Hurricane season in the Atlantic begins today and will last through November 30. As the lead Federal agency responsible for coordinating the response to major energy disruptions, the Department of Energy works closely with other Federal agencies, State, local and tribal governments, and our partners in the private sector to prepare for all types of disasters – including hurricanes and other severe weather.

If a major energy supply disruption occurs as the result of a hurricane, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is activated, the Department serves as the lead for Emergency Support Function 12 – also known as “ESF-12” – which is responsible for facilitating the restoration of damaged energy systems, such as oil pipelines or the electric grid. We do this by working with the private sector and State and local officials to assess the impact of a disaster on the local energy infrastructure and helping coordinate the delivery of assets that are needed to quickly repair the damaged infrastructure. In addition, we deploy responders who work directly with the affected utilities and local officials on the ground during a disaster. They provide expertise on a variety of energy issues, and have direct access to subject matter experts back here in Washington.  And these experts can work with our Federal partners to coordinate the appropriate waivers, when needed and appropriate, to further speed restoration efforts.

The key to these efforts is communications and coordination, especially with our partners in the private sector. We work closely on an ongoing basis with the owners and operators of the energy infrastructure, and State energy officials collaborating with them to prepare for energy emergencies and conducting workshops and exercises to test our response plans. In fact, later this month, we will bring together leaders from the private sector, the Federal government, as well as State and local governments for our annual Clear Path energy sector hurricane preparedness exercise. This important event, and others like it, help ensure that we are ready to work together as a team when disasters strike.

Being prepared for severe weather is a shared responsibility. Our partnerships with the public and private sectors are critical to remaining vigilant during hurricane season and throughout the year. But it is also equally important for the public to be prepared. As the President noted last week, there are steps that all Americans can take to ensure that their families and their communities are prepared for disasters. Make plans for your family, build an emergency supply kit, and stay informed so you know what to do before, during, and after a disaster. By working together, we will be better prepared as a nation to respond and quickly recover from hurricanes, and all types of disasters.        

For more information about hurricane preparedness, visit www.ready.gov, www.Hurricanes.gov/Prepare, and our community guidelines for energy emergencies.  

Patricia A. Hoffman
Acting Assistant Secretary, Office of Electricity
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