The U.S. federal government plays a pervasive role in the supply, delivery, and use of energy resources. Defining regulation as a set of governmental programs or activities intended to yield results that otherwise would not have occurred, as of 2002, other than military and national security operations, federal government energy regulation extended through 150 energy-related programs and 11 energy-related tax preferences. These programs and activities address a variety of energy concerns, including supply, environment and health effects, low-income assistance, basic research, delivery infrastructure, conservation, system reliability and physical security, market competition, and education. There are at least 18 major federal departments and agencies that have substantial energy-related responsibilities, including the Department of Energy (DOE), the Interior Department, the Department of Health and Human Services, the ...