Part I ~ Summary:
The Department of Energy (DOE) was established under the Department of Energy Organization Act of 1977. It was established as a response to the 1970’s energy crisis when the oil embargo led to reduced supply and price hikes. Previously, federal energy regulation was done by various agencies and departments. The DOE’s mandate is to ensure energy security, ensure security, safety and reliability of the US nuclear arsenal, clean up the environment from the Cold War’s legacy and develop science, and technology innovations. The Secretary of the DOE is a cabinet member.
The DOE houses several departments such as the Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability whose mission is to lead national efforts in modernizing the electric grid, ensure reliability and security of energy infrastructure, and facilitate recovery from energy supply disruptions. The Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy has the mission of providing a prosperous future of clean, abundant, reliable and affordable energy. Additionally, the Office of Fossil Energy ensures continued reliance on clean, affordable energy from traditional fuels. Other DOE departments include the Office of Environmental Management, the Office of Science, the Office of Nuclear Energy, and the Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management.
Part II ~ Reason:
The Department of Energy is a favorable choice because unlike other energy regulating agencies; its mandate and activities cover a much broader scope. This is because the department houses various departments with diverse interests and missions ranging from environmental conservation, radioactive waste management, provision of clean and renewable energy, maintenance of energy infrastructure, maintenance of nuclear weapons, ensuring energy safety standards, and research and innovations in energy production.
Part III ~ Impact/Relevance:
The DOE’s impact on my personal and work life is evidently significant. First of all, without energy, all industrial activities would halt leading to serious calamity and economic failure since all services ranging from food production, healthcare, telecommunications, transport, education and manufacturing rely on energy. The DOE as an energy regulator also ensures that energy providers such as fuel companies do not exploit consumers like me through price hikes, poor safety standards and environmental pollution. The DOE also maintains the safety of the nuclear arsenal, and this makes me feel safe as a citizen both from external attacks from foreign countries, and also from the possibility of domestic nuclear accident. I, therefore, feel that the DOE’s work ensures that I live peacefully, safely, and I get to keep my job.
