U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
The mission of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) is to strengthen America's energy security, environmental quality, and economic vitality in public-private partnerships that promote technological innovation for buildings, homes, transportation, power systems, and industry.
The need for energy efficiency and renewable energy has never been greater. President George W. Bush has declared that "America is addicted to oil," and he called for a new Advanced Energy Initiative to respond to this critical situation. EERE plays an important role in the President's initiative by bringing about commercialization opportunities for new technologies and enabling commercial frameworks to accelerate the development and deployment of clean energy technologies and practices.
Working with industry, state and local governments, and academia, and supported by its National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colorado, EERE consists of ten research, development, and deployment programs. These programs are in two distinct branches of research and development — both of which are represented in the office's name.
The first branch includes renewable energy sources: solar, hydrogen, wind, biomass, and geothermal. Developing America's abundant renewable energy resources will decrease our dependence on foreign fuel and strengthen our national security. Renewable energy technologies also produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions and have less impact on the environment. The Solar Decathlon itself is testament to DOE's ongoing efforts to make solar power a larger part of America's energy portfolio.
The second branch of EERE includes technologies that make buildings, transportation, and appliances more energy efficient, and make power transmission more reliable. Many examples of these technologies are on display here at the Solar Decathlon and are incorporated into the homes constructed by the student teams. By using less energy, American families save on their utility bills without sacrificing comfort.
The work of EERE also includes weatherizing the homes of American families in need, supplementing state energy programs, and promoting energy efficiency in federal government facilities and installations.
The DOE mission lies at the cutting edge of science and social responsibility. By creating beneficial energy technologies and making use of "free" energy sources such as the sun, wind, and the Earth's own warmth, we can provide less expensive, more reliable, and more abundant energy for every family in the United States. This is making a difference in the everyday lives of Americans by enhancing their energy choices and their quality of life.
Welcome to the Solar Decathlon and please join us in wishing good luck to all the competing teams. Tour the homes, enjoy your visit, ask questions... and think energy!
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