Heinrich Statement On Energy Secretary Nomination

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, issued the following statement regarding the Administration’s nomination of former Undersecretary of Energy Dr. Ernest Moniz to serve as the next Secretary of Energy, replacing current Energy Secretary Steven Chu:

“Dr. Ernest Moniz’s expertise in scientific research and his commitment to public service makes him a well-qualified candidate to be the next Secretary of Energy. As a physicist, the director of the Energy Initiative at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and the former Undersecretary of Energy, Dr. Moniz is equipped to tackle our country’s current and future energy challenges, including addressing climate change and moving us closer to energy independence. 

“I had the opportunity to meet with Dr. Moniz last year at MIT in his physics lab, and I’m encouraged by his thorough understanding and acumen of renewable energy development and research of low-carbon alternatives to fossil fuel.  

“New Mexico’s Sandia and Los Alamos labs heavily depend on strong leadership from the Department of Energy, and I look forward to discussing with him our labs’ energy research and nuclear weapons stockpile programs.  I will also stress the importance of the department’s ongoing cleanup efforts. 

“I look forward to being involved in his confirmation process and learning more about his qualifications and vision for this important post.”

Once Dr. Ernest Moniz is formally nominated by the president, a confirmation hearing in the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources will be scheduled.