Former Texas Republican Gov. Rick Perry is reportedly the choice of President-elect Donald Trump to become the next Secretary of Energy.
Perry, who became Texas governor after George W. Bush became president, is also a U.S. Air Force veteran. In addition to support energy research and development, DOE also oversees the national stockpile of nuclear weapons and promotes non-proliferation.
As a one-time candidate for the GOP presidential nomination, Perry had voiced support for closing DOE.
Another purported candidate, a Democrat, Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia, evidently talked with Trump but decided to stay in the Senate.
The selection of Perry as the Trump choice was quickly hailed by the National Rural Electric Cooperatives Association (NRECA) as well as a group called Balance Energy for Texas.
“We look forward to working with Gov. Perry, once confirmed, to meet the energy challenges of the future,” said NRECA President and CEO Jim Matheson.
“No one is better prepared to protect the nation’s energy interests than Rick Perry. For 14 years, Governor Perry served as chief executive of the largest energy producing and consuming state in the nation,” said BET General Counsel Michael Nasi. “He understands that free market principles and an abundant, diverse, and affordable energy portfolio are critical to our country’s competitiveness and economic success.”
