About the Commission
Section 319 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2014, Public Law No. 113-76 established the Commission to Review the Effectiveness of the National Energy Laboratories. The Commission will review whether the DOE national laboratories are properly aligned with the Department’s strategic priorities, have clear and balanced missions, have unique capabilities to meet current energy and national security challenges, are appropriately sized to meet the Department’s energy and national security missions, and are appropriately supporting other Federal agencies. The Commission will also look for opportunities to more effectively and efficiently use the capabilities of the national laboratories and analyze the effectiveness of the use of laboratory directed research and development (LDRD) to meet the Department's science, energy and national security goals.
The Commission may form subcommittees to undertake fact-finding and analysis on specific topics. The Commission will report its findings and conclusions to the Secretary of Energy and the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate. The duties of the Commission are solely advisory.