§5812 Officers of Administration

Summary

The President must appoint an Administrator to lead the Energy Research and Development Administration, and the Senate must confirm that person. The Administrator must be a civilian and cannot be named within two years after leaving active duty as a commissioned officer of a regular Armed Force. The President also must appoint, with Senate approval, a Deputy Administrator. Both must be chosen from people with the right background and experience to run energy research and development programs. The President must also appoint six Assistant Administrators, each in charge of one area (fossil energy; nuclear energy; environment and safety; conservation; solar, geothermal, and advanced energy systems; and national security), chosen for their relevant experience. The Administrator appoints a General Counsel who serves at the Administrator’s pleasure and may name up to eight other officers as career positions (subject to section 2201(d) of this title). A Director of Military Application, who must be an active commissioned officer in general or flag rank, is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the Administrator; that director’s duties, qualifications, and pay match those under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.). Officers do the jobs the Administrator assigns, and one will be given special responsibility for international cooperation in energy and related environmental research and development. The Deputy Administrator acts for the Administrator during absence, disability, or vacancy, or else an Assistant Administrator, the General Counsel, or another official named by the Administrator will act.