mr. chairman , this is a vital bill for the future of our country , and this bill provides a very balanced approach to research in the scientific areas and to energy development and , indeed , renewable energy as well as vital water projects and infrastructure for this country to keep us economically sound . 
i would particularly like to commend the chairman and the staff in working with both sides here on this bill . 
it could do more if the resources were available ; but given that they are not , we are making the best , i think , of what we have . 
i would like to single out the energy supply and conservation account which funds renewable energy , energy efficiency , nuclear energy , nondefense environment , safety and health programs and energy conservation . 
these are funded at $ 1.7 billion . 
over $ 360 million is provided for hydrogen and fuel cell research . 
this funding supports and expands the president 's hydrogen initiative and promotes the freedom car project . 
hydrogen is the fuel source of the future and funding in this bill moves us closer to that goal . 
thirdly , the committee recommends $ 3.6 billion for the office of science , an increase of $ 203 million over the budget request . 
additional funds are provided for priority work on advanced scientific computing , high energy physics and operation of user facilities . 
lastly , office of science funding provides for the basic building blocks of science and is the gateway to future scientific breakthroughs . 
we must keep america 's scientific knowledge strong and on the cutting edge . 
advanced scientific computing allows the u.s. to keep up with the rest of the world . 
we can not allow other countries to surpass the u.s. 's knowledge . 
i commend the chairman and i urge the passage of the bill . 
