERE = DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy; NREL = National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Amounts may not
sum due to rounding.
a. The Senate Appropriations Committee did not consider an FY2021 Energy and Water Development Appropriations bil , but the
committee majority did issue a draft bil and explanatory statement.
b. Renewable Energy Grid Integration appears as a separate category in the FY2021 Senate Appropriations Committee majority draft
explanatory statement.
c. Corporate support includes facilities and infrastructure, program direction, and strategic programs.
Corrie E. Clark, Analyst in Energy Policy
Melissa N. Diaz, Analyst in Energy Policy
IF11840
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DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy: FY2021 Appropriations
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