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My testimony today is based on our December 2006 report on key
challenges to developing and deploying advanced energy technologies.3
Specifically, my testimony will address (1) funding trends for DOE's
energy R&D program, (2) key barriers to developing and deploying
advanced energy technologies, and (3) efforts of the states and six
selected countries to develop and deploy advanced energy technologies.
Summary
DOE's budget authority for renewable, fossil, and nuclear energy R&D
declined by over 85 percent (in inflation-adjusted terms) from 1978
through 2005, dropping from about $5.5 billion in fiscal year 1978 to $793
million in fiscal year 2005.
Figure 1: DOE's Budget Authority for Renewable, Fossil, and Nuclear R&D, Fiscal
Years 1978-2005
Dollars in millions
6,000
5,000
4,000
3,000
2,000
1,000
0
1978 1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004
Fiscal year
Source: GAO analysis of DOE data.
Note: Budget authority is in real terms, adjusted to fiscal year 2005 dollars to account for inflation.
DOE's R&D efforts have made renewable technologies more cost
competitive, reduced harmful sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide pollution
by coal-fired power plants, and improved the safety and operating
efficiency for nuclear reactors. However, DOE and the energy industry still
need to overcome enormous technological and financial challenges before
advanced energy technologies are likely to supplant fossil fuels on a
3GAO, Department of Energy: Key Challenges Remain for Developing and Deploying
Advanced Energy Technologies to Meet Future Needs, GAO-07-106 (Washington, D.C.:
Dec. 20, 2006).
GAO-07-550T
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