Case's House Appropriations Committee Approves $56 Billion FY 2023 Energy and Water Funding Measure

Press Release

Congressman Ed Case (HI-01) has announced approval by his U.S. House Committee on Appropriations of another key measure for Hawai"i that is among the twelve bills to collectively fund the federal government for Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 (commencing October 1, 2022).

"Our $56 billion Energy and Water Appropriations bill supports the deployment of clean energy technologies to fight climate change and reduce energy prices," said Case.

"It also provides funding for flood and waterway projects through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), to include key areas in Hawai"i like the Ala Wai, Waikīkī and Kalaeloa."

The bill's discretionary funding level is $56.3 billion, an increase of $3.4 billion over the FY 2022 enacted level.

"This bill makes the long term investments needed to help lower energy costs by strengthening America's energy independence," said Case.

At a time when our country is facing rising gas prices, the bill invests in an all-of-the-above energy strategy that leverages clean solar, wind, geothermal and hydroelectric technologies while still using our domestic resources, such as the Strategic Petroleum Reserves, to ease current supply and price pressures. Specifically, there is $16 billion included for energy and science innovation to support our diversification of energy sources away from foreign adversaries, create new clean energy technology jobs and ultimately save consumers money. This is a $2 billion increase over the FY 2022 enacted level.

The bill also includes Case's request for a Member-designated Community Funding Project (CPF) to fund the Hawai"i State Energy Office's Clean Energy Wayfinders Program. That groundbreaking program fosters engagement in local clean energy and energy efficiency policy, programs and projects and in training and deploying the next generation of energy workers in the state.

"As our communities transition to more and more sources of renewable energy, it is critical that we also transition our current energy workforce and train the new generation to take over," said Case. "The Hawai"i State Energy Office, in conjunction with multiple local partners and stakeholders, has worked tirelessly to deploy their Wayfinders Program, which redefines what community engagement in the energy sector looks like by involving local workers from the start. This funding will secure their much-needed next steps in ensuring that this program continues to grow and become available to more Hawai"i residents."

The House's CPF rules require that each project must have demonstrated community support, must be fully disclosed by the requesting Member, and is subject to audit by the independent Government Accountability Office.

The bill also provides $8.9 billion for the USACE for its civil works programs. Case's committee provided $160 million for the USACE's investigations account, which funds studies for projects in Hawai"i like the Ala Wai Flood Zone so it can be evaluated for safety and flood risks. It also provided $5.1 billion for the USACE's operation and maintenance account, which supports ongoing USACE work in Hawai"i, such as the Barbers Point Deep Draft Harbor.

"As we in Hawai"i brace each year for "hurricane season' in the Central Pacific, this bill will assist the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) with funds to help protect our island communities from severe storms," said Case. "My Committee's investment in the USACE will also help revive our water infrastructure, especially our harbors, to help keep transportation costs low. This funding will supplement state funding to help maintain our harbors in Hawai"i, which are a critical lifeline to and from the world as we receive and distribute more than 90 percent of all of the goods through our harbors."

Other programs and provisions requested and secured by Case include:

* $10 million and report language for the Energy Transitions Initiative (ETI). This program, which aims to advance self-reliant island and remote communities through the development of resilient energy systems, helps recipients who face unique energy challenges due to their remote location, fossil fuel dependency and limited access to affordable infrastructure improvements. This funding supports two ETI projects in Hawai"i - electrical infrastructure resiliency in Honolulu and alternative and autonomous mobility options for Kaua"i.
* $370 million for weatherization activities, which will increase energy efficiency of over 40,000 low-income homes nationwide. In Hawai"i, these funds are used to help low-income households reduce their energy costs by providing energy conservation education and funding weatherization measures.
* $4 billion for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, an increase of $800 million above FY 2022 level. This funding will go to support many of the renewable energy projects underway across the State of Hawai"i
* $1.6 billion for Advanced Research Projects -- Energy (ARPA-E) and High Energy Physics, which directly supports groundbreaking research at the University of Hawai"i aimed at rapidly developing energy technologies that are capable of significantly changing the energy sector to address the nation's critical economic, environmental and energy security challenges.
* $205 million for Cybersecurity, Energy Security and Emergency Response. This funding provides for efforts to secure the nation's energy infrastructure against all hazards, reduce the risks of and impacts from cybersecurity events, and assist with restoration activities.

Other provisions requested and secured by Case include:

* Encouraging the USACE to give special consideration to vulnerable coastal communities in their flood risk planning assistance, with specific direction to the Native Hawaiian community.
* Directing the Department of Energy to conduct and provide a report on their plan to recruit more minority populations, such as Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiians and Asian Americans to job positions in the department.
* Continuing Congressional support for a previously directed report to examine benefits of dredged materials to non-contiguous states, like Hawai"i.

Case's Appropriations Committee is responsible for allocating some $1.6 trillion in funding to federal government agencies, departments and organizations on an annual basis through twelve separate bills.

The bill now moves onto the full House of Representatives for consideration.

Source