Energy Security

The secure and reliable delivery of energy is crucial for national security, the economy, public health, and public safety. The ability to access electricity, natural gas, and petroleum products on demand relies on the uninterrupted operation of the energy infrastructure and supply chains that support energy delivery. All other critical infrastructure sectors depend on energy for their own secure and reliable operation. In short, energy is the backbone of American society, government, and economic prosperity.  

Changing natural hazards, increased customer demand, future electrification of transportation, and addition of distributed energy resources and commercial renewable energy generation to the grid all necessitate dynamic short- and long-term planning to ensure system reliability.  

DOE approaches this by playing an important and multifaceted role in protecting our Nations’ energy security.  

Through managing the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR), DOE protects the United States from severe petroleum supply interruptions through the acquisition, storage, distribution, and management of emergency petroleum stocks, and to carry out the U.S. obligations under the International Energy Program. 

To address potential and active natural hazards and physical and cybersecurity threats, DOE provides technical expertise to help ensure the reliability, resiliency, and security of energy systems in partnership with the private sector, state, and local communities across the country.  

As the Energy Sector Risk Management Agency, DOE, through the Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response (CESER), leads day-to-day Federal interface for U.S. energy systems, conducts sector-specific risk management and resilience activities, and leads the policy, preparedness, risk analysis, technical assistance, research and development, operational collaboration, and emergency response activities for the U.S. energy sector. In collaboration with regulatory bodies, such as the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), SLTTs, and international partners, DOE supports the critical infrastructure protection programs by analyzing vulnerabilities and recommending preventative measures.  

It assists other agencies to prepare for and respond to energy emergencies, or national security events. These vital efforts strengthen the energy sector’s cybersecurity preparedness and cyber incident response and recovery. 

DOE manages these collaborative goals and objectives through effective trainings, exercises, and support programs, such as Clear Path, Information Sharing Analysis Workshop, Social Media Drill, Liberty Eclipse, CyberStrike™ Training Program, Interagency and International Exercises, Operational Technology (OT) Defenders Fellowship, CyberForce® Program, and the Rural and Municipal Utility Cybersecurity (RMUC) Program.