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U.S. Department of Energy

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Last Updated: • Article History
Quick Facts
Date:
1977 - present
Areas Of Involvement:
energy conversion
renewable energy
pollution control
Related People:
Rick Perry
Steven Chu
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News •

Trump’s Energy Secretary Baselessly Blames Spain’s Power Outage on Renewables • May 1, 2025, 7:32 AM ET (Scientific American)
Senior scientist Yi Shouliang leaves US Department of Energy for China • Apr. 18, 2025, 6:56 AM ET (South China Morning Post)
US judge blocks Energy Department from slashing federal research funding • Apr. 16, 2025, 7:28 AM ET (Reuters)
Universities sue over Energy Department research funding cuts • Apr. 15, 2025, 4:25 AM ET (NBC)
Trump signs executive orders to boost coal, a reliable but polluting energy source • Apr. 8, 2025, 10:58 PM ET (AP)

U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), executive division of the U.S. federal government responsible for administering national energy policy. Established in 1977, it promotes energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy. Its national security programs serve to develop and oversee nuclear-energy resources. Its Office of Environmental Management oversees waste management and cleanup activities at inactive facilities. The Fossil Energy Office develops policies and regulations concerning the use of natural gas, coal, and electric energy. Its regional power administrations transmit electric power produced at federal hydroelectric projects.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Jeff Wallenfeldt.