Research and Special Programs Administration Budget

Research and Special Programs Administration

Overview: The Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA) serves as a Departmental resource for multimodal research, and efforts to improve the safe transportation of hazardous material and cargo by all modes. In FY 2004, RSPA's focus is on reducing the amount of oil or other hazardous liquids spilled from pipelines; reducing hazardous materials incidents; coordinating and advancing transportation research technology and education activities to promote innovative transportation solutions; managing the Department's transportation-related emergency response and recovery responsibilities; and promoting the development of a hydrogen fuel infrastructure and standards for hydrogen vehicle fuel systems. RSPA also provides planning and training grants to states and Indian tribes to improve hazardous materials emergency preparedness. The total RSPA request of $132 million in 2004 represents an increase of $9.6 million, or 8 percent, from 2003.

	2002 Actual	2003 1/ Request	2004 1/ Request
Research and Special Programs Administration Budget (Dollars In Millions)
	2002 Actual	2003 1/ Request
Research and Special Programs	40	44	51
Emergency Preparedness Grants	14	14	14
Pipeline Safety	58	64	67
TOTAL	112	123	132
1/ Excludes estimated accrual payments for civil service retirement and health benefits.

FY 2004 Budget

Hazardous Materials Safety Program: The FY 2004 budget requests $25 million, 8 percent ($1.9 million) above FY 2003, to reduce serious hazardous materials (HAZMAT) incidents, with a target of no more than 509 in 2004. This additional funding will enhance RSPA's ability to ensure that HAZMAT regulations are followed by the thousands of new HAZMAT shippers and carriers that came under RSPA's regulations in 1998, and also provides for early, pro-active participation in the safety oversight of containment systems that will be used to ship spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste to Yucca Mountain, Nevada, and Skull Valley, Utah.

Emergency Preparedness Grants: The FY 2004 request provides $14 million, the same level of funding as FY 2003, for states to train hazardous materials responders and improve response plans.

Research and Technology: For RSPA's research programs, the budget requests a total of $3 million, the same level as FY 2003, to improve DOT's Research and Development program and to promote development of a safe hydrogen fuels infrastructure so that alternative fuel vehicles can be deployed commercially.

Emergency Transportation Program: The FY 2004 budget requests $4 million, a 75 percent increase ($1.6 million) over FY 2003. This increase is key to preparing the Nation's transportation system to aid people and property harmed by natural disasters or weapons of mass destruction through rigorous training and advance preparation, and through the operation of a central Crisis Management Center so the Department can make timely and informed decisions to respond to any transportation disaster. As a result of September 11, 2001, the FY 2004 budget proposes additional funding to ensure that the Department can timely communicate and immediately respond not only to transportation disasters caused by nature, but also to disasters caused intentionally, such as terrorist acts.

Pipeline Safety: The budget requests $67 million, 5 percent ($3.2 million) above 2003, to hold serious pipeline incidents to no more than 310 in 2004 and to reduce hazardous liquids spilled in pipelines to a level that equates to no more than 2.2 teaspoons for every 100 gallons shipped 3,000 miles coast-tocoast.