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October 2022 + Issue 10
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Happy new fiscal year (FY) 2023! Thank you to everyone for your support in helping close out FY22. I appreciate that it was a lot of work in a short period of time, requiring your attention to not only actively manage your programs, but also to obligate remaining FY22 funding, formulate and draft the FY24 budget, prepare FY23 AOPs, and work on end-of-year performance reviews. You did all of this with grace and dedication.
As you know, OE is now operating under a new organizational structure that was made effective September 25, 2022. This change gives OE the opportunity to enhance our focus on priorities that more align with the Under Secretary for Science and Innovation’s portfolio and goals, while also ensuring OE successfully meets its mission to accelerate the transformation of our Nation’s power grid through research, development, and pilot demonstration. OE’s top priority as we implement our new structure is to accelerate our recruitment efforts in order to strengthen our ability to execute our mission. We have a goal of filling half of the vacancies by early 2023, and we have already begun making progress.
First, let me again welcome Miles Fernandez to OE as our new Chief of Staff, as well as remind everyone that President Biden recently nominated Gene Rodrigues for Assistant Secretary of Energy in the Office of Electricity. The confirmation process will take time, but we stand ready to welcome him aboard. I’m also happy to announce that we had a new budget analyst join OE/CBO in October and we will have a new R&D employee joining OE in early December. We will continue to share updates as they are available on Gene’s confirmation, our progress on recruitments, and introduce new staff over the coming weeks.
This fiscal year has been a difficult one because of the multiple organizational shifts impacting OE, the shortage of staff, the re-entry to a new hybrid work environment, and many other challenges. But through it all, you rose to the occasion and adapted while continuing to meet the OE mission. I, and the OE senior leadership, sincerely thank you for stepping up to the challenge every single day.
Please know that your teamwork and going the extra mile to support the Grid Deployment Office (GDO), both operationally and programmatically, as well as leading the implementation of the Office of Clean Energy Demonstration’s (OCED) energy storage program, do not go unrecognized. It is because of your support and contribution that these organizations are fulfilling their mission.
I look forward to working with all of you on the new and exciting opportunities ahead.
Best wishes for the upcoming holidays. May they be a time of peace, joy, rest, and good health.
Second Annual Energy Storage Grand Challenge Summit
On September 27-28, OE hosted the 2nd Annual U.S. Department of Energy Storage Grand Challenge Summit. This effort was led by Michael Pesin, Eric Hsieh and Ben Shrager. The Summit featured remarks from Deputy Secretary David Turk, as well as Under Secretary of Science and Innovation, Dr. Geri Richmond.
The hybrid event was held at Argonne National Laboratory with 175 in-person attendees and more than 300 virtual attendees. Attendees from academia, industry, DOE National Labs, Federal agencies, state offices, and tribes provided DOE with ideas on how to facilitate new connections to achieve the Energy Storage Grand Challenge and Long Duration Storage Shot goals. Participants heard an overview of major DOE activities, learned how DOE has addressed energy storage needs and barriers, and had an opportunity to provide input on additional activities DOE could undertake in the near to medium term.
New Correspondence Tracking System Set to Launch
"Going Digital!” – Technology advancements do not have to be limited to the grid. To improve OE’s internal operations, we have created, and will soon deploy, an OE concurrence and correspondence list tracker within SharePoint. The tracker uses Microsoft Power Automate as an application tool to manage executive and subject-matter-expert input, provide status of Executive Secretariat (ExecSec) correspondence working through internal reviews, and document concurrence of ExecSec deliverables.
This tracker will manage all the complexities of organizational concurrence requirements and transition hard-copy paper processes into a complete digital signature workflow through completion. Several training sessions were provided to staff, but don't hesitate to reach out to Kathy Bittner (Kathy.Bittner@hq.doe.gov) with any questions.
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OE AGR&D Offsite
In June, the AGR&D Division hosted a full day strategic offsite that provided a great opportunity for staff to meet in person and to introduce newer members to the team. Corporate Business Office (CBO) leadership also joined the meeting to take part in the strategic discussions.
During the offsite, OE staff brainstormed and shared ideas on the top priorities for the future of OE’s RD&D programs. The team assessed their existing activities to consider any gaps that could be addressed with new initiatives. The group ended the day with a friendly "elevator pitch" competition that put staff on the spot to pitch their programs to celebrities in far-flung vacation destinations.
Upcoming Accountability Drill - October 13
On Thursday October 13, there will be a DOE accountability drill. It is important for all federal and contractor employees to take a moment to review their information in the DOE AWARE system in order to be accounted for during accountability drills, exercises or actual continuity events. Please be sure to let your supervisor know if you will be out on October 13 and will not be able to respond to the drill in a timely manner. If you have any questions on updating AWARE, please contact Jayne Faith (Jayne.Faith@hq.doe.gov).
To update DOE AWARE System:
- on the bottom right hand of your screen, left click on the /\. Several icons will appear.
- Right click on the white and purple globe
- Select "Update my Info"
- Update your profile and hit save
If you have any questions on updating AWARE, please contact Jayne Faith.
