Major Reorganization at DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
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by Lara Neer, Program Manager, National Hydrogen Association
On Monday, March 18, 2002, Assistant Secretary David Garman announced a reorganization of the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) office. In light of the Presidential initiative FreedomCAR, and increased emphasis on energy security, a comprehensive review of all EERE programs has taken place. 

The result is a new streamlined, integrated and focused model that will have fewer layers between the assistant secretary and program managers. Specifically there will be only two Deputy Assistant Secretary (DAS) positions; one will manage Technology Development and the other Business Administration. The DAS for Technology Development will oversee all EERE program managers and regional offices, and the DAS for Business Administration will oversee all program support issues, planning, analysis, budget formulation and the Golden field office. The goal is to reduce bureaucracy and allow the program managers to focus on their technology areas. 

This restructuring will consolidate 31 program offices to 11:
DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy: Restructured Organizational Chart

The reorganization is also expected to reduce overlap, provide the program managers more control and assign accountability. Of particular interest to NHA members is that the Hydrogen and Infrastructure Program combines OTT/Fuel Cells, OPT/Hydrogen, DER/Fuel Cells, and any other hydrogen system specific R&D; related work. FreedomCAR and Vehicle Technologies will include R&D; for Hybrid Systems, Advanced Combustion Engines, Electric Vehicles, Materials Technologies, Heavy Vehicle Systems, Fuels Utilization, and the R&D; related or private sector related elements of Technology Utilization. These two programs are expected to closely coordinate their activities. 

The new structure reduces the management layers at DOE headquarters from 8 to as few as 4. When completed, there will be two DASs, no ADASs, 14 offices and 11 programs. Mr. Garman said, “The Program Manager will be much more prominent, accessible, accountable and empowered.” 

The changes in the structure will be implemented at a rapid pace over the next several months. The two DASs will be chosen by March 22 and Office Directors identified as early as March 27. The proposed effective date of reorganization is May 1, 2002, with completion expected in early October. 

This is a fluid exercise and NHA will keep you apprised as information becomes available.

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