Energy Bill Amendment Boosts LDRD Program

An amendment to the energy modernization bill passed Wednesday by the Senate seeks to boost funding for the Department of Energy’s (DOE) laboratory-directed research and development (LDRD) program, which involves basic science and exploratory research at DOE labs. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) highlighted his amendment in the Energy Policy Modernization Act that eliminates a requirement “that imposed redundant overhead charges” on funding for LDRD. LDRD funding has decreased in recent years, while overhead continues to be charged to its projects. Heinrich’s amendment would prevent laboratory operating contractors from allocating the costs of general overheard to LDRD, which would free up more of the funding to be directed to the research. “By supporting LDRD, our national labs [will] be able to continue using this powerful tool to attract and retain top researchers from around the world to work at the labs,” Heinrich said in a statement. The energy bill, which also includes provisions to enhance the electric grid and promote energy efficiency, passed the Senate by an 85-12 vote and will now move to the House for consideration.