2022 Combined Federal Campaign
The 2022 Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) kicked off this week with Stewart Cedres as the OE CFC coordinator. There are many ways to give:
- Consider giving through Payroll Deduction. Consider designating recurring gifts from each paycheck for a greater impact over time.
- Consider giving to Multiple Charities.
- Consider pledging volunteer hours.
- The Office of Electricity donation code is: 2RJ2TX
- The zip code is 20585
Participation in CFC is voluntary, and employees who volunteer or participate must do so on their personal time. Learn more and get started at: GiveCFC.org or reaching out to Stewart Cedres at Stewart.Cedres@hq.doe.gov. The campaign will end on January 14, 2023. New this year – a mobile app! Learn more at CFC Donor Pledging System (opm.gov)
Don’t Forget About Our SharePoint Resources
We have lots of information to help you get comfortable with SharePoint, including our user guide and all of our training resources. Visit the OE SharePoint Intranet Knowledge Base for all the latest information.
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Public Service Loan Forgiveness - October 31 Deadline
Federal student loan borrowers can get credit for payments that previously did not qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) or Temporary Expanded Public Service Loan Forgiveness, until October 31, 2022. You can learn more about the waiver and if it applies to you at StudentAid.gov/PSLFWaiver plus the full DOE message is available here: Public Service Loan Forgiveness for Federal Employees | Inside DOE (energy.gov). If interested, you must take the steps necessary to qualify for the Limited PSLF Waiver no later than October 31, 2022.
Performance Management and Individual Development Plans
Remember that the Performance Management Spotlight is available on HCnet. As each phase of the performance management cycle occurs, both employees and managers can visit the respective resources provided to aid them in that portion of the performance management cycle. General resources for the performance management cycle are also provided at the site.
Closing FY22 plans and creating FY23 performance plans is also the time to update your Individual Development Plan (IDP). OE staff can learn about IDP development on the Training & Conferences section of the OE Energy Hub, which offers easy access to training and conference policies, and fillable forms.
Grid Deployment Office Realignment
With the Grid Deployment Office (GDO) realignment effective August 28, OE saw many colleagues from the Electricity Delivery Division and the AGR&D FEMA team move to GDO. On August 30, Terri Lee shared the signed Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between OE and GDO that established the guidelines and resources OE will use to provide administrative, procurement, and human resources facilitation services to GDO through December 31, 2022 (or as otherwise noted in the final MOA).
OE wishes our colleagues that transferred to GDO all the best and continued success. It has been a great pleasure working with everyone and OE looks forward to continued collaboration between offices.
As for the future of OE, Acting PDAS Gil Bindewald announced an internal OE restructuring designed to position OE to build a stronger partnership with the science community. This shift will better highlight OE’s core research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) priorities and capabilities, as well as strengthening its focus on innovative clean energy technology and development.
This reorganization, made effective September 25th, also supports the Department’s recent realignment of functions between the Under Secretary for Science and Innovation (S4) and the Under Secretary for Infrastructure (S3) to accelerate the research, development, and pilot demonstration of key game-changing technologies, while providing a focused approach to large scale demonstration and technology deployment, respectively.
OE’s new structure has the full support from Secretary Granholm and Under Secretary of Science and Innovation, Dr. Geri Richmond, as they look to OE to lead in ensuring grid reliability and grid system integration through innovative RD&D. Slides from the Town Hall are available on the OE Energy Hub: OE Town Hall September 21, 2022 (sharepoint.com).
The current org chart highlights the leadership openings in the new division. For the time being, Michael Pesin will be overseeing the teams for both the Grid Systems and Components division (OE-10), as well as the Grid Controls and Communications division (OE-20). We are working on details and other opportunities, and will pass on updates as approvals come through and we are able to make announcements.
OE June Picnic
In mid-June, OE hosted an onsite picnic lunch at DOE Headquarters. Following reentry to a hybrid workplace in March, many of our staff work different telework schedules and are not in the office together. The picnic brought together OE friends and colleagues after more than two years of maximum telework.
Under Secretary Richmond joined the festivities to help distribute awards for years of Federal Service from 2020 and 2021.
COVID-19 Protocol Updates
On August 11, 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) streamlined its existing COVID-19 guidance. Accordingly, the Safer Federal Workforce Task Force (SFWT) issued updated guidance. DOE’s COVID-19 Workplace Safety and Reentry Framework has been updated consistent with the new CDC and SFWT guidance.
OE has a section on the OE Energy Hub with links to the safety protocols and DOE compilation of information on PowerPedia. The COVID-19 Hotline (202-586-2683 or COVID-19inquiries@hq.doe.gov) remains active for accepting information on positive COVID-19 cases. Consistent with the updated protocol, positive cases only need to be reported if you have been onsite within the last 10 days of infection. Thank you for your continued diligence and for honoring the choices of your peers.
Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey
Thanks again to those who participated in the 2022 Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey (FEVS). OE’s final participation rate was 82%, which meant special recognition for OE as one of eleven organizations exceeding the 77% response rate goal!
We are happy to return to the regular FEVS cycle. OE expects to receive the Organizational Management Report in December. As usual, the reports will be posted on the OE Energy Hub, along with prior year results.
