Roles
of Principal Federal “Energy” Agencies
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
The USGS, a bureau in the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), focus is on onshore (and state offshore) U.S. energy resources
(pre-development) and the geologic controls of resource abundance, quality,
and location. It produces objective scientific information to inform decisionmakers and directly support the DOI’s Mission of protecting and responsibly managing the Nation’s natural resources. Collectively, this information advances the scientific understanding of energy resources, contributes to plans for a balanced and secure energy future, and facilitates the strategic use and evaluation of resources.
Minerals
Management Service (MMS)
The Minerals Management Service (MMS), a bureau in the U.S. Department of the Interior, is the Federal agency that manages the nation's natural gas, oil and other mineral resources on the outer continental shelf (OCS). The agency also collects, accounts for and disburses more than $8 billion per year in revenues from Federal offshore mineral leases and from onshore mineral leases on Federal and Indian lands.
Bureau
of Land Management (BLM)
The BLM is responsible for managing energy and mineral resources on federal onshore areas. Fluid Minerals: The BLM is responsible for the leasing of Federal oil and gas and geothermal minerals; also responsible for supervising the exploration, development and production operations of these resources on both Federal and Indian lands; and manages helium operations on Federal lands. Solid Minerals: The BLM is responsible for maintaining viable national policies and processes for solid minerals resources under Federal jurisdiction. Solid minerals include coal and non-energy leasable minerals, hardrock minerals on acquired lands, locatable minerals, and salable minerals.
Department
of Agriculture’s Forest Service The USDA Forest Service like BLM is also responsible for managing energy and mineral resources on federal onshore
areas. Forest Service activities include the protection and management of natural resources on National Forest System lands. Under the Forest Service mission to achieve quality land management under the sustainable multiple-use management concept to meet the diverse needs of people. It includes: providing international technical assistance and scientific exchanges to sustain and enhance global resources and to encourage quality land management.
Department
of Energy (DOE) 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.
Energy
Information Administration (EIA)
The Energy Information Administration (EIA), created by Congress in 1977, is a statistical agency of the U.S. Department of Energy. We provide policy-independent data, forecasts, and analyses to promote sound policy making, efficient markets, and public understanding regarding energy and its interaction with the economy and the environment.
U.S. Department of the Interior |
U.S. Geological Survey
