As of 2007, the Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management is responsible for several initiatives, including implementation of a $2 billion, 10-year initiative to develop a new generation of environmentally sound clean coal technologies, and the nation's Strategic Petroleum Reserve and Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve.

The Assistant Secretary manages about 1000 scientists, engineers, technicians and administrative staff.

[1] The Assistant Secretary for Fossil Energy and Carbon Management is appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate.

[1][2] The current assistant secretary is Brad Crabtree, nominated by President Joe Biden and confirmed by the U.S. Senate, assuming the office on May 5, 2022.

[6] The Assistant Secretary is paid at level IV of the Executive Schedule,[2] receiving a basic annual salary of $143,000 as of 2007.