Grew out of the agency that built the atomic bomb — and still manages the nuclear weapons stockpile today.
DOE covers energy policy, national laboratories, energy data, and nuclear weapons security. Most people encounter it through gas price data or efficiency programs, without realizing the same department also maintains the nation’s nuclear arsenal.
DOE’s mission is to ensure America’s security and prosperity by addressing its energy, environmental, and nuclear challenges through transformative science and technology solutions.
Department of Energy mission statement
What It Does
DOE was formed in 1977, consolidating the old Atomic Energy Commission along with federal energy programs scattered across other agencies in response to the 1970s energy crisis. That origin explains why the department has two very different missions: civilian energy policy and research, and nuclear weapons security — both under one Secretary.
Runs national laboratories
Oversees 17 national laboratories conducting research from particle physics to renewable energy.
Maintains the nuclear stockpile
The National Nuclear Security Administration manages and secures the nation’s nuclear weapons.
Tracks energy data
The Energy Information Administration publishes gas prices, energy production, and consumption statistics.
Funds efficiency programs
Supports energy efficiency standards, weatherization assistance, and renewable energy research.
How It Fits Into Government
Two missions under one Secretary
The Secretary of Energy oversees both civilian energy policy and nuclear weapons security — a combination that traces back to the department’s roots in the Atomic Energy Commission, the body that originally managed the Manhattan Project. Congress writes the energy and nuclear-security statutes DOE administers, and funds the department’s budget, a large share of which goes to nuclear weapons maintenance rather than energy policy alone.
Major Components
National Nuclear Security Administration
Maintains and secures the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile.
- Weapons maintenance
- Nonproliferation
- Naval reactors
Energy Information Administration
Publishes gas prices, energy production, and consumption data.
- Gas price data
- Energy statistics
National Laboratories
17 labs conducting research across physics, energy, and computing.
- Basic research
- Applied energy research
How It Is Checked
Congress
Writes energy and nuclear-security statutes, and funds DOE’s budget through annual appropriations.
Courts
Review DOE rulemaking and can set aside actions exceeding statutory authority.
Public process
Energy efficiency standards generally go through notice-and-comment before final adoption.
Inspector General
The DOE OIG audits programs and investigates waste, fraud, and misconduct, including at national laboratories.
Public Services Visitors May Need
Find energy efficiency programsWeatherization assistance and appliance rebate programs.→
Check environmental cleanup recordsStatus of DOE nuclear and chemical cleanup sites.→
Explore national laboratory researchPublic information on lab research areas and programs.→
DOE isn’t just about energy policy
A common misconception is that the Department of Energy exists primarily to set energy policy and gas prices. A significant share of its budget and mission actually goes to maintaining the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile through the National Nuclear Security Administration — a direct legacy of the department’s origin in the Atomic Energy Commission, the body that originally ran the Manhattan Project. Energy policy and nuclear weapons security are genuinely separate functions that happen to share one Cabinet department.
