Question: If our energy policy is still a "hodgepodge", why are we spending over $20 billion per year on the Department of Energy?

RealClearPolitics - Obama Concedes Energy Policy Remains "a Hodgepodge"

"We've got more work to do," Obama continued. "Our energy policy still is just a hodgepodge, and for all the progress we've made, we're not where we need to be in making sure that this is an energy-efficient economy that is running on all cylinders."

United States Department of Energy

Formed August 4, 1977
...
Employees 16,000 federal (2009)[1]
93,094 contract (2008)
Annual budget $24.1 billion (2009)