The Department of Energy was established with the intent of working towards energy independence. As with any other bureaucracy, it was determined that it would not be able to justify its existence if it solved the problem it was established to solve, so it became a matter of its own survival to manage the problem rather than actually do anything about it.
Establishing energy independence would not only be a good thing in and of itself, but would also make it much harder for a big chunk of the bureaucracy to perpetuate itself.
Establishing energy independence would not only be a good thing in and of itself, but would also make it much harder for a big chunk of the bureaucracy to perpetuate itself. Every NGO, Government Department, Charitable Organization, etc. IS LIKE ANY ORGANISM! They exist to GROW! Even when their "MISSION" is accomplished..., they will try to reinvent themselves to "SOLVE OTHER PROBLEMS"! Been there and, in a pitifully small minority, proposed eliminating ourselves and seeking other positions!