Over the last several years, there has been yet another thrust of objectives that seek energy independence for the nation. Starting in the Bush administration, federal spending on energy sciences and technologies increased. Academe and state and local governments, as well as government contractors, have been engaged to solve challenging scientific and programmatic problems.

The Obama administration has since made energy one of its three top priorities. But the new administration didn’t get all the increases that they requested in the GFY2010 budget for energy.

• How does energy funding flow?
• Did the stimulus money make a difference?
• How much will go to contractors?
• Which technologies are losing ground?
• What are the most promising opportunities?