United States Secretary of Energy

position

The United States Secretary of Energy is the head of the United States Department of Energy, a member of the President's Cabinet, and fifteenth in the Presidential line of succession. The post was created with the formation of the Department of Energy on October 1, 1977 by President Jimmy Carter's signing of the Department of Energy Organization Act.[2] The position was originally developed to focus on energy production and regulation. During the 1980s, the emphasis shifted to development of technology for better, more efficient energy sources as well as education regarding energy. As the Cold War ended, the department's efforts were more often devoted to nuclear waste disposal and maintenance of environmental quality.[3]

United States Secretary of Energy
Seal of the Department
Flag of the Secretary
Incumbent
Jennifer Granholm

since February 25, 2021
United States Department of Energy
StyleMadam Secretary
(informal)
The Honorable
(formal)
Member ofCabinet
National Security Council
Reports toPresident of the United States
SeatJames V. Forrestal Building, Washington, D.C.
AppointerThe President
with Senate advice and consent
Term lengthNo fixed term
Constituting instrument42 U.S.C. § 7131
FormationAugust 6, 1977
First holderJames R. Schlesinger
SuccessionFifteenth[1]
DeputyDeputy Secretary of Energy
SalaryExecutive Schedule, level I
WebsiteEnergy.gov

List of Secretaries of Energy

change
 
The first Secretary of Energy, James Schlesinger
 
Hazel O'Leary, the first woman and African-American to hold the position
 
Spencer Abraham, Secretary from 2001 to 2005
Parties

  Democratic (7)   Republican (9)

Status

  Acting Secretary of Energy

  Reported Nominee for Secretary of Energy

No. Portrait Name State of residence Took office Left office Party President(s)
1   James Schlesinger Virginia August 6, 1977 August 23, 1979 Republican Jimmy Carter
2   Charles Duncan Texas August 24, 1979 January 20, 1981 Democratic
3   James Edwards South Carolina January 23, 1981 November 5, 1982 Republican Ronald Reagan
4   Donald Hodel Oregon November 5, 1982 February 7, 1985 Republican
5   John Herrington California February 7, 1985 January 20, 1989 Republican
6   James Watkins California March 1, 1989 January 20, 1993 Republican George H. W. Bush
7   Hazel O'Leary Virginia January 22, 1993 January 20, 1997 Democratic Bill Clinton
8   Federico Peña Colorado March 12, 1997 June 30, 1998 Democratic
9   Bill Richardson New Mexico August 18, 1998 January 20, 2001 Democratic
10   Spencer Abraham Michigan January 20, 2001 February 1, 2005 Republican George W. Bush
11   Samuel Bodman Illinois February 1, 2005 January 20, 2009 Republican
12   Steven Chu California January 20, 2009 April 22, 2013 Democratic Barack Obama
  Daniel Poneman Ohio April 22, 2013 May 21, 2013 Democratic
13   Ernest Moniz Massachusetts May 21, 2013 January 20, 2017 Democratic
  Grace Bochenek January 20, 2017 March 2, 2017 Donald Trump
14   Rick Perry Texas March 2, 2017 December 1, 2019 Republican
15   Dan Brouillette Texas December 1, 2019 December 4, 2019 Republican
December 4, 2019 January 20, 2021
  David Huizenga January 20, 2021 February 25, 2021 Democratic Joe Biden
16   Jennifer Granholm Michigan February 25, 2021 Democratic
nominee   Chris Wright Colorado Republican Donald Trump

References

change
  1. "3 U.S. Code § 19 - Vacancy in offices of both President and Vice President; officers eligible to act | US Law | LII / Legal Information Institute". Law.cornell.edu. Retrieved June 14, 2017.
  2. "Origins". Department of Energy. Archived from the original on 2007-02-10. Retrieved 2007-07-29.
  3. "The Clinton Administration". Washington Post. Retrieved 2007-07-29.