The Secretary of Energy

Washington, DC 20585

May 4, 2020

The Honorable Ralph Northam

Governor of Virginia

P.O. Box 1475

Richmond, Virginia 23218

Dear Governor Northam:

Last month, the Department of Energy (DOE) sent a letter to you concerning how permitting 

essential workers within the energy sector to continue providing safe and efficient energy 

services was of the utmost importance in sustaining our Nation’s economy. In addition, the 

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the National Association of Regulatory 

Utility Commissioners took the important step of issuing a joint statement to the states urging 

that they consider utility workers as essential to ensure access to restricted zones to help 

protect continued electric service. Today, we both wish to share our appreciation for your 

swift actions and also highlight additional measures we must now undertake together to

ensure those essential critical energy infrastructure workers1 receive our continued assistance 

and support, just as their actions support the needs of our public health community at this 

time. 

Ensuring the production, transportation, and distribution of energy to all of our citizenry, 

critical businesses and government services is essential to good order during this global health 

and economic crisis. Critical energy infrastructure workers are fundamental to maintaining 

safe and efficient energy services, serving as the backbone of America’s prosperity;

generating and distributing the energy that empowers our people and businesses in global 

commerce and enables public health and safety. Transportation, water, emergency services, 

telecommunications, and manufacturing represent only a few of the energy sector’s critical 

downstream dependencies. Reliance on energy is a key interdependency amongst all Critical 

Infrastructure sectors, making energy reliability and resilience a fundamental need for 

national safety and security. 

As the COVID-19 pandemic evolves and has even wider reaching implications, we cannot 

overstate that the Essential Critical Energy Infrastructure Workforce includes workers from 

across the energy sector − regardless of the energy source, segment of the system, or 

infrastructure the worker is involved in − who are needed to maintain the reliability and 

security of the energy system. In addition to the need for workers and contractors to have 

continued freedom of movement in restricted and quarantined areas or within states and 

across state boundaries, it is equally important that this group of workers have access to 

personal protective equipment (PPE), testing services, and cleaning supplies in a manner that

allows for uninterrupted sustainment of this critical lifeline sector. 

 1 DHS CISA Memorandum On Identification Of Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers During COVID-19 

Response: https://www.cisa.gov/publication/guidance-essential-critical-infrastructure-workforce
2

For our part, DOE is working with other Federal agencies to support your state’s actions in 

several key areas that include: continued access for essential workers, waivers for fuel carrier 

standards and commercial driver’s licenses, and priority access to PPE, testing, and cleaning 

supplies for grid operators. It is our belief that the combination of Federal and state action 

will limit the risk to energy infrastructure and ensure our Nation receives the energy services 

it needs to operate securely throughout this national emergency.

In addition, FERC has issued orders and conducted actions including relaxing regulatory 

burdens and extending filing deadlines, encouraging filings from the regulated community for 

compliance and cost relief, streamlining the review and approval process through temporary 

delegation of authorities, and issuing a policy statement making it clear that FERC will give 

filings made to assure the reliable operation of energy infrastructure the highest priority and 

expedited consideration during this unprecedented national emergency. 

DOE and FERC remain dedicated to working closely with governors, mayors, county 

officials, and tribal leaders to ensure the safety of the workforce and to ensure the continued 

operation and security of the energy sector in support of our Nation’s economy and the safety 

of our citizens.

Lastly, we would ask that every opportunity be explored to coordinate closely on local 

closures that may impact DOE facilities. Our missions often require advanced planning for 

minimum safe operations at the many labs, plants, and sites, and several classes of employees 

require in-person access to these facilities in support of mission essential functions in addition 

to these safety requirements. As an example, five DOE labs are hard at work fighting the 

virus by supporting the High Performance Computing Consortium that provides COVID-19 

researchers worldwide with access to the world’s most powerful high performance computing 

resources that have the potential of significantly advancing the pace of a scientific discovery 

that stops the virus. Your support for continued access to the labs, plants, and sites allows for 

this critical work to continue uninterrupted.

Please accept our heartfelt thanks for your perseverance and leadership during the ongoing 

response to COVID-19. Your efforts in supporting the citizens of this great Nation are 

sincerely appreciated by every member of DOE and FERC, and you have our full and 

unwavering support as this national emergency continues to evolve.

Very respectfully,

Dan Brouillette Neil Chatterjee

Secretary Chairman

U.S. Department of Energy Federal Energy Regulatory Commission