Editor's note: The article has been updated for clarification.

The Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Fossil Energy (FE) announced today the appointment of Neelesh Nerurkar as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Oil and Natural Gas.  He will administer oil and gas programs, including research and development, analysis, and natural gas regulation.

“I’m happy to welcome Neelesh to FE,” said Christopher Smith, Assistant Secretary for Fossil Energy. “His broad experience in government and industry, and particularly his energy and economics expertise, make him an exceptional choice to lead the Office of Oil and Gas.”

Most recently, Nerurkar served at the White House.  At the National Economic Council and National Security Council he developed and coordinated U.S. energy policy to advance economic, climate, and foreign policy goals. Nerurkar has also held government leadership positions as Senior Advisor at the Department of State's Bureau of Energy Resources and Energy Policy Specialist with the Congressional Research Service. Prior to this, he was an economist with BP and the Energy Information Administration. 

Nerurkar holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Political Science from the University of Oklahoma and a Masters of Arts degree from The Johns Hopkins University’s Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies.