U.S. Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette has started off the new year by giving more authority to DOE Undersecretary of Energy Mark Menezes, effectively making him acting second in command at the agency until a deputy is in place.
Brouillette said in a Jan. 10 email to Energy Department staff that to “ensure continued operational effectiveness,” Menezes now has authority to make decisions on DOE operations covering all areas save for the semiautonomous National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA).
That encompasses the Office of Environmental Management and its more than $7 billion annual budget for cleanup of contaminated nuclear sites around the nation.
Energy Department operations, including human capital, cybersecurity, issues concerning property, security, among others, will fall under Menezes. “I have also delegated to him responsibility for exercising emergency authorities as well as rulemaking activities,” Brouillette wrote.
This will all be in addition to Menezes’ current duties as undersecretary of energy, which include being chief adviser on energy policy and technologies.
The onetime lobbyist for Berkshire Hathaway was confirmed by the Senate in November 2017 to serve under then-Energy Secretary Rick Perry and Deputy Secretary Brouillette. After the Senate last month confirmed Brouillette to succeed Perry, there have been rumors Menezes could ascend to the No. 2 spot at DOE.
However, no one has been formally nominated to fill the deputy position, which would require Senate confirmation. One source speculated Thursday the administration might not be in a hurry on most nominations while the Senate is considering impeachment articles against President Donald Trump.
Brouillette, a Louisiana native, is said to be close to Menezes, who is a graduate of Louisiana State University (LSU).
