Bush budget boosts nuclear, coal, science

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Research into producing electricity from low-emission coal and nuclear plants saw big funding boosts in the 2009 budget request submitted by the U.S. Energy Department on Monday, along with basic energy sciences.

The 2009 budget proposed by the White House -- which requires congressional approval -- includes $25 billion in discretionary budget authority for the Energy Department, up nearly 5 percent from 2008.

Research into cutting heat-trapping emissions from coal-burning power plants would receive $648 million -- the biggest request in more than 25 years, and funding to encourage building new nuclear power plants was up substantially.

U.S. Energy Secretary Sam Bodman said the funds will allow the department to "continue to lay the foundation for a clean, safe, secure and reliable energy future for all Americans."

Democrats criticized the White House for cutting funding for low-income energy assistance, as well as a popular program to help poor families winterize their houses.

Rep. Ed Markey, Massachusetts Democrat, said the budget supports "dirty, dangerous fuels" like coal that could contribute to global warming.

Funds for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP, fell 22 percent to $2 billion.

Sen. Jeff Bingaman, chairman of the Senate Energy Committee, said it was "completely wrongheaded" to slash funding for weatherization, after seeing funds fall to $59 million versus $285 million in 2008. Some 97,000 homeowners used the program in 2006 and 55,000 homes used it in 2007.

"I will work vigorously to reverse this decision," Bingaman said.