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[1/16] Thread of science highlights from the huge FY21 spending / pandemic relief / energy policy bill that Congress is planning to vote on this week. Full text here: https://rules.house.gov/sites/democrats.rules.house.gov/files/BILLS-116HR133SA-RCP-116-68.pdf All the explanatory text in one file here: https://www.aip.org/sites/default/files/aipcorp/images/fyi/pdf/fy21-spending-bill-final-explanatory-statements.pdf
[2/16] First off, here's the FY21 budgets for selected science agencies. Except for the @NNSANews surge, most agencies see flat budgets or moderate increases. There's a few surprises, such as higher-than expected amounts for @USGS and @DoDCTO programs:
![[2/16] First off, here's the FY21 budgets for selected science agencies. Except for the @NNSANews surge, most agencies see flat budgets or moderate increases. There's a few surprises, such as higher-than expected amounts for @USGS and @DoDCTO programs:](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EpzC9OsXUAYXOVp.png "[2/16] First off, here's the FY21 budgets for selected science agencies. Except for the @NNSANews surge, most agencies see flat budgets or moderate increases. There's a few surprises, such as higher-than expected amounts for @USGS and @DoDCTO programs:")
[3/16] Another look at the data that makes clear where most of the additional money is going:
![[3/16] Another look at the data that makes clear where most of the additional money is going:](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EpzF1EPXUAA9lTQ.png "[3/16] Another look at the data that makes clear where most of the additional money is going:")
[4/16] The @doescience budget increases 0.4% to just over $7 billion, with most of its main program offices likewise receiving level funding. Notably, though, Congress directs the agency to increase spending on quantum information science by at least 26% to $245 million.
[5/16] Budgets for @ARPAE & DOE's nuclear, fossil, & renewable energy programs are essentially flat. One item of interest is funding for the proposed Versatile Test Reactor is cut by 30% to $45M & DOE is directed to submit a plan for building it via a public-private partnership.
[6/16] The @NSF budget increases 3% to $8.5 billion, with the additional resources directed to research and education programs. All major facilities under construction are funded at the requested level.
[7/16] Commenting on the recent collapse of the Arecibo telescope, Congress directs NSF to report within 60 days on "the process for determining whether to establish comparable technology at the site, along with any any associated cost estimates." @SaveTheAO
![[7/16] Commenting on the recent collapse of the Arecibo telescope, Congress directs NSF to report within 60 days on "the process for determining whether to establish comparable technology at the site, along with any any associated cost estimates." @SaveTheAO](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EpywWk4XEAQJ3aM.png "[7/16] Commenting on the recent collapse of the Arecibo telescope, Congress directs NSF to report within 60 days on \"the process for determining whether to establish comparable technology at the site, along with any any associated cost estimates.\" @SaveTheAO")
[8/16] @NASA's science budget increases by 1% to $7.2 billion, excluding the transfer of biological & physical sciences research from the human exploration directorate. Congress rejects the proposed termination of the WFIRST and SOFIA telescopes and two earth science satellites.
[9/16] The bill enables NASA to not use the SLS rocket to launch the Europa Clipper mission under certain conditions. NASA prefers to use a smaller rocket that is hundreds of millions of dollars cheaper: https://spacenews.com/white-house-asks-congress-to-remove-europa-clipper-sls-requirement/
[10/16] @NIH's base budget gets a $1.25 billion boost, the sixth year in a row it has received an increase of over $1 billion.
[11/16] Shifting gears to COVID-19 relief, the bill does not include funds for addressing disruptions to research across agencies, as proposed by the RISE Act: https://www.aip.org/fyi/federal-science-bill-tracker/116th/research-investment-secure-economy-act
[12/16] It does however include an extra $1.25 billion for NIH to "prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus, domestically or internationally."
[13/16] The package includes a host of additional bills, including a compromise version of the House and Senate's energy bills advanced this year. Section-by-summary of the final energy provisions here: https://www.energy.senate.gov/2020/12/murkowski-manchin-house-colleagues-reach-agreement-on-energy-package-for-year-end-appropriations-bill
[14/16] The bill requires a significant phase down in HFCs, creates new DOE programs for removing CO2 from the atmosphere & reducing emissions from non-power industrial sectors, and authorizes the advanced reactor demo program established last year by appropriators.
[15/16] One item that has not yet received much attention is that the bill significantly updates policy for DOE fusion research, including by authorizing a public-private fusion energy development program that uses milestone payments.
[16/16] More coverage to come tomorrow!
