ETEBA Applauds the President’s FY 2011 Budget Request

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Release Date: February 1, 2010

Contact: (202) 360‐9210


WASHINGTON—The Obama Administration today released its FY 2011 budget request
to Congress, which makes critical investments in key Department of Energy programs.

In the $28.4 billion budget for the Department of Energy, the new Administration makes many important energy, technology, and environmental funding choices that will maintain current work underway at DOE field sites and will also provide the investments necessary to propel a clean energy economy. Following is a statement from Nithin Akuthota, ETEBA Executive Director and DC representative.

“On the national security side of the DOE budget, the Administration clearly understands the importance of nuclear security and environmental management. Both of these budget accounts represent a fundamental commitment to the national security and environmental stewardship of this country. The National Nuclear Security Administration’s nuclear weapons programs – which are needed to reduce the nuclear stockpile while maintaining a safe, secure, and reliable nuclear deterrent – would receive $7 billion, including funding to support key construction projects at LANL and Y‐12. Meanwhile, the environmental management
program – which is responsible for the risk reduction and cleanup of the environmental legacy of the Nation's nuclear weapons program – would receive about $6 billion. This represents a substantial correction to devastating cuts that were contemplated just weeks ago.
The President’s State of the Union address focused on the importance of new reactors and his budget request followed suit in a major way. We are particularly pleased about the administration’s decision to add $36 billion to the nuclear energy loan guarantee program for a total of $54 billion in the account. On the disposal side of the equation, we are disappointed by the Administration’s decision to terminate the Yucca Mountain Repository program, but look forward to the balanced scientific findings of the newly created Blue Ribbon Commission. The nuclear renaissance has the very real potential to address climate change issues while creating a clean energy economy. And ETEBA companies are well equipped and stand ready to help make this renaissance a reality.  Continuing its trend toward accelerating science and alternative energy since coming to office, the new administration is also investing roughly $10 billion in clean energy and other innovative technologies. This budget – combined with its jobs proposal to spur new clean energy and environmental infrastructure projects beyond those funded under the Recovery Act – will be a significant boost to ETEBA’s member companies who provide support services to the Department of Energy.

All of these investments – nuclear security, environmental cleanup, and clean energy – are investments in job creation. During a constrained fiscal climate, tough decisions must be made, and with this request, we see smart choices that will keep the  momentum going forward on economic stimulus. Additionally, this budget is especially important in terms of setting the precedent or base for out‐year budget requests.

ETEBA now encourages Congress to support the President’s budget request during the upcoming appropriations process. We will continue to work with legislators and key stakeholders to ensure that the country's resources will continue to serve America's energy, environmental, and economic priorities for generations to come."

About ETEBA: The Energy, Technology & Environmental Business Association (ETEBA) is a 501(c)(6)
national non‐profit trade association representing a diverse group of businesses that provide environmental, energy, engineering and other technical services to federal agencies and commercial clients. ETEBA has chapters in Tennessee and New Mexico and an office in Washington, DC.