U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Office of EERE

Steven Chalk

Photo of Steve Chalk.

Deputy Assistant Secretary for Renewable Energy
Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Steve Chalk is the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Renewable Energy in the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) at the U.S. Department of Energy. Steve is responsible for managing the government's research, development, and commercialization efforts for clean and renewable energy technologies.

Steve has previously managed EERE's Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Program and most recently managed the Solar Energy and Building Technologies Programs.

While leading the Solar Energy Technologies program, Chalk was responsible for planning and implementing the new Solar America Initiative which is part of President Bush's Advanced Energy Initiative. The goal of the Solar America Initiative is to make solar technologies cost competitive in most applications by 2015.

In the building technologies area, Steve led DOE's efforts toward net zero energy homes and buildings. The portfolio includes component research such as solid state lighting, market transformation activities such as Energy Star, and appliance standards regulations.

Before this, Steve led the President's Hydrogen Fuel Initiative where he oversaw President's Bush's 5-year, $1.2 billion research investment in hydrogen production, delivery, storage, and fuel cells. This portfolio also includes included hydrogen safety, codes and standards, and education activities.

Earlier in his career at DOE, Steve managed technology development programs in fuel cells, diesel emissions control, and materials for DOE's advanced automotive technology office. Steve also worked in the nuclear energy field where he oversaw DOE test programs for tritium production. Steve started his career with the Navy developing propellants and explosives for conventional weapons.

He holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Maryland and a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the George Washington University.