The Department of Energy said Monday it created a research team for energy policy and other related studies.
Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla issued Department Order DC2023-05-0014 creating the team that would spearhead the harmonization and coordination of efforts to advance the conduct of energy policy research and related studies to address policy gaps, issues and concerns in the sector.
“Now therefore, the foregoing premises considered and pursuant to DOE’s statutory mandate and the provisions of RA 7638, a DOE Research Team comprising of a Steering Committee and its Technical Working Group is hereby created,” the order read.
The DOE said energy research is an important medium for addressing policy issues and concerns in the energy sector.
It said research also provides empirical evidence for the crafting and implementation of sound policy guidelines and issuances, and addresses the need for updated energy data and parameters to establish facts or new conclusions.
The DOE said it is also imperative to harmonize efforts and create synergies among the agency’s technical bureaus to advance energy policy research and related studies to address policy gaps, issues, and concerns in the sector.
It said it is part of its function to formulate policies for the efficient supply and economical use of energy.
The DOE said the steering committee would be composed of the Energy Policy and Planning Bureau director as chairperson.
The members will include directors of the agency’s technical bureaus and services.
Meanwhile, the TWG will be led by the Policy Formulation and Research Division chief while the members will consist of the designated representatives of at least supervisory and/or senior level from the DOE bureaus and service.
The steering committee and the TWG will hold joint policy research and related studies on areas of concern of the energy sector and formulate policy recommendations on current and emerging energy issues based on the results of research and related studies.
They will also collaborate with other government agencies, academe, international bodies or entities, and other countries’ experts on the subject matter for the conduct of energy policy research and related studies.