The Department of Energy (DOE) provides the framework for a comprehensive and balanced national energy plan through the coordination and administration of the energy functions of the Federal Government. The Department is responsible for the research, development, and demonstration of energy technology; the marketing of Federal power; energy conservation; the nuclear weapons program; regulation of energy production and use; pricing and allocation; and a central energy data collection and analysis program. Of primary concern to the Department are the promotion of consumer interests and the encouragement of competition in the energy industries, as well as the protection of the Nation's environment and the health and safety of its citizens. The Department of Energy was established by the Department of Energy Organization Act, approved August 4, 1977 (91 Stat. 569; 42 U.S.C. 7131), and effective October 1, 1977, pursuant to Executive Order 12009 of September 13, 1977. The act consolidated the major Federal energy functions into one Cabinet-level Department, transferring to DOE all the responsibilities of the Energy Research and Development Administration; the Federal Energy Administration; the Federal Power Commission; and the Alaska, Bonneville, Southeastern, and Southwestern Power Administrations, formerly components of the Department of the Interior, as well as the power marketing functions of the Department of the Interior's Bureau of Reclamation. Also transferred to DOE were certain functions of the Interstate Commerce Commission and the Departments of Commerce, Housing and Urban Development, the Navy, and the Interior. The Secretary, Deputy Secretary, and Under Secretary are the three principal officers of the Department. They are responsible for the overall planning, direction, and control of departmental activities. Supporting DOE Office of the Secretary SECRETARY The Secretary of Energy directs and supervises the administration of the Department, decides major energy policy issues, and acts as the principal energy adviser to the President. The Secretary is the principal spokesman for the Department. DEPUTY SECRETARY The Deputy Secretary assists the Secretary in representing the Department before Congress and the public and supervises administrative and general support functions of Department-wide scope. The Deputy Secretary also has primary responsibility for overseeing the Economic Regulatory Administration and the Energy Information Administration. in matters of Department-wide scope are crosscutting staff offices, including the offices of the Assistant Secretaries for Policy and Evaluation, Intergovernmental and Institutional Relations, and International Affairs; the General Counsel; the Controller; the Inspector General; the Director of Administration; and the Director of Procurement and Contracts Management. Programs requiring large budget outlays are the responsibility of the Director of Energy Research and the five program Assistant Secretaries (Energy Technology, Resource Applications, Conservation and Solar Applications, Environment, and Defense Programs). The Department's organization also includes the Economic Regulatory Administration, the Energy Information Administration, and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, which is an independent regulatory organization within the Department. In addition to headquarters' components, the Department has an extensive field structure which plays an integral part in the implementation and management of departmental projects and programs. UNDER SECRETARY The Under Secretary assists the Secretary in overall departmental program management and specifically oversees DOE programs requiring major budget outlays, including conservation and solar applications, energy research, energy technology, resource applications, environment, and defense programs. The Under Secretary also assists the Deputy Secretary in administrative matters of Department-wide scope. SPECIAL ASSISTANT The Special Assistant, an aide to the Secretary, Deputy Secretary, and Under Secretary, is the liaison officer with the White House and performs special projects as assigned. |