The Department of Energy (DOE) leads Emergency Support Function (ESF) #12 - Energy under the National Response Framework. Learn more about ESF #12 and its important role in DOE’s energy security mission below.
The Federal Government follows the National Response Framework (NRF) when responding to disasters and emergencies. The NRF outlines the key roles, responsibilities, structures, and procedures for federal agencies to support emergency response, allowing for better coordination and more efficient use of national resources.
Coordination of federal incident response is accomplished through Emergency Support Functions (ESFs). ESFs are groups of federal government and some private sector organizations that work together during a response to deliver core capabilities to stabilize community lifelines. Federal ESFs bring together the resources of federal departments and agencies and other national assets to support a coordinated and effective response. There are 15 ESFs under the National Response Framework, including transportation, communications, firefighting, public health and medical services, and energy.
ESF #12 is the dedicated emergency support function for the energy sector under the National Response Framework. DOE is the coordinator and primary agency for ESF #12. In this role, DOE helps facilitate the restoration of damaged energy systems when activated by the Secretary of Homeland Security for incidents that require a coordinated federal response under the Stafford Act.
DOE is also Sector Risk Management Agency (SRMA) for the energy sector, coordinating emergency preparedness and response for energy emergencies not declared as Stafford Act events.
Utilizing the ESF #12 structure, DOE’s Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response (CESER) manages the day-to-day functions of all-hazards energy emergency response including:
- Providing technical expertise to energy asset owners and operators, other federal agencies, and local, state, tribal, and territorial governments. This may include damage assessments and assistance with restoration and logistics.
- Collecting, evaluating, and sharing information on the status of energy systems in affected areas, including predictive outage assessments, projected restoration schedules, and potential state, regional, and national impacts.
- Assisting government and private sector stakeholders in overcoming the challenges associated with the restoration of energy systems.
- Providing situational awareness to the energy sector when activated and during steady state.
ESF #12 is activated by the Secretary of Homeland Security for both Stafford Act and non-Stafford Act incidents that involve impacts to energy systems. Not all incidents requiring federal support result in the activation of ESF #12.
Upon activation, ESF #12 response teams may deploy to affected area(s) to assist in response and restoration efforts.
ESF #12 works closely with state and territorial partners to help ensure the rapid restoration of energy systems following a disaster or incident. ESF #12 has ten Regional Coordinators (RC), who support FEMA regions.
The RCs have strong relationships with state, local, tribal, and territorial partners. During a response, RC’s interact daily with their regional and state partners, sharing information, determining partner unmet needs, and coordinating resources with ESFs and other entities. Under steady-state conditions, RCs participate in exercises, coordinate with local, state, tribal, territorial, governments and organizations, and develop expertise on regional issues and infrastructure.
ESF #12 responders assist private sector energy asset owners and operators with the restoration of energy systems and infrastructure after an incident occurs.
For disasters and incidents that require a federal coordinated response, ESF #12 is the primary point of contact with the energy industry for federal government coordination—sharing information, helping industry partners identify needs, and coordinating requests for assistance and resources.