(211d) Data Is the New Black: Information Is Critical to Policy-Making

One way this Chemical Engineers became a part of policy-making was through providing the information used in the process. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) collects, analyzes, and disseminates independent and impartial energy information to promote sound policymaking, efficient markets, and public understanding of energy and its interaction with the economy and the environment. The Department of Energy Organization Act of 1977 established EIA as the primary federal government authority on energy statistics and analysis, building upon systems and organizations first established in 1974 following the oil market disruption of 1973. Located in Washington, DC, EIA is an organization of about 370 federal employees, many of whom are chemical engineers. Through the EIA website we offer policy makers and the public daily, monthly, quarterly, and annual energy data and analysis products. EIA has won awards for it plain language style and accessibility. Products such as the State Energy Portal, Energy Explained, or the International Energy Outlook speak directly to those wrestling with complex energy problems, and our API and Excel add-in allow everyone instant access to everything they need for sound decision making. EIA also performs special analyses at the direct request of America’s lawmakers.