Steven Chalk
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary
Steven Chalk is the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) at the U.S. Department of Energy. In this capacity, Mr. Chalk is responsible for managing the programs, staff and policies of EERE and interfacing with constituent groups in the efficiency and renewable energy sectors.
Mr. Chalk recently held the position of EERE's Deputy Assistant Secretary for Renewable Energy, where he was responsible for the management of the government's research, development, and commercialization efforts in solar, wind, geothermal, biomass, and hydrogen technologies. Mr. Chalk also previously managed EERE's Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Program, the Solar Energy Technologies Program and Buildings Technologies Program.
In September 2008, Steve was honored with a Service to America Medal in the Science and Environment category. This award recognized his management of several innovative clean energy projects, as well as his leadership in the federal government's efforts to expand the use of renewable energy and energy efficiency, particularly in the communities of New Orleans and Greensburg, Kansas.
While leading the Solar Energy Technologies Program, Mr. Chalk was responsible for planning and implementing the Solar America Initiative, which aims to make solar technologies cost competitive by 2015. In the building technologies area, Mr. Chalk led DOE's efforts toward net zero energy homes and buildings. The portfolio includes component research such as solid state lighting, market transformation activities such as EnergyStar, and appliance standards regulations. Before this, Mr. Chalk led the President's Hydrogen Fuel Initiative where he oversaw development of a 5-year, $1.2 billion research investment in hydrogen production, delivery, storage, and fuel cells. This portfolio also includes hydrogen safety, codes and standards, and education activities.
In his early career at DOE, Mr. Chalk managed technology development programs in fuel cells, diesel emissions control, and materials for DOE's advanced automotive technology office. Steve also worked in the nuclear energy field where he oversaw DOE test programs for tritium production. Steve started his career with the Navy developing propellants and explosives for conventional weapons.
Mr. Chalk holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Maryland and a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the George Washington University.
