Robert W. Gee Sworn In as DOE Assistant Secretary for Fossil Energy

	Robert W. Gee - DOE's 8th Assistant Secretary for Fossil Energy

On April 29, Robert W. Gee was sworn in as Assistant Secretary for Fossil Energy for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Gee will manage a national technology program to increase natural gas and petroleum supplies and provide cleaner, more efficient ways to use coal and natural gas to generate electricity and alternative fuels.

Gee will also oversee the Clean Coal Technology Demonstration Program, a multi-billion dollar government-industry partnership, the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (the Nation's emergency oil stockpile) and the Naval Petroleum and Oil Shale Reserves.

"Bob's exceptional abilities and experience in energy matters, demonstrated in the private sector, state and Federal government, in Texas and Washington, DC, will ensure these important programs receive the advocacy and attention they deserve," said Secretary of Energy Bill Richardson.

Gee has served as Acting Assistant Secretary for Fossil Energy since December 31, 1998. Prior to that he was DOE's Assistant Secretary for Policy and International Affairs where he played a leading role in the administration's efforts to advance the production of oil and gas and the development of multiple pipelines in the Caspian Sea region of Central Asia. He also oversaw the timely completion of the department's 1998 Comprehensive National Energy Strategy, the administration's long-term blueprint for the country's energy security.

He was appointed to the Public Utility Commission of Texas by Governor Ann Richards, serving from October 1991 until August 1997 and served as its Chairman from 1991 through 1995. Gee practiced public utility regulatory law for 15 years in the public and private sectors, with experience in gas pipeline, electric and transportation public utilities. In addition, he served as an Attorney Advisor at the Interstate Commerce Commission and as a Supervisory Trial Attorney at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Gee also held the position of General Attorney at Tenneco Oil company and was of counsel to the law firm of Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld.

Gee received a Bachelor of Arts degree in government with honors from the University of Texas and a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from the University of Texas School of Law. A Houston native, he is married to Dr. Pauline Wong Gee.

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