Bill Overview
Title: Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2023
Description: This bill provides FY2023 appropriations for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers civil works projects, the Department of the Interior's Bureau of Reclamation, the Department of Energy (DOE), and independent agencies such as the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The bill provides appropriations for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers civil works projects, including for Investigations, Construction, Mississippi River and Tributaries, Operation and Maintenance, the Regulatory Program, the Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program, Flood Control and Coastal Emergencies, Expenses, the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, and the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Program. The bill provides appropriations to the Department of the Interior for the Central Utah Project and the Bureau of Reclamation. The bill provides appropriations to DOE for energy programs, including Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy; Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response; Electricity; Nuclear Energy; Fossil Energy and Carbon Management; Energy Projects; Naval Petroleum and Oil Shale Reserves; the Strategic Petroleum Reserve; the Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve; the Energy Information Administration; Non-Defense Environmental Cleanup; the Uranium Enrichment Decontamination and Decommissioning Fund; Science; Nuclear Waste Disposal; Technology Transitions; Clean Energy Demonstrations; the Defense Production Act Clean Energy Accelerator; the Advanced Research Projects Agency—Energy; the Title 17 Innovative Technology Loan Guarantee Program; the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program; the Tribal Energy Loan Guarantee Program; Indian Energy Policy and Programs; Departmental Administration; and the Office of the Inspector General. The bill also provides appropriations to DOE for Atomic Energy Defense Activities of the National Nuclear Security Administration, Environmental and Other Defense Activities, and the Power Marketing Administrations. The bill provides appropriations to several independent agencies, including the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The bill also sets forth requirements and restrictions for using funds provided by this and other appropriations acts.
Sponsors: Rep. Kaptur, Marcy [D-OH-9]
Target Audience
Population: individuals dependent on energy and water resources
Estimated Size: 331000000
- The bill impacts the energy sector, which is crucial for electricity, heating, and fuel across the globe, affecting billions of individuals depending on energy supplies for daily life.
- It includes provisions for nuclear energy, fossil energy management, and renewable energy, which influence energy policy and market trends worldwide.
- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers civil works projects and Department of the Interior's activities affect major American water sources like the Mississippi River, which are vital for the Midwestern economy and food production, impacting global food markets.
- Funding for nuclear safety and regulation impacts global nuclear energy practices and safety standards, influencing countries involved in nuclear energy use.
- Global cooperation and contracts in energy and water management are likely influenced by U.S. policy changes, impacting international companies and countries involved in joint ventures or collaborations.
Reasoning
- The policy supports a wide range of energy and water management programs that impact various facets of life, from residential energy costs to industrial energy security.
- The scale of implementation requires significant budgetary considerations and prioritizations, meaning not all projects will have uniform impact immediate. Effects might vary across different communities and over time.
- Given the various sectors funded by this Act, the impact will be distributed across different socio-economic groups; therefore, not everyone will experience the same level of benefit or disadvantage.
- The policy has both direct impacts, such as improved local infrastructure, and indirect impacts, like improved national energy security and potential long-term economic growth.
- Considering that the policy focuses on vital infrastructure improvements, many people may initially experience no direct changes as these projects often take years to yield visible benefits.
Simulated Interviews
Civil Engineer (New Orleans, LA)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe this funding will enhance our flood control projects significantly.
- In the long run, it will improve property values and safety for residents.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Renewable Energy Consultant (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 35 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This bill will likely boost renewable energy projects.
- It's a pivotal step towards a more sustainable future.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 10 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 9 |
Farmer (Midwest)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Investment in the river systems is crucial for water access.
- Improved flood prevention could save us from disastrous seasonal flooding.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 4 |
Tech Industry Worker (Seattle, WA)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Improved energy efficiency funding could lower my utility bills.
- I'm skeptical about how quickly this will reflect in cost changes.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Energy Sector Executive (Houston, TX)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The appropriations Act supports diverse energy solutions, which is positive.
- There may be challenges balancing fossil and renewable energies under new guidelines.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Water Management Specialist (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 33 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The additional funding for the Bureau of Reclamation should help address water shortages.
- I hope the funds will be allocated fairly to critical projects.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Nuclear Safety Officer (Boston, MA)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Funding towards nuclear safety improvements is crucial.
- Maintaining high safety standards should be a priority.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Small Business Owner (Dallas, TX)
Age: 37 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The focus on energy efficiency and renewable energy could help reduce my overhead costs.
- It may take time for local businesses to feel the benefits.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Environmental Lawyer (New York, NY)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The comprehensive approach to energy resources is a step forward.
- Legal frameworks need strengthening to support these initiatives.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Solar Panel Installer (Denver, CO)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Investments in renewable energy will likely increase job opportunities.
- This could lead to a larger client base and more business.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $50000000000 (Low: $48000000000, High: $52000000000)
Year 2: $52000000000 (Low: $50000000000, High: $54000000000)
Year 3: $53000000000 (Low: $51000000000, High: $55000000000)
Year 5: $55000000000 (Low: $53000000000, High: $57000000000)
Year 10: $60000000000 (Low: $58000000000, High: $62000000000)
Year 100: $80000000000 (Low: $78000000000, High: $82000000000)
Key Considerations
- The scope of the bill covers several critical areas including energy security, water management, and environmental conservation.
- The appropriations directly impact American infrastructure, which is fundamental for maintaining economic stability and supporting growth.
- Long-term commitments to renewable and clean energy may influence energy market dynamics and future policy decisions.
- The complexity and scale of the projects funded may result in significant administrative overhead and require effective management to mitigate potential overruns.