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that a government agency with access to national security information develops data and plans to address threats to the grid and assist the private sector in securing it. Although OE does not stand out as a problematic office, additional focus and priority could be given to its original mission of working on grid reliability and resilience. OE could be combined

with CESER (as well as what is left of the Grid Deployment Office if it is eliminated).

• Eliminate applied programs. OE administers grant programs for things like energy storage and the testing of grid-enhancing technologies (GETs). These programs should be eliminated. The next Administration should work with Congress to eliminate all DOE applied energy programs including OE (except perhaps those related to basic science for new energy technology).

New Policies

• §=6Prioritize grid security. OE (along with CESER if they are combined) should focus on the security of critical infrastructure equipment used in the bulk power system as envisioned in President Trump’s May 2020 Executive Order 13920 and a related December 2020 Prohibition Order,”° which was revoked in April 2021 by President Biden.” In addition, CESER/OE should:

1. Focus on the interdependence of and threats to electric generation and natural gas pipelines.

2. Continue to focus on Defense Critical Electric Infrastructure.

3. Work with FERC and the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) to ensure that there is sufficient dispatchable on-demand generation available to generate the electricity the grid needs when intermittent generation like wind and solar is not available.

• End funding of programs for commercial technology and deployment. The next Administration should work with Congress to eliminate nonessential funding of commercial technology and deployment. These activities can be conducted by the private sector.

Budget

OE’s FY 2021 enacted budget was $211,720,000, and DOE has requested $297,386,000 for FY 2023.78