Office of Fossil Energy

Office of Fossil Energy is a United States Department of Energy agency responsible for the development and implementation of fossil fuel policies and programs, working closely with National Petroleum Council, American Petroleum Institute, and International Energy Agency. The office plays a crucial role in ensuring the United States' energy security, promoting energy independence, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, as outlined in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. In collaboration with National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Sandia National Laboratories, and Los Alamos National Laboratory, the Office of Fossil Energy supports research and development of clean coal technologies, carbon capture and storage, and unconventional oil and gas production, as recommended by the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering. The office also works with international partners, including European Union, China, and India, to promote global cooperation on energy security and climate change mitigation, as agreed upon in the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

● Overview

The Office of Fossil Energy is responsible for the development, implementation, and management of programs related to fossil fuel production, transportation, and use, in consultation with Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Environmental Protection Agency, and Department of the Interior. The office works to ensure the reliable and efficient supply of fossil fuels, including coal, oil, and natural gas, while minimizing the environmental impacts of their production and use, as required by the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act. In partnership with National Energy Technology Laboratory, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, the office supports research and development of new technologies to improve the efficiency and reduce the environmental impacts of fossil fuel use, as funded by the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy and the Department of Energy's Office of Science. The office also provides policy and technical support to the United States Secretary of Energy and other senior Department of Energy officials, including the Under Secretary of Energy and the Assistant Secretary for Fossil Energy, on issues related to fossil fuel production, transportation, and use, as well as energy security and climate change mitigation, in coordination with the National Security Council and the White House Office of Energy and Climate Change.

● History

The Office of Fossil Energy was established on August 4, 1977, as part of the Department of Energy Organization Act, which created the United States Department of Energy and consolidated various energy-related functions from other federal agencies, including the Federal Energy Administration and the Energy Research and Development Administration. The office has undergone several reorganizations and restructuring efforts over the years, including the Energy Policy Act of 1992 and the Energy Policy Act of 2005, which expanded the office's responsibilities and authorities, as recommended by the National Commission on Energy Policy and the Bipartisan Policy Center. Today, the Office of Fossil Energy is a key component of the United States Department of Energy's efforts to promote energy security, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and support the development of clean energy technologies, in collaboration with National Science Foundation, Department of Commerce, and Environmental Protection Agency.

● Organization

The Office of Fossil Energy is headed by the Assistant Secretary for Fossil Energy, who is appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the United States Senate, as required by the United States Constitution and the Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998. The office is organized into several divisions and offices, including the Office of Coal and Power Systems, the Office of Oil and Natural Gas, and the Office of Petroleum Reserves, which work together to develop and implement policies and programs related to fossil fuel production, transportation, and use, in consultation with Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, and United States Coast Guard. The office also has a number of field offices and laboratories, including the National Energy Technology Laboratory and the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, which provide technical support and conduct research and development on fossil fuel-related technologies, as funded by the Department of Energy's Office of Science and the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy.

● Programs and Initiatives

The Office of Fossil Energy supports a range of programs and initiatives related to fossil fuel production, transportation, and use, including the Clean Coal Power Initiative, the Carbon Capture and Storage program, and the Unconventional Oil and Gas program, as authorized by the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The office also provides funding and technical support for research and development of new fossil fuel-related technologies, including advanced coal combustion systems, carbon capture and storage, and enhanced oil recovery techniques, as recommended by the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering. In partnership with National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Sandia National Laboratories, and Los Alamos National Laboratory, the office supports the development of clean energy technologies and promotes the use of renewable energy sources, such as solar energy and wind energy, as required by the Renewable Fuel Standard and the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007.

● Research and Development

The Office of Fossil Energy supports research and development of new fossil fuel-related technologies, including clean coal technologies, carbon capture and storage, and unconventional oil and gas production, as funded by the Department of Energy's Office of Science and the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy. The office works with National Energy Technology Laboratory, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory to conduct research and development on fossil fuel-related technologies, including advanced coal combustion systems, carbon capture and storage, and enhanced oil recovery techniques, as recommended by the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering. The office also collaborates with international partners, including European Union, China, and India, to promote global cooperation on energy security and climate change mitigation, as agreed upon in the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

● Policy and Regulation

The Office of Fossil Energy plays a key role in developing and implementing policies and regulations related to fossil fuel production, transportation, and use, in consultation with Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Environmental Protection Agency, and Department of the Interior. The office works to ensure that fossil fuel production and use are conducted in a safe and environmentally responsible manner, as required by the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act. The office also provides policy and technical support to the United States Secretary of Energy and other senior Department of Energy officials on issues related to fossil fuel production, transportation, and use, as well as energy security and climate change mitigation, in coordination with the National Security Council and the White House Office of Energy and Climate Change. In partnership with National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, National Conference of State Legislatures, and American Council on Renewable Energy, the office promotes the development of clean energy technologies and supports the use of renewable energy sources, such as solar energy and wind energy, as required by the Renewable Fuel Standard and the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007.

Category:United States Department of Energy