By Nukewatch Staff
Michel Lee of the Council on Intelligent Energy and Conservation Policy and Promoting Health and Sustainable Energy recently shared a synopsis of data from the U.S. Congressional Research Service’s report on the U.S. Department of Energy’s research and development funding history.
The data shows that a total of $164.55 billion (representing 71.8% of federal R&D) was allocated to nuclear energy and fossil fuels between 1948 and 2018, compared to $29.35 billion (12.8%) invested in all types of identified renewable (“wind, solar, biomass, geothermal, hydro”) combined. Efficiency technologies were given an even smaller funding share. From 2009 to 2018, renewables received $9.37 billion, fossil fuels received $9.98 billion, and nuclear received $13.71 billion. In total, from 1948-2018, renewables received $29.35 billion, fossil fuels received $54.96 billion, and nuclear received $109.59 billion. Over that same period, as a percentage of total share of DOE energy technology funding, renewables received 12.8%, fossil fuels received 24%, and nuclear received 47.8%. That, in 71 years, only $29.35 billion has been invested in researching and developing renewable energy options while more than three times as much has been allocated to nuclear, truly illustrates the national priority. — U.S. Congressional Research Service Report, 7-5700, RS22858, June 18, 2018
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