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Service Milestones
Service Milestones celebrate DOE employees when they reach 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, or more, years of Federal Service. OE employees are honored with a printed certificate and are presented with a lapel pin. Congratulations to our OE team members celebrating federal service milestones from June to September 2022:
15 Years: Theresa Brown Shute
35 Years: Dan Ton
Employee Recognition
OE senior leadership values our employees’ contributions to OE’s goals and objectives, and rewards individuals and teams for specific achievements throughout the year. Employees are recognized in several ways including Special Act Awards, On-The-Spot Awards (individual or group), Time-Off Awards, and the Annual OE Employee Award for Excellence.
The following awards were made in the previous quarter:
Time off Awards: Eric Hsieh, Chris Irwin, Fernando Palma, Andre Pereira, Ben Shrager, Vinod Siberry
Special Act Awards: Gil Bindewald, Theresa Brown Shute, Jayne Faith, Joseph Hughes, Alireza Ghassemian, Sandra Jenkins, Rusty Perrin, Jay Schell,
On-The-Spot Awards: Stacy Byrd, Jefferson “JD” Davis, Fernando Dickens
OE also awarded a number of staff specifically for their contributions in support of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL).
Leadership Awards:
OE Senior Leaders Group Award: Gil Bindewald, Theresa Brown Shute, Jayne Faith, Joseph Hughes, and Rusty Perrin
Individual Special Act: Eric Hsieh
Energy Storage Group Award: Imre Gyuk, Vinod Siberry, Ben Shrager, and Andre Pereira
Individual Special Acts: Stacy Byrd, Chris Irwin, Kristen Nawoj, Joe Paladino, and Jay Schell
On-The-Spot: Greg Frank
Welcome to OE!
- Effective September 6, Miles Fernandez joined OE as the new Chief of Staff (COS) and is replacing Whitney Muse who transferred to GDO in August. Miles joins OE after serving as the Director of the Office of the Executive Secretariat. Prior to his time with DOE, Miles served as the Director of the Office of the Secretary at the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and was the youngest member of the party's leadership team. He previously served as the DNC's Youth & Seniors Deputy Engagement Director. Miles started his career at the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. A first generation Filipino-American, Miles was the first in his family to graduate from college when he earned a B.A. from the University of Washington. Miles’ office is in the OE Front Office, 8H-033.
- Effective June 20, Stacy Rogers became a permanent member of the Corporate Business Operations Division Workforce Development Team. Stacy comes to OE from the National Energy Technology Laboratory, and will continue to serve as the training lead for OE as well as overseeing onboarding and offboarding efforts for the office. Stacy will join OE remotely from West Virginia.
- Effective June 20, Bertrina Lyons joins OE from the Energy Information Administration. She will be part of the Corporate Business Operations Division, under the Workforce Development Team. Bertrina will be responsible for OE recruitments and personnel actions, and will support OE supervisors and their staff. She will be a point of contact for OE's performance management program and joins OE remotely from Maryland.
- Effective October 10, 2022, Wesley Yurgaites joins OE from EOP, LLC Inc. Wesley also joins the CBO Division and will be a part of the Budget Team where he will be responsible for assisting with budget activities for OE. Wes will be seated in the 7H-073 suite.
- Effective October 23, 2022, Joseph Paladino returns to OE as part of the Grid Controls and Communications Division. He will serve as the Senior Advisor to the Deputy Assistant Secretary. Joe will be seated in the 8G-048 suite.
Details
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Since July, Lee Tucker has been on detail to OE from the Office of Environmental Management and has served as OE’s Acting Director of Communications. With the end of his detail on September 30, we thank Lee for sharing new ideas and his support of the program. Jayne Faith is now serving as the Acting Communications Director.
Farewell and Thank You!
- Effective August 28, Chris Lawrence left OE for an opportunity in the Western Area Power Administration as the DC Office Legislative Liaison.
- Effective August 28, David Howard transferred to the Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security and Emergency Response, where he will be working in the Risk Management, Tools, and Technologies Division.
OE Executive Administrative Assistants
Three Executive Administrative Assistants (EA) are supporting OE: Zoraa Gbeintor, Lillie Campbell, and Quintana Coachman. There will be an EA available onsite each business day in the Front Office. The EA team supports OE as follows, but will also work together to ensure seamless support across all the Divisions, particularly in light of the new OE organizational structure:
Lillie Campbell – Gil Bindewald
Quintana Coachman – Michael Pesin
Zoraa Gbeintor – Terri Lee
Electricity Trivia
Question: What is the relationship between geckos and electricity?
Answer: A gecko can climb a wall thanks to the difference between the charges of the surface of its feet and the wall. This difference enables it to “stick” to the wall without sliding.
Question: Who was the first person known to observe electrical force?
Answer: Greek philosopher Thales of Miletus in around 600 BC. Thales noted that after rubbing a piece of amber with fur, it attracted feathers and pieces of straw, in what we now know to be static electricity.
If you have suggestions for future newsletters, please send them to Jayne Faith at Jayne.Faith@hq.doe.gov.
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