NEW ENERGY SEC. LOOKING TO MAKE CHANGES TO DOE STRUCTURE

New Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz is considering a set of reorganization proposals that would reverse many of the changes made to the Department in recent years, WC Monitor has learned. Among the changes under consideration is the creation of a new Under Secretary of Energy for Management position, to which the offices of Environmental Management and Legacy Management would report, according to officials familiar with the proposal. Currently, the two offices report to the Under Secretary for Nuclear Security, who also heads the National Nuclear Security Administration, through a structure set up approximately two years ago. The new Under Secretary for Management position would be responsible for project management across DOE, with a focus on the Department’s large construction projects that have had a history of cost-and-schedule concerns, according to officials familiar with the proposal. “There is an awareness that construction overruns, especially and primarily at EM and NNSA but overall across the Department, are reducing the credibility of the Department and are diverting needed resources from science and meeting the actual mission goals of the Department,” one official familiar with the proposal said yesterday. “The issue is EM being an orphan all the time and getting moved around and no one really caring. They’re hoping this would be a way to provide greater focus and oversight of EM work.”

Moniz is also considering creating a new Under Secretary for Energy and Science position, to which DOE’s energy- and science-related offices would report. In addition, Moniz is believed to be considering modifying DOE’s Office of Health, Safety and Security and re-establishing an environment, safety and health office and a separate security office, according to officials. DOE did not respond to requests for comment on the issue yesterday.