STUDY OF COMPLEX CARBOHYDRATES

Chairman HATFIELD. The Senator from Georgia?

Senator MATTINGLY. Mr. Chairman, I have three questions I would like to submit for the record. I won't take the time to ask them, but I would appreciate it if Dr. Trivelpiece could provide a reply for the record.

Chairman HATFIELD. The Senator will have additional questions to submit to you for your response.

[The questions and answers follow:]

QUESTIONS SUBMITTED BY SENATOR MATTINGLY

Question: Dr. Trivelpiece: Does the Department still have plans to go forward with development of a university research center or centers for the study of complex carbohydrates. could you please give us some sort of timetable? If not, why not?

If so,

Answer: We place high priority on increased support for the study of complex carbohydrates. However, in view of the President's initiative to reduce deficit spending, coupled with uncertainties resulting from the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings legislation, we are unable to develop any meaningful timetable for the establishment of these research centers at this time.

Question: Dr. Trivelpiece, would you be kind enough to tell us how the plan for the Atlanta University Center Science and Technology is progressing, and whether the Department is satisfied with the development of this program?

Answer: The Office of Energy Research provided $250,000 in FY 1985 to Atlanta University to support the preparation of the conceptual design for the proposed Graduate Center. This plan has been completed and submitted to us. The University has also proceeded with the development of a detailed architectural and engineering plan for the Center, and I am pleased to report that over two-thirds of this plan has now been completed. The overall design and plan for the building is well conceived and will give the University flexible laboratory and support space. Good progress has also been made by the University in seeking private funding for the new building and commitments have been received for over $5 million of private support. We believe that the new building will significantly expand the capabilities of Atlanta University faculty and students to make direct contributions to energy-related research and to basic science.

The FY 1986 Appropriation provided $4,500,000 for the construction of a Graduate Center for Science and Technology at the University. This amount was reduced to $4,300,000 in accordance with the Gramm-Rudman legislation. However, the Administration has proposed that these funds be rescinded as part of the overall effort to reduce the Federal deficit. The ultimate disposition of these funds will, therefore, await a decision by Congress.

Question: Madame Secretary, we are all aware of the urgent need to control federal spending and to reduce the deficit. However, in looking at the request for Solar Thermal Energy Systems and for Biofuel Energy Systems, it would appear that we are making some pretty drastic cuts which will threaten the future development of several promising technologies. The request of $15.3 million for Solar Thermal is only 45% of the 1985 level and the $12.2 million for Biofuels is 41% of 1985's spending. I am concerned that if we pull federal support from the basic and high-risk research and development of such technologies as the entrained pyrolysis thermochemical conversion process that we will substantially increase the time before we realize the full benefits of biofuels. I do think that we can obtain a greatly increased level of private and state support in these two areas.

But if we pull the plug in such an abrupt manner, we may well discourage rather than encourage such support. I understand that the Biofuels program would need to be funded at about $23.0 million and the Solar Thermal at around $21.0 million if we are not going to suffer adverse impacts in ongoing projects. Even those figures; however, reflect a reduction in funding from current levels. Would you share your thoughts with us a little more fully on this matter.

Answer: As I have stated before, deficit reduction is an economic imperative. The Department, recognizing this fact, has proposed a budget which focuses efforts on those technologies which have the greatest long term promise for contributing to the nation's energy supply mix. In both Solar Thermal and Biofuels, we have followed that philosophy.