Should Trump Abolish the Department of Energy?

SP5 Mark Kuzinski — Thu, 29 Dec 2016 07:28:10 -0500

Jimmy Carter created the DOE and it was conceived in dark and pessimistic beliefs and forecasts that have proven totally wrong. As Obama might say, the DOE is on the wrong side of history. As it stands the department needs to either be rethought or retired. Comments Please.

Response by MAJ Bryan Zeski made Dec 29 at 2016 7:43 AM

MAJ Bryan Zeski — Thu, 29 Dec 2016 07:43:39 -0500

DOE Mission: "The mission of the Energy Department is to ensure America’s security and prosperity by addressing its energy, environmental and nuclear challenges through transformative science and technology solutions."

That is a viable and valuable mission.

DOE Goals:
1. Catalyze the timely, material, and efficient transformation of the nation’s energy system and secure U.S. leadership in clean energy technologies.

2. Maintain a vibrant U.S. effort in science and engineering as a cornerstone of our economic prosperity with clear leadership in strategic areas.

3. Enhance nuclear security through defense, nonproliferation, and environmental efforts.

4. Establish an operational and adaptable framework that combines the best wisdom of all Department stakeholders to maximize mission success.

These are reasonable and productive goals.

The DOE should be maintained. It should, like all government Departments, be streamlined and made more efficient.

Response by COL David Turk made Dec 29 at 2016 7:54 AM

COL David Turk — Thu, 29 Dec 2016 07:54:52 -0500

As a minimum, don't let them do any construction projects. They are worse than the VA! Speaking from personal experience; cleaning up after them.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Dec 29 at 2016 8:20 AM

CAPT Kevin B. — Thu, 29 Dec 2016 08:20:58 -0500

Lest we forget, DoE owns all the nuke strategic assets. Navy and AF just have "custody" of what's inside their fence. DoE is good at science, lousy at politics, and horrible at politically driven science.

Response by COL Korey Jackson made Dec 29 at 2016 9:18 AM

COL Korey Jackson — Thu, 29 Dec 2016 09:18:30 -0500

DOE's future should include pragmatic reforms, with emphasis on professionalism in its workforce (both government & contract); improved contracts oversight and program management; and emphasis on security.
It's oversight of our National Labs should appropriate periodic performance reviews.
Demands to abolish DOE as a Department seems to be fundamentally based on unfamiliarity with the broad scope and missions, including nuclear and renewables, perhaps mixed with dissatisfaction over the price of a barrel of oil and the waning coal industry.
Still, significant reforms are needed.

Response by Cpl Joshua Caldwell made Dec 29 at 2016 9:36 AM

Cpl Joshua Caldwell — Thu, 29 Dec 2016 09:36:43 -0500

The Dept of Energy was formed to get us off of our dependence on foreign oil. They have been a complete failure.

Response by Alan K. made Dec 29 at 2016 9:42 AM

Alan K. — Thu, 29 Dec 2016 09:42:45 -0500

DOE Mission: "The mission of the Energy Department is to ensure America’s security and prosperity by addressing its energy, environmental and nuclear challenges through transformative science and technology solutions."

They clearly are NOT following their mission statement or our energy infrastructure would be totally secure....Massive changes needed to be able to carry out their mission statement. Or lose it

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Dec 29 at 2016 9:48 AM

MCPO Roger Collins — Thu, 29 Dec 2016 09:48:49 -0500

Refocus it and put it under the DOD. Anything else is superfluous and used for political purposes.

Response by SFC William "Bill" Moore made Dec 29 at 2016 9:48 AM

SFC William "Bill" Moore — Thu, 29 Dec 2016 09:48:59 -0500

If not abolish it, at the very least require them to actually work towards the original intent in getting us self sufficient, independent of foreign oil. The real agency that needs dismantled is the EPA!

Response by SFC George Smith made Dec 29 at 2016 9:51 AM

SFC George Smith — Thu, 29 Dec 2016 09:51:27 -0500

He Needs to streamline it and Cut thru all the crap involved and about 1/2 the Political Regulations and 1/3 to 1/2 the BS Political Hacks on the Staff... and Make then get down to work Finding and creating the Effective alternative Fuels
IE... The Nazi's, and the Japanese were Making diesel Fuel from Coal before we entered the War in 1941...and 75 years Later we are still experimenting with the Process...
we Have Vast amounts of Coal and tens of thousands of Coal miners out of work... What's up with that...

Response by TSgt Joe C. made Dec 29 at 2016 10:34 AM

TSgt Joe C. — Thu, 29 Dec 2016 10:34:14 -0500

Abolish life and get it over with!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2016 10:46 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 29 Dec 2016 10:46:28 -0500

Yes, abolish it and put anything that is in there that we still need under the department of the interior.

Response by SFC Jerry Humphries made Dec 29 at 2016 12:05 PM

SFC Jerry Humphries — Thu, 29 Dec 2016 12:05:59 -0500

It needs to be reorganized and its mission redefined.

Response by MSG Jay Jackson made Dec 29 at 2016 2:13 PM

MSG Jay Jackson — Thu, 29 Dec 2016 14:13:14 -0500

I say no. Turn it in to the USA Oil Corp and drill like hell. Sell it to China, India, Japan and put the money towards the debt of the USA till paid off. Then use the money to help those who need medical care and can't afford it, and help folks get an education who can't afford it.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2016 3:55 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 29 Dec 2016 15:55:17 -0500

It does have a cool logo though. Can we scrap the department but reuse their club patch?

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Dec 29 at 2016 10:08 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Thu, 29 Dec 2016 22:08:59 -0500

Absolutely.

Response by SSG Richard Hackwith made Jan 2 at 2017 12:28 AM

SSG Richard Hackwith — Mon, 02 Jan 2017 00:28:55 -0500

Trump cannot abolish it on his own. The dept was created by an act of congress, Therefore congress would have to abolish it.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Jan 2 at 2017 7:19 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Mon, 02 Jan 2017 19:19:06 -0500

Yes I think the Department of Energy should be done away with SP5 Mark Kuzinski, The nuclear research and others high security labs should be moved under DHS IMHO.