Office of the General Counsel (Department of Energy)
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Office of the General Counsel (Department of Energy) serves as the chief legal office for the U.S. Department of Energy, providing legal services across a wide range of activities, from regulatory compliance to contract negotiations. It ensures that DOE's operations are conducted in accordance with legal and ethical standards, supporting the department in achieving its objectives in energy policy, environmental protection, and national security.
Mission
The mission of the Office of the General Counsel is to deliver high-quality legal services to DOE, ensuring that all departmental actions are legally sound and in compliance with federal laws, regulations, and executive orders. This includes advising on legislative matters, managing litigation, overseeing contract administration, and providing counsel on policy and regulatory issues[1].
Parent organization
The Office of the General Counsel is part of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), directly advising and supporting the department's legal needs[2].
Legislation
The Office of the General Counsel was established under the Department of Energy Organization Act of 1977, which created the DOE and outlined its organizational structure, including legal support functions.
Partners
- Other DOE offices and programs for legal support.
- Federal, state, and local government agencies for legal coordination.
- Private sector and academic institutions for legal research and policy development.
Number of employees
The exact number of employees in the Office of the General Counsel isn't specified, but it includes attorneys, paralegals, and administrative support staff.
Organization structure
The structure includes:
Leader
Led by the General Counsel.
Divisions
- General Law for broad legal issues.
- Litigation and Enforcement for handling legal disputes.
- Procurement and Financial Assistance for contract review.
- Energy Policy for legal aspects of energy regulation.
List of programs
- Legal Policy and Advice to support DOE's initiatives.
- Compliance and Enforcement for regulatory adherence.
- Contract and Acquisition for procurement oversight.
Last total enacted budget
Specific budget details for the Office of the General Counsel are not publicly detailed, being part of DOE's broader budget.
Staff
The staff includes a mix of attorneys specialized in various areas of law relevant to DOE's operations, but exact numbers are not documented.
Funding
Funding for the Office of the General Counsel comes from the DOE's budget, supporting its legal and administrative functions.
Services provided
The office provides legal advice on policy, reviews and drafts legislation, manages litigation, ensures compliance with environmental, energy, and security laws, oversees contract and financial assistance awards, and supports DOE in its interactions with Congress, other federal agencies, and the public[3].
Regulations overseen
While not directly overseeing regulations, the Office of the General Counsel plays a critical role in shaping DOE's regulatory approach and ensuring legal compliance with existing federal regulations.
Headquarters address
1000 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20585, USA
History
The Office of the General Counsel has been integral to DOE since its formation in 1977, evolving to address the complex legal challenges in energy policy, environmental protection, and national security. It has been involved in major legal proceedings, policy formulation, and the negotiation of significant contracts and international agreements[4].
External links
References
- ↑ "Office of the General Counsel". Department of Energy. https://www.energy.gov/gc/office-general-counsel.
- ↑ "U.S. Department of Energy". DOE. https://www.energy.gov/.
- ↑ "Services". Office of the General Counsel. https://www.energy.gov/gc/services.
- ↑ "History". Office of the General Counsel. https://www.energy.gov/gc/history.