WASHINGTON, D.C. (CitizenWire) — According to a statement today from Hillary Rodham Clinton, Secretary of State, “We are pleased to announce that the Department of Energy has joined the Civilian Response Corps, the U.S. Government’s expeditionary, interagency civilian force dedicated to conflict prevention, response, and peacebuilding.”
The Department of Energy possesses specialized skills and expertise that will add significant value to the Corps. Its experts will join their colleagues from the Department of State; U.S. Agency for International Development; and Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, and Justice in responding to complex crises in countries and regions critical to our national security.
As the national lead for emergency energy response missions, the Department of Energy offers a full range of technical expertise and national laboratory assets. The Department has extensive experience in responding to crises and supporting national security missions in countries such as Haiti and Iraq, as well as engaging in long-term energy security projects in the Middle East, South America, and Central Asia, making the Department of Energy a natural addition to the Civilian Response Corps capability.
The Department of Energy will initially participate by identifying experts to join in the Standby Component of the Civilian Response Corps, consisting of federal employees who voluntarily make themselves available for deployments to crisis areas for up to six months when and as needed.”
To learn more about the Civilian Response Corps, please visit www.state.gov/s/crs.