The Department of Energy is best known for maintaining the U.S. nuclear-weapons stockpile through the semi-autonomous National Nuclear Security Administration and for operating the network of national laboratories. It also funds basic and applied research in physics and energy technology, manages the cleanup of Cold War nuclear sites, and sets efficiency standards for appliances and equipment.
Open the interactive page for DOE →Created byDepartment of Energy Organization Act, August 4, 1977 (Pub. L. 95-91, 91 Stat. 565)
Head appointed42 U.S.C. § 7131: there shall be at the head of the Department a Secretary of Energy, who shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. No fixed term (PAS)
Removal standardno statutory removal protection — removable at will (Myers v. United States, 272 U.S. 52 (1926))
Funded underEnergy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act
Congressional oversightHouse Committee on Energy and Commerce; House Committee on Armed Services (nuclear-weapons activities) · Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources; Senate Committee on Armed Services (nuclear-weapons activities)
Inspector generalDOE OIG (PAS IG under the IG Act, 5 U.S.C. § 403(a))
Judicial reviewAPA § 702 suits in district court; Administrative Procedure Act review of efficiency-standard and other rulemaking, 5 U.S.C. § 706
Comment on proposed energy-efficiency standards and other rules during the public-comment period at regulations.gov; intervene in or comment on grid and pipeline proceedings before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission at ferc.gov; vote for President and Senate.
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