Energy Department loses two top officials

Two big departures — and a promotion — at the Energy Department: Undersecretary for Energy Kristina Johnson and Matt Rogers, who advises Secretary Steven Chu on implementing the massive energy programs in the 2009 stimulus law, are both leaving.

Cathy Zoi, who is currently Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (and once ran Al Gore’s Alliance for Climate Protection), will become acting Undersecretary next month after Johnson leaves.

Chu announced the departures in an e-mail to DOE staff Thursday evening. He said Johnson is returning to academic life, but did not provide other details.

“During her tenure, Kristina worked tirelessly and successfully to bring greater cohesion to our energy and environment programs. She also played a key role in ensuring the Recovery Act projects were of the highest caliber so they could have the greatest impact on the country. Her experience as an entrepreneur, innovator and educator have served us well and I wish her all the best in her next endeavor,” Chu wrote.

Johnson, an electrical engineer, came to DOE in 2009 from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, where she served as the school’s provost and senior vice president for academic affairs. She was dean of Duke University's Pratt School of Engineering from 1999 to 2007.

Chu brought Rogers —  formerly a senior partner at McKinsey and Co. — on board right after the stimulus was signed into law in early 2009. Chu wrote that Rogers “kept our efforts focused, determined and on track — overcoming the obstacles and risks involved in such an ambitious undertaking.”

Rogers’s planned departure date has been known since he joined DOE, according to Chu’s message announcing the senior adviser for Recovery Act implementation is leaving.

“We’ve known his timeline from the beginning, but are nonetheless sad to see him go,” Chu wrote, noting that he has asked Rogers to join the Secretary of Energy Advisory Board.

Chu’s message praises DOE staff and contractors for their work implementing the stimulus law, which pumped tens of billions of dollars into various efficiency, renewable energy and other DOE programs.

“Over the last 19 months, the Recovery Act has allowed us to make investments that are spurring new industries and helping put our country in position to lead the global clean energy race. This would not have happened without the efforts of our employees and contractors who have worked tirelessly to get the job done, and get it done right,” Chu wrote.