"Budget Spares Energy Research, Despite Hits to Other Programs"

"President Obama’s budget, released Monday, essentially treads water on energy and the environment, trying to maintain momentum for alternative energy research even as it cuts deeply into some environmental protection programs.

The president once again asks Congress to do away with billions in tax breaks for fossil fuel interests, over the outcries of the oil and gas industry.

The request deals with policies that involve some of the sharpest disagreements between the administration and Congress, which will debate it line by line.

Spending at the Department of Interior would remain at roughly the same level as past years, but with a major increase, to $358 million, for environmental and safety enforcement for offshore oil and gas drilling, to be offset largely with royalties and fees from oil companies."

John M. Broder reports for the New York Times February 14, 2011.

SEE ALSO:

"Interior's Budget Request Would Boost Conservation, Increase OCS Oversight" (Greenwire)

"Obama’s Shout-Out for Energy" (Green/NYT)

"Fostering Progress on a Finite (and Budget Strapped) Planet" (Dot Earth)

"EPA Budget Proposal Focuses on Air and Climate Rules, Cuts Water Grants" (Greenwire)

"Obama's DOE Budget Request Promotes Clean Tech, Slashes Fossil Energy" (Greenwire)

"Obama 2012 Budget Provides $8 Billion For Clean Energy" (Reuters)

"New GOP Spending Plan Takes Chainsaw to EPA" (Mother Jones)

"Obama Administration Proposes 'Tough Choices' EPA Budget for 2012" (ENS)

Agency-by-Agency Budget Reports (Washington Post)