The Department of Energy Organization Act, which created DOE, was enacted in 1977 and DOE officially came into existence in October of that year. That law brought together for the first time, not only most of the government’s energy programs, but also science and technology programs and defense responsibilities that included the design, construction, and testing of nuclear weapons. Over its history, DOE has shifted its emphasis and focus as the energy and security needs of the Nation have changed.

Today, DOE stands at the forefront of helping the Nation meet our energy, scientific, environmental, and national security goals. These include developing and deploying new energy technologies, reducing our dependence on foreign energy sources, protecting our nuclear weapons stockpile, and ensuring that America remains competitive in the global marketplace. To help achieve these goals, President Bush has launched two key initiatives: the American Competitiveness Initiative (ACI) and the Advanced Energy Initiative (AEI). The President launched these initiatives recognizing that science, technology, and engineering hold the answers to many of the critical challenges our world faces.

These new initiatives to spur scientific innovation and technology development expand DOE’s continuing support for the competitive energy markets, both domestically and internationally, and of policies that facilitate continued private investment in the energy sector. In addition, DOE supports the demonstration and deployment of energy technologies through collaborative efforts with the private sector and public sector entities.

To help ensure that today's brightest students become tomorrow's scientific leaders, President Bush launched the ACI. This initiative increases investment in research and development, strengthens science and math education for America’s youth, and encourages entrepreneurship and technology discovery. The goal of this initiative is to invest in our next generation of scientists, engineers, and educators so America can remain at the forefront of innovation and successfully compete in the 21st Century global marketplace.

AEI seeks to improve our energy security and reduce our dependence on foreign oil by changing the ways we power our cars, homes, and businesses. This goal can be achieved by accelerating the research, development, and deployment of clean energy technologies to diversify our Nation’s energy mix. AEI directs funds for the advancement of renewable energy technologies such as biomass, wind, and solar energy and continuing investment in hydrogen research and development. Additionally, to tap the Nation’s abundant coal reserves, AEI accelerates the development of clean coal technology including building a near-zero atmospheric emissions coal plant. Another component of AEI is the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership, a comprehensive nuclear energy strategy that will enable the expansion of nuclear energy (free of air emissions) worldwide in a clean, safe, and affordable manner.

As the steward of the Nation’s nuclear weapons stockpile, DOE is responsible for maintaining nuclear deterrents and leading the international nuclear nonproliferation efforts in a world where terrorism is a real threat to national security and world stability. DOE is also responsible for the safe cleanup of the environmental legacy of the Nation's nuclear weapons program and government-sponsored nuclear energy research. This includes mitigating the risks and hazards associated with disposing of nuclear materials and deactivating and decommissioning facilities no longer needed to support the Department's mission. DOE strives to protect its workers and the public through promulgation and enforcement of nuclear safety and worker health and safety rules.

By implementing DOE’s Strategic Plan, we are enhancing America’s energy security and sustaining our economic vitality.

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