Department of Energy

Department of Energy - image credit unsplash/Czar Nyiko

The Department of Energy’s core climate capabilities lie in its preeminent energy research, development, demonstration, and deployment (RDD&D) programs and capabilities. These capabilities are distributed across several DOE programs, including the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), the Office of Science, the Office of Nuclear Energy, the Office of Electricity, and several others.

To accelerate action on climate change as part of an administration-wide effort, DOE leadership will need to set a clear road map to prioritize early climate action, revitalize the research conducted by these RDD&D programs, and focus them on climate changeand clean energy solutions.

Historically, the first few days of a Secretary of Energy’s tenure are largely focused on detailed briefings related to nuclear security, physical security, agency threats and national security, grid infrastructure, and disaster preparedness. These recommendations outline a comprehensive strategy an incoming administration can execute to focus the agency on climate from Day One, while still meeting its responsibilities in these other important areas.

Lead Authors

Jason Bordoff, Center on Global Energy Policy, Columbia; former Special Assistant to President Obama Dan Utech, Yale School of the Environment; former Deputy Assistant to President Obama Udai Rohatgi, former Chief of Staff, Under Secretary of Energy and Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

* Professional affiliations do not imply organizational or governmental endorsement of these recommendations