United States Secretary of Energy

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Secretary of Energy of the United States of America

Flag of the Secretary of Energy

Seal of the Department of Energy
Incumbent
Ernest Moniz
since May 16, 2013
U.S. Department of Energy
Member of Cabinet
Reports to The President
Seat Washington, D.C.
Appointer The President
Term length No fixed term
Constituting instrument 42 U.S.C. § 7131
Formation August 6, 1977
First holder James R. Schlesinger
Succession Fifteenth
(presidential line of succession)
Deputy Deputy Secretary of Energy
Salary Executive Schedule, level 1
Website www.doe.gov

The United States Secretary of Energy is the head of the U.S. Department of Energy, a member of the U.S. President's Cabinet, and fifteenth in the presidential line of succession. The position was formed on October 1, 1977 with the creation of the Department of Energy when President Jimmy Carter signed the Department of Energy Organization Act.[1] Originally the post focused on energy production and regulation. The emphasis soon shifted to developing technology for better, more efficient energy sources as well as energy education. After the end of the Cold War, the department's attention also turned toward radioactive waste disposal and maintenance of environmental quality.[2]

Former Secretary of Defense James Schlesinger was the first Secretary of Energy, who was a Republican nominated to the post by Democratic President Jimmy Carter, the only time a president has appointed someone of another party to the post. Schlesinger is also the only secretary to be dismissed from the post.[3] Hazel O'Leary, Bill Clinton's first Secretary of Energy, was first female and African-American holder.[4] The first Hispanic to serve as Energy Secretary was Clinton's second, Federico Peña.[5] Steven Chu became the first Asian American to hold the position on January 20, 2009, serving under the administration of Barack Obama. He is also the first and only Nobel Prize winner to be a Cabinet secretary[6] and the longest-serving Secretary of Energy.

On February 1, 2013, Chu announced his resignation, stating that he will continue to serve until after the ARPA-E Summit at the end of February and possibly until a new secretary is appointed.[7] Following Chu's resignation, Ernest Moniz was nominated and confirmed as Secretary of Energy, taking office on May 16, 2013.

Secretaries of Energy

Parties

      Democratic       Republican

No. Portrait Name State of residence Took office Left office Party President(s)
1 Schlesinger, James R.James R. Schlesinger Virginia August 6, 1977 August 6, 1979 Republican Carter, JimmyJimmy Carter
2 Duncan, Jr., Charles W.Charles W. Duncan, Jr. Texas August 24, 1979 January 20, 1981 Democratic
3 Edwards, James B.James B. Edwards South Carolina January 23, 1981 November 5, 1982 Republican Reagan, RonaldRonald Reagan
4 Hodel, Donald P.Donald P. Hodel Oregon November 5, 1982 February 7, 1985 Republican
5 Herrington, John S.John S. Herrington California February 7, 1985 January 20, 1989 Republican
6 Watkins, James D.James D. Watkins California March 1, 1989 January 20, 1993 Republican Bush, George H. W.George H. W. Bush
7 O'Leary, Hazel R.Hazel R. O'Leary Virginia January 22, 1993 January 20, 1997 Democratic Clinton, BillBill Clinton
8 Peña, Federico F.Federico F. Peña Colorado March 12, 1997 June 30, 1998 Democratic
9 Richardson, William B.William B. Richardson New Mexico August 18, 1998 January 20, 2001 Democratic
10 Abraham, SpencerSpencer Abraham Michigan January 20, 2001 February 1, 2005 Republican Bush, George W.George W. Bush
11 Bodman, Samuel W.Samuel W. Bodman Illinois February 1, 2005 January 20, 2009 Republican
12 Chu, StevenSteven Chu California January 20, 2009 April 22, 2013 Democratic Obama, BarackBarack Obama
13 Moniz, ErnestErnest Moniz Massachusetts May 16, 2013 Incumbent Democratic

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Origins". U.S. Department of Energy. Retrieved 2007-07-29. 
  2. ↑ "The Clinton Administration". The Washington Post. 2000-02-18. Retrieved 2007-07-29. 
  3. ↑ "Biography of James Schlesinger Origins". U.S. Department of Defense. Retrieved 2007-08-13. 
  4. ↑ "President Hazel R. O'Leary Honored by Urban League". Fisk University. Archived from the original on 2007-09-27. Retrieved 2007-08-13. 
  5. ↑ "Federico F. Peña to be Sworn in as the Eighth Secretary of Energy". U.S. Department of Energy. Retrieved 2007-08-13. 
  6. ↑ "Chu named energy chief". The Straits Times. 2008-12-12. Retrieved 2009-01-22. 
  7. ↑ "Letter from Secretary Steven Chu to Energy Department Employees Announcing His Decision Not to Serve a Second Term". U.S. Department of Energy. 2013-02-01. Retrieved 2013-02-02. 

External links

United States presidential line of succession
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Under Secretary of Energy
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Under Secretary of Energy for Nuclear Security
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