ENERGY DEPARTMENT
The Department of Energy (DOE) is an executive agency of the federal government. It was
created in response to the early 1970s energy
shortages, long lines at the gas pumps, and rising
prices to name a few. Its many duties include the
administration of federal energy policies and
functions, research and development (R&D) of
energy technology, marketing of federally pro-
duced power, promotion of energy conserva-
tion, oversight of the NUCLEAR WEAPONS
program, regulation of energy production and
consumption, and collection and analysis of
energy-related data. The department’s web site
can be found at www.energy.gov.
The DOE was created in 1977 under the
Department of Energy Organization Act (42
U.S.C.A. § 7131). The act brought together all
major federal energy responsibilities into one
cabinet-level department. The DOE divides
itself into three major programs, or divisions:
energy programs, weapons/waste clean-up pro-
grams, and science and technology programs. It
also oversees five power administrations and
includes the Federal Energy Regulatory Com-
mission. Many of the department’s research,
development, testing, and production activities
are performed by contractors who operate gov-
ernment-owned facilities.
Office of the Secretary
The secretary of energy provides overall
leadership for the department, decides major
