Saving Electricity

The Department of Energy (DOE) is deeply involved in both buying and making electricity, reflecting its mission to ensure energy security and sustainability. For buying electricity, DOE procures power for its vast network and influences the broader market through its Power Marketing Administrations (PMAs), such as the Southeastern, Southwestern, and Western Area Power Administrations, which manage regional energy distribution and transactions, including rate development for energy services. In terms of making electricity, DOE primarily focuses on extensive research and development through its National Laboratories, exploring advanced nuclear, renewable, and clean fossil fuel technologies to improve generation methods. 

While not a direct commercial generator, DOE supports grid modernization and the integration of diverse generation sources, including distributed energy resources and microgrids. This dual involvement ensures a reliable and resilient electricity supply, promotes clean energy technologies, drives efficiency to reduce costs, and leverages strategic purchasing power to foster innovation and a sustainable energy economy, including using the Defense Production Act to prioritize domestic energy supplies when needed.