The Department of Energy's (DOE) overarching mission is to advance the national, economic, and energy security of the United States; to promote scientific and technological innovation in support of that mission; and to ensure the environmental cleanup of the national nuclear weapons complex.  Laws passed by Congress and signed by the President both define DOE’s authorities and set forth DOE’s responsibilities.  Additionally, a number of Executive Orders issued by the President play a central role in guiding DOE’s activities. 

In the space below, we have provided links to key statutes and executive orders which affect the Department of Energy.  For every law, we provide a link to the United States Code (U.S.C.) , which is the codification by subject matter of the general and permanent laws of the United States.  When possible, we also provide a link to a PDF version of each law because it is sometimes difficult to read the full text of in the U.S.C.  The U.S.C. is updated annually, however, and therefore may provide a more current version of the law than the PDF version. These resources are categorized in alphabetical order.  Please note that this site is intended solely as an educational resource for the public and does not purport to be an exhaustive list of all statutes and executive orders affecting DOE.  You will need the free Adobe Reader to view the PDF files on this page.  Click here to learn more about Adobe Reader.

Laws

Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship Act of 1994
Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship Act of 1994 in U.S.C.

Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (AEA)
AEA in U.S.C.

PDF Version of AEA from U.S. Senate 

Bayh-Dole Act
Bayh-Dole Act in U.S.C.

Bonneville Project Act of 1937
Bonneville Project Act in U.S.C. 

PDF Version of Bonneville Project Act from U.S. Bureau of Reclamation 

Defense Production Act of 1950
Defense Production Act of 1950 in U.S.C.

Department of Energy Science Education Enhancement Act
Department of Energy Science Education Enhancement Act in U.S.C.

DOE Organization Act 
DOE Organization Act in U.S.C. 

Energy Conservation and Production Act (ECPA)
ECPA in U.S.C.

Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA)
PDF Version of EISA from the U.S. Government Printing Office

Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPAct 1992)
EPAct 1992 in U.S.C.

Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct 2005)
PDF Version of EPAct 2005 from the U.S. Government Printing Office

Energy Policy and Conservation Act
Energy Policy and Conservation Act in U.S.C.

Energy Reorganization Act of 1974
Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 in U.S.C.

Energy Supply and Environmental Coordination Act of 1974
ESECA in U.S.C.
CITE: 42USC7547

Export Administration Act of 1979
Export Administration Act of 1979 in U.S.C.

Federal Nonnuclear Energy Research and Development Act of 1974
Federal Nonnuclear Energy Research and Development Act of 1974 in U.S.C.

Federal Power Act (FPA)
FPA in U.S.C.

Flood Control Act of 1944
Flood Control Act of 1944 in U.S.C.

Global Change Research Act of 1990
Global Change Research Act of 1990 in U.S.C.

National Climate Program Act (NCPA)
NCPA in U.S.C.

National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 1996
PDF Version of NDAA for FY 1996 from National Institute of Standards and Technology 

National Energy Conservation Policy Act (NECPA):
NECPA in U.S.C.

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
NEPA in U.S.C. 

PDF Version of NEPA from U.S. Senate 

National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Act
PDF Version of NNSA Act 

National Superconductivity and Competitiveness Act of 1988
National Superconductivity and Competitiveness Act of 1988 in U.S.C.

Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978 (NGPA)
NGPA in U.S.C.

Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982
Nuclear Waste Policy Act in U.S.C. 

PDF Version of Nuclear Waste Policy Act from U.S. Senate 

Reclamation Project Act of 1939
Reclamation Project Act of 1939 in U.S.C.

PDF Version of Reclamation Project Act of 1939 from U.S. Bureau of Reclamation

Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Technology Competitiveness Act of 1989
Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Technology Competitiveness Act of 1989 in U.S.C.

Solar Energy Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 1974
Solar Energy Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 1974 in U.S.C.

Solid Waste Disposal Act (SWDA)
SWDA in U.S.C.

Steel and Aluminum Energy Conservation and Technology Competitiveness Act of 1988
Steel and Aluminum Energy Conservation and Technology Competitiveness Act of 1988 in U.S.C

Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980
Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 in U.S.C.

Support for East European Democracy Act of 1989 (SEED Act)
SEED Act in U.S.C.

Title 10, Chapter 641 of U.S.C. pertaining to Naval Petroleum Reserves
Title 10, Chapter 641 pertaining to Naval Petroleum Reserves in U.S.C.

United States Enrichment Corporation (USEC) Privatization Act
USEC Privatization Act in U.S.C. 

PDF Version of USEC Privatization Act from National Park Service

Uranium Mill Tailings Radiation Control Act of 1978 (UMTRCA)
UMTRCA in U.S.C. 

Energy-Related Executive Orders

Executive Order 12235, Management of Natural Gas Supply Emergencies
Executive Order 12235 from the National Archives

Executive Order 12344, Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program
Executive Order 12344 from the National Archives

Executive Order 13211, Actions Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use
PDF Version of Executive Order 13211 from the U.S. Government Printing Office

Executive Order 13423, Strengthening Federal Environmental, Energy, and Transportation Management
PDF Version of Executive Order 13423 from the U.S. Government Printing Office