Pushing commercialization in a year of budget cuts. [Special report on DOE's FY-80 budget]

Journal Article · Wed Oct 04 04:00:00 EDT 1978 · Inside DOE; (United States)

OSTI ID:6470166

DOE's FY-80 budget, in contrast to the hybrid FY-79 budget built on the priorities of DOE's predecessor agencies, embodies DOE's rationale for major commercialization expenditures in a year when President Carter has vowed to balance the budget. This special report focuses on selected portions of DOE's budget submission to the Office of Management and Budget in mid-September and takes a look at: (1) coal technology: more than $750-million sought for construction of solvent-refined coal plants; (2) gas r and d: with 75% more funds, DOE says it can increase reserves by 75%; (3) oil shale: DOE says it will continue to seek $3/bbl tax credit if its current bid fails; (4) solar commercialization: increses of more than 30% are sought, with focus on industrial process heat; (5) coal conversion: ERA estimates they'll deny 80% of exemption requests from industry; (6) petroleum: r and d cut in program likely, with concentration to stay on oil shale technology; (7) regulatory enforcement: new audits planned--on actions other than Arab oil embargo violations; (8) coal commercialization: loan guarantees planned to support high-Btu coal gas plants; (9) ERA fuels regulation: budget cut seen, by up to 40%; (10) ERA's utility systems: wants 60% funding increase to push National Energy Act goals; (11) policy and evaluation: 60% increase requested and cited as bare minimum of need; (12) coal loan guarantee program: DOE wants revolving fund; and (13) enhanced oil and gas: RA seeks twenty-fold funding increase for commercialization activities. DOE's budget submission primarily includes two proposed budget levels--current and minimum. The current level would continue existing programs but allow for no new major initiatives. The minimum level is that level which program managers believe is the bare minimum needed to keep the program going without severe setbacks.

• OSTI ID: 6470166
• Journal Information: Inside DOE; (United States), Journal Name: Inside DOE; (United States); ISSN IDOED
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290500* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Research
Development
Demonstration
& Commercialization
293000 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Policy
Legislation
& Regulation
294000 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Fossil Fuels
BUDGETS
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
COAL
COMMERCIALIZATION
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FINANCIAL INCENTIVES
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