Secretaries of Energy

Federal Government

The Department of Energy's overarching mission is to advance the national, econonmic and energy security of the United States; to promote scientific and technological innovation in support of that mission; and to ensure the environmental cleanup of the national nuclear weapons complex. The department has four strategic goals toward achieving the mission:

• Defense Strategic Goal: To protect national security by applying advanced science and nuclear technology to the nation’s defense.
• Energy Strategic Goal: To protect national and economic security by promoting a diverse supply of reliable, affordable, and environmentally sound energy.
• Science Strategic Goal: To protect national and economic security by providing world-class scientific research capacity and advancing scientific knowledge.
• Environment Strategic Goal: To protect the environment by providing a responsible resolution to the environmental legacy of the Cold War and by providing for the permanent disposal of the nation’s high-level radioactive waste.

The Secretary of Energy determines major energy policies and planning, and acts as the Department's main spokesperson. He or she ensures efficient communication and working relationships with federal, state, local and tribal governments, as well as the public. The secretary is the principal adviser to the president on national energy matters.

Term of Service	Secretary	Home State	Administration
1977 - 1979	James R. Schlesinger	New York	Carter
1979 - 1981	Charles W. Duncan Jr.	Texas	Carter
1981 - 1982	James B. Edwards	South Carolina	Reagan
1982 - 1985	Donald Paul Hodel	Oregon	Reagan
1985 - 1989	John S. Herrington	California	Reagan
1989 - 1993	James D. Watkins	California	G.H.W. Bush
1993 - 1997	Hazel R. O'Leary	New Jersey	Clinton
1997 - 1998	Federico F. Peña	Colorado	Clinton
1998 - 2001	Bill Richardson	New Mexico	Clinton
2001 -	Spencer Abraham	Michigan	G.W. Bush

See cabinet officers sorted by administration.

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