Question 9: How much funding is being provided for the Continental Scientific Drilling program in FY 1986 and FY 1987 by (a) the Geosciences subprogram, and (b) all of DOE? Answer: The estimated obligations for the Continental Scientific Drilling program in FY 1986 and FY 1987 are (a) $4.4 and 5.0 million, respectively, for the BES Geosciences subprogram, and (b) an additional $1.0 and $1.3 million, respectively, from the Geothermal Program of DOE. Question 10: What types of instrumentation are being supported by the DOE's University Research Instrumentation program in FY 1986, and what types are expected to be supported in FY 1987? Answer: Although the application review process for the DOE FY 1986 University Research Instrumentation (URI) program announcement has not yet been completed, typical research instrumentation requested by universities include: high mass, high-resolution spectrometers; nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometers; scanning Auger microprobes; laser doppler anemometer systems; and high resolution electron microscopes. Similar equipment was supported by the DOE URI program in FY 1984 and 1985. anticipate supporting such equipment purchases in FY 1987. We On March 5, 1986, Alvin W. Trivelpiece, Director of the Office of Energy Research, appeared before the Science and Technology Subcommittee on Energy Development and Applications regarding the Fiscal Year 1987 budget authorization request for energy research science. Following that hearing, you submitted written questions for our response to supplement the record. Enclosed are the answers to those questions, which also have been sent directly to the Committee staff. If you have any questions, please have your staff call Ingrid Nelson or Cathy Hamilton on 252-4277. They will be happy to assist. Enclosure Sincerely, Cathy Hamilton Robert G. Rabben Assistant General Counsel RECEIVED COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE POST-HEARING QUESTIONS Relating to the MARCH 5, 1986, HEARING before the SUBCOMMITTEE ON ENERGY DEVELOPMENT AND APPLICATIONS COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES WITNESS: DR. ALVIN W. TRIVELPIECE ERAB RECOMMENDATIONS FOR BASIC ENERGY SCIENCES Question 1: In Volume III of the December 1985 ERAB report "Guidelines for DOE Long Term Civilian Research and Development," the ERAB Long-Range Energy R&D Study Research Subpanel recommended that "[t]he geosciences should receive increased support within the BES programs." Yesterday, the Subcommittee received testimony from representatives of the gas industry recommending that monies be redirected from other parts of the Department's basic research programs to provide for a $35 million Geosciences program. They FY 1987 request for Geosciences is only $16.5 million. How is the Department addressing these concerns that the Geosciences program is seriously underfunded? Answer: Immediately after completion of the ERAB study of long-range energy research, Secretary Herrington asked ERAB to review DOE programs involving the solid earth sciences to help ensure that the R&D investments in this area are appropriate in terms of both the proper role of government and our future energy needs. A special panel has been appointed and the study is now underway. The FY 1987 request for the BES/Geosciences Research activity provides an increase of 16.8% over the FY 1986 funding level which reflects the high priority DOE gives to activities in the area of geosciences. |