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Emergency Preparedness
The Energy Sector consists of thousands of electricity, oil, and natural gas assets that are geographically dispersed and connected by systems and networks. Therefore, interdependency within the sector and across the Nation's critical infrastructure sectors is critical. The energy infrastructure provides fuel to the Nation, and in turn depends on the Nation's transportation, communications, finance, and government infrastructures. The energy systems and networks cross the Nation's borders, making international collaboration a necessary component of the Energy Sector's efforts.
Protecting and improving the resiliency of the Energy Sector in the face of both manmade and natural disasters will be an ongoing effort that will require continued vigilance, contingency planning, and training. There are comprehensive measures that the government and infrastructure owners and operators are working together to achieve for the sector, which include protective measures such as physical and cyber preparedness, and also include recovery measures.
To meet this mission, the OE's Office of Infrastructure Security and Energy Restoration applies the Department of Energy's technical expertise to ensure the security, resiliency and survivability of key energy assets and critical energy infrastructure at home and abroad. ISER's work falls under three components:
- Sector Specific Agency (SSA) for Energy under the National Infrastructure Protection Plan (NIPP)
- Emergency Support Function 12 under the National Response Framework
- Infrastructure Analysis and Planning
Sector Specific Agency for Energy
DOE's Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability (OE) has taken the responsibility of the Energy SSA and will oversee all activities associated with the NIPP and Energy SSP. In doing so, DOE will maintain a close partnership with the electricity and the oil and natural gas Sector Coordinating Councils and governmental partners through the Critical Infrastructure Protection Advisory Council (CIPAC). In addition to the Energy SSP, DOE and its security partners will submit an annual Critical Infrastructure and Key Resources (CI/KR) report to DHS. Perhaps the most valuable aspect of the SSP development process has been the establishment of even more open communication and the ongoing development of a trusted relationship and true partnership between government and industry. This partnership has enabled development of a unified vision for the Energy Sector, and it will continue to facilitate the national effort to implement the Energy Sector's CI/KR protective programs.
Emergency Support Function 12
DOE/OE is the lead office for executing the Emergency Support Function #12 – Energy (ESF 12) mission as outlined in the National Response Framework. ESF #12 facilitates the assessment, reporting, and restoration of damaged energy systems and components when activated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for incidents requiring a coordinated federal response.
For a more detail description of OE's emergency response program and ESF #12, please refer to our emergency response page.
Infrastructure Analysis and Planning
In the wake of terrorist attacks against major oil and gas facilities around the world, several stakeholders at home and abroad have asked the Department of Energy to assist in finding ways to secure their energy infrastructure to better resist attack or recover from an attack. We are providing expertise on such matters as risk analysis, improved security configurations, contingency and resiliency planning and – most importantly – training techniques to afford facility operators the opportunity to enhance security and contingency programs.
OE is designated as the lead agency to facilitate energy infrastructure resiliencies domestically; and is well suited to assist foreign government in protecting their critical assets and infrastructure from terrorist activities. To this end, OE, in collaboration with Department of State, has used a collaborative process to work with U.S. Agencies, foreign governments and international organizations to enhance security and contingency planning of foreign energy systems, assets, and products that may affect the global stability of the energy system.
Our analysis efforts focus on:
- Building collaborative partnerships with key energy stakeholders where infrastructure and key resources are extensively integrated into the international and global energy market.
- Assisting foreign governments in the development of contingency strategies for energy infrastructure and interdependencies.
- Conducting vulnerability assessments on key facilities, systems and networks.
Levels of Support
- DOE HQ – OE has assembled a staff of energy system, emergency response, and policy experts to fulfill its three mission areas. The staff executes all areas of the mission, including national level policy decisions, emergency deployment, and the conducting of assessments of individual facilities.
- Regional Coordinators (RC) – the Regional Coordinators are the primary points of contact for activities within their region. There is a primary and alternate Regional Coordinator assigned to each FEMA region. The RCs build a strong working relationship with his or her region by attending meetings, participating in exercises, and developing in depth knowledge of the critical infrastructure in the region. From this they develop an understanding of the unique challenges a region faces. RCs maintain situational awareness of both energy assets and also the current status of the energy situation for the Region. During emergency activations, the RCs will provide assessment of field manning requirements and supervise deployed personnel in the region.
- Subject Matter Experts – OE uses the extensive technical expertise available within DOE to address the concern regarding the energy system. OE has put in place mechanisms for using this expertise in a variety of roles, and this expertise is valuable in all three of ISER's mission areas. Subject Matter Experts are trained to assist DOE HQ staff and RCs during deployments.
Fact Sheets
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