Obama's science boost

From the outset of his bid for the presidency, Barack Obama has promised to make sweeping changes in the areas of energy, science, and climate change; but few could have predicted a year ago how quickly these commitments would be realized and at what scale. By signing the economic stimulus package into law earlier this month, however, the new president has authorized enormous cash infusions into the US's basic research institutes and the Department of Energy, funds that are meant to be spent expeditiously. In particular, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) will receive 10.4 and 3 billion dollars, respectively, which, in the case of the NSF, is equivalent to half of its 2008 budget. While clearly a boon to science, these outlays for basic research have been met with at least some scepticism from lawmakers and the general public. Some would argue, for example, that investments in basic research, while having long-term economic benefits, are inconsistent with a short-term recovery plan. And others even question whether the system is prepared to absorb the windfall, a problem that could be likened to watering a thirsty plant with a fire hose. To the question of fund distribution, acting NIH director Raynard Kington seemed to dispel the notion of a funding overload, explaining that the money is ready to go to some 15,000 previously submitted research proposals that were deemed of merit but which could not be funded under previous budgetary constraints. For its part, the Department of Energy is ready to pour 11 billion of its 50 billion dollar stimulus purse into the construction of a smart grid that would convey renewable energy from sites of production to sites of consumption, all whilst increasing overall efficiency. And there are 6 billion dollars earmarked for investments in renewable energy, such as solar, wind, and biofuels. The cheering from the scientific community over their newfound wealth had not yet subsided when Obama, in his first speech to a joint session of Congress, reaffirmed his commitment to curbing greenhouse gas emissions through a cap-and-trade system. Most Democrats, not surprisingly, stood up in applause — Charles Schumer News focus of New York was even observed to 'high-five' Senate Environment and Public Works Chairwoman Barbara Boxer. And even a few notable Republicans, including Obama's former adversary John McCain, rose to their feet to express solidarity in the fight against global …