DOE Secretary Federico Peña unveiled DOE’s FY99 budget during a press conference February 2. Many of Peña’s comments addressed the department’s support of science and technology investments. Excerpts from his remarks follow.

“Good afternoon. I just returned from the White House, where I had the honor of joining Vice President Gore for an announcement about the President’s budget for science and technology in fiscal year 1999. In his State of the Union address last week, President Clinton emphasized the power of science and technology to revolutionize the world and to help Americans rise to the challenges of the future.

“The President spoke about how we must use science and technology to give the next generation the tools they will need for the 21st century. …the visionary budget the President proposed this morning is historic—historic because it is the first balanced budget to be submitted to Congress in 30 years. But also historic because of the commitment this Administration has made to science and technology.

“Our Departmental budget for fiscal year 1999 reflects that commitment. This budget is about science, technology, and energy for our future….

“…There are four areas that I see as our greatest challenges: (1) ensuring the security and diversity of our nation’s energy resources; (2) keeping our nuclear weapons stockpile safe, secure, and reliable; (3) cleaning up the environmental legacy of the Cold War; and (4) advancing the frontiers of science and technology.

“To meet each of these challenges, we need to renew and reinvigorate our commitment to science, technology, and energy for our future ….

“…The Cold War left us a legacy of environmental contamination and degradation that will be with us for decades. Hundreds of millions of gallons of highly radioactive and toxic waste were generated while we produced the nuclear materials necessary for our national defense. Much of this waste contains long-lived radioactive elements that could pose risks for tens of thousands of years. Cleaning up this waste poses one of our greatest challenges….

“…We also will continue to invest in advanced technologies to clean up sites faster and safer. For example, we have developed a robotic arm that allows scientists to see inside high-level radioactive waste tanks without exposing workers to possible radiation ….

“…Our final challenge is to advance the frontiers of science and technology. Science and technology underlie all of our work at the Department. And we have a proud history of developing many of the innovations in science and technology that have kept U.S. industry on the cutting edge of intense international competition.

“…Tomorrow I will be traveling to Los Alamos National Laboratory with President Clinton. The President chose Los Alamos to amplify his message to the American people that we must continue to invest in science and technology to keep America strong as we enter a new millennium. And, by choosing Los Alamos, the President has made it clear that the Department of Energy will be one of the major contributors of that science, technology, and energy for our future.”