Oct 2: Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Samuel Bodman released the Department’s five-year strategic plan that focuses on the Department’s role in powering and securing America’s future. The plan addresses overall Department goals for developing and deploying new clean energy technologies, reducing our dependence on foreign energy sources, protecting the nuclear weapons stockpile, and ensuring that America remains competitive in the global marketplace. DOE says the plan builds on President Bush’s Advanced Energy and American Competitiveness Initiatives, which are increasing America’s energy security, spurring scientific innovation, and sustaining our economic vitality.
Secretary Bodman said, “The Department of Energy’s strategic plan outlines a path forward to enhance our clean energy options and advance national security interests while protecting the health and safety of our workers and the public. Building on the Department’s rich and diverse history and the President’s initiatives, this plan details the steps necessary to keep our commitments, embrace innovation, and work together to ensure safe, secure, and environmentally responsible operations.”
The Department’s strategic plan seeks to deliver results along five strategic themes that include: (1) promoting America’s energy security through reliable, clean, and affordable sources; (2) ensuring America’s nuclear security by transforming the nuclear weapons stockpile through development of Reliable Replacement Warheads that are safer and more secure; (3) strengthening U.S. scientific discovery, economic competitiveness, and improving quality of life through scientific innovations; (4)protecting the environment through responsible resolution of weapons era waste; and (5) strengthening the operations and management of the Department.
In terms of developing energy security the Department lists several strategies including: (1) Reduce dependence on energy imports, particularly oil in the transportation sector, by developing and effectively deploying technologies to increase fuel efficiency and enable the substitution of alternatives such as biofuels, electricity, and hydrogen. (2) Collaborate globally with governments and scientists to expedite the development and deployment of unconventional energy resources, such as biofuels, that can substitute for oil and natural gas. (3) Collaborate globally with governments and scientists to expedite the development and deployment of nuclear power which can substitute for natural gas. (4) Ensure adequate crude and regional home heating oil supplies during emergency shortages by maintaining the operational readiness of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve and Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve. (5) Ensure an expanding supply of domestic energy for the American public by promoting the construction of an Alaska Natural Gas Pipeline and the environmentally responsible development of the Outer Continental Shelf and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Access a release (click here). Access links to the plan by sections (click here). [*Energy]
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