Overview
Dan R. Brouillette (born August 18, 1962) is an American businessman and government official who served as the 15th United States Secretary of Energy from December 3, 2019, to January 20, 2021. He previously held the post of United States Deputy Secretary of Energy from August 2017 until his elevation to secretary. Nominated by President Donald Trump, Brouillette led the Department of Energy (DOE) during the final years of the Trump administration.
Career and government service
Brouillette's professional background spans public and private sectors, including roles in energy policy, intergovernmental affairs and industry. Within the Department of Energy he served first as deputy secretary, a role that made him the department's second-ranking official and primary manager of the DOE's day-to-day operations. In December 2019 he succeeded Rick Perry as secretary after being selected by the president and confirmed by the Senate.
Role and responsibilities as Secretary of Energy
The Secretary of Energy oversees an agency with responsibilities that include national energy policy, scientific research, environmental cleanup of nuclear sites, and the stewardship of the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile and national laboratories. As secretary, Brouillette was responsible for guiding DOE priorities, coordinating with other federal agencies, and representing the department in international and interagency energy discussions. The role also involves significant budgetary and management duties for a department that supports a large research enterprise and critical infrastructure.
Tenure highlights and priorities
- Policy emphasis: During his tenure Brouillette emphasized energy security, reliability of the electric grid, and American energy production. He spoke for policies intended to support domestic energy industries and to maintain a diversified energy portfolio.
- Research and national labs: The department continued support for national laboratory research across basic science, advanced computing, nuclear energy and emerging technologies.
- Response and resilience: The DOE under his leadership also engaged in efforts to support infrastructure resilience and coordination with state and private sector energy partners, particularly amid evolving priorities and emergencies.
Confirmation and succession
Brouillette's initial confirmation as Deputy Secretary came by a 79–17 vote of the United States Senate on August 3, 2017. After being nominated to serve as Secretary of Energy on October 18, 2019, he was confirmed by the Senate on December 2, 2019, by a 70–15 vote and assumed office the next day. He served until the transition on January 20, 2021, when the incoming administration named a successor.
Notable facts and distinctions
Brouillette's leadership of the DOE occurred at a time when federal energy policy was a matter of significant public debate, touching on climate, technology deployment, and national security. His tenure reflected continuity in managing the department's complex mix of scientific, regulatory and security-related missions. For more information about the Department of Energy and its activities, see the agency's main resources or related profiles of recent secretaries and deputy secretaries.
References and official materials about his nominations and confirmations are available through congressional records and DOE publications. For background on the office of the secretary and the department's functions, consult official DOE pages and public records maintained by Congress.