The+Department+of+Energy


 * __Current Leaders of the Department of Energy__**

Steven Chu- Secretary of Energy

__Other Leaders__ Thomas D'Agostino- Secretary of Nuclear Security and Administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration James R. O' Connor- Chief of Staff Ines Triay- Secretary of Environmental


 * The Deputy Secretary of Energy and the Secretary for Science positions are currently vacant.


 * __The Department of Energy's MIssion Statement__**

"The Department of Energy's overarching mission is to advance the national, economic, and energy security of the United States; to promote scientific and technological innovation in support of that mission; and to ensure the environmental cleanup of the national nuclear weapons complex."

They accomplish this mission through energy security, nuclear security, scientific and innovation, environmental responsibility, and management excellence.

__**The Budget of the Department of Energy**__

Since 2001, $183 billion has been devoted to this department because America's strength and prosperity is build on the reliability of energy resources. Because our nation's economy is driven by energy, that is why so much money is put into it. The money has been put toward helping our nation's economic growth, providing for national security, and taking care of the energy challenges we face. The 2009 fiscal budget required $25 billion dollars in order to make the growing demand for energy more affordable, clean, and reliable for the public. It also helps with increasing the quality of life and the health of Americans with scientific breakthroughs that have major impacts.

__**History of the Department of Energy**__

On August 4th, 1977, President Jimmy Carter signed the U.S. Department of Energy Act because of the energy Crisis in the 1970's. They realized that they needed to unify their energy planning with the government. They combined energy-related programs such as the Federal Energy Administration, the Energy Research and Development Administration, and the Federal Power Commission into a single presidential cabinet-level department. This department was responsible for long-term, high-risk research and development of energy technology, federal power marketing, energy conservation, energy regulatory programs, a central energy data collection and analysis program, and nuclear weapons research, development and production. During the Cold War the DOE's job was to create Nuclear Weapons and such, however, when the war ended in the 1990's their goals changed and focused more of the environmental remediation. In order to minimize risks and hazards produced by the nuclear weapon production, they built the Office of Environmental Restoration and Waste Management in 1989. In 1994 they built 5 DOE Field offices to oversee projects for the environment, the first in over 30 years.


 * **__Current Issues of the Department of Energy__** ||
 * Some of the current issues of the Department of Energy are Biomass, Coal Energy, Energy Efficiency, Conserving Energy, Energy Recovery, etc.

**Topic:** __==__Finding and Using Renewable Energy Sources__== __ Article 1: **US Government Furthers Its Commitment To Invest in Renewable Energy R&D**

By: Kevin Eber, NREL [RenewableEnergyWorld.com] May 5th, 2009

__Summery:__ The Advanced Research Projects Agency- Energy was launched by President Obama last week to invest in research, development, and science education. It’s first funding was $400 million donated by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The ARPA-E will only fund project relating to new technology innovations and science inventions. All existing technologies will be handled and funded by the DOE and its currently existing agencies such as the office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. The mission of the project is to help with “ reducing imported energy; reducing energy-related emissions, including greenhouse gases; and improving energy efficiency.” Also President Obama announced that the DOE will be investing $777 million into building 46 new Energy Frontier Research Centers across America. Each build will have a different focus such as renewable and carbon-neutral energy sources, solar energy, biofuels, advanced nuclear energy, clean and efficient combustion, energy storage, and many others. These centers will be built at universities, laboratories, nonprofit organizations, and private firms.

Article 2: **Can Clean Energy Revive Manufacturing?**

By: Kate Galbraith [New York Times] May 4th, 2009

__Summery__: In the future it is expected that the United States will be the largest market for technology. Now many renewable manufactures see this in the future and want to set up operations. Even though the manufacturing industry continues to shrink, there is a belief that the spur of renewable energy could revive this economic downfall. One of the types of factories that are blossoming now is the solar-panel. Like any other business, some of the important factors for these manufactures are the work force, money, and land. Competition among the states is very intense and all the states hope to get into the game.

Article 3:

John Sawyer: A Bright Future for Renewable Fuels
By: John and Michael Sawyer [The Buffalo News] May 5th, 2009

__Summery:__ President Obama feels that we need to create more jobs in America by investing in renewable energy and technologies. By doing this is will create more than 40 new types of jobs from engineers to managers and even farmers. In the town of Shelby, New York they environmentally and economically producing energy of the future with ethanol, high-quality distiller grains, crude corn oil, and food-grade carbon dioxide. So far this plan has been working, adding thousands of jobs and billions of dollars to the federal and state governments. Also it has cost them fewer resources to produce the energy than ever before. New York has also been using biomass such as waste products, fast growing trees, and corn stalks as renewable fuels. It has reduced greenhouse extraction by nearly 60% and it holds potential for even great climate benefits.

__**My Suggestion to President Obama:**__

I feel that President Obama should continue to invest to renewable energy. It's the best way for our nation's economy to recover from the recent downfall. By investing billions of dollars into this fund we are not only adding new jobs to the pubic but coming up with new ways to make energy cost less. Also it will allow us to use our energy more efficiently and we will waste less energy. The Department of Energy is with out a doubt the most important department in our nation. We are the backbone and the strength of our nation because, whether we want to admit it or not, we are completely dependant upon our sources of fuel. I feel that Obama should continue to invest money in building new offices in order to encourage the research of new technologies. Its the twenty first century and we need to continue with the goal of advancing our nation and proving that our manufacturing companies can survive this economic hardship. Hopefully with the investments in clean energy, it will cause our nation the thrive with success. ||  ||