by Jim Tankersley
Barack Obama is done appointing his Cabinet. Now come the questions.
The Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee announced today it will dive into confirmation hearings on Energy Secretary nominee Steven Chu and Interior Secretary nominee Ken Salazar. Chu's is scheduled for Jan. 13, a week after newly elected senators take office. Salazar's follows two days later.
Chu is a Nobel-winning physicist who directs the Lawrence Berkeley National Labratory. Salazar is a senator from Colorado and, technically, a member of the committee that will conduct his confirmation hearing. If you like the "Six Degrees" game, here's a quick academic link between the nominees: Chu is on extended leave from a professorship at Stanford University. One of Salazar's daughters is a Stanford undergraduate.
The committee press release hints at a fairly smooth ride for both men.
"Dr. Chu and Sen. Salazar both are highly qualified and experienced," says Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M), the committee chairman, "and I look forward to hearing their views on the important work which our President-elect has asked them to undertake."
Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, poised to become the committee's top Republican, says this: "I look forward to hearing from the nominees, both of whom are very accomplished, about how we can ensure our energy security. I've always had a good working relationship with Sen. Salazar, and I've spoken with Dr. Chu and believe I will have the same with him. The administration and Congress must work together to develop sensible and balanced public policy to meet our energy needs and curb our greenhouse gas emissions without hampering the economy."
Comments
Prof. Chu will probably be asking them the questions.
Posted by: ornery | December 19, 2008 10:29 PM
The upcoming cabinet confirmation hearings will determine whether Republicans are the loyal opposition or the party of obstructionism for obstructionism's sake. The good money is on the latter...
http://www.political-buzz.com/
Posted by: matt | December 20, 2008 8:07 AM
Want to pay three times as much for a gallon of gas? Then by all means approve Mr. Chu as Energy Secretary.
As the Wall Street Journal recently wriote:
"In a sign of one major internal difference [with Obama], Mr. Chu has called for gradually ramping up gasoline taxes over 15 years to coax consumers into buying more-efficient cars and living in neighborhoods closer to work.
"Somehow we have to figure out how to boost the price of gasoline to the levels in Europe," Mr. Chu, who directs the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in California, said in an interview with The Wall Street Journal in September."
When thinking about Obama and energy policy, the movie title "Weird Science" comes to mind.
Posted by: Change You Can Believe In | December 20, 2008 4:20 PM
Hey, on Car-Talk yesterday they were saying for congress to up the tax 50 cents per gallon which in turn would pay for the road/bridge improvements. Do it now while a gallon of gas is averaging around $1.50. People would buy less gas and it also will force the auto industry to make more fuel efficient cars. Just look at what is our recent history. It could work or maybe not.
Posted by: lochnessmonster | December 21, 2008 7:18 AM