Committee Reviews Key Interior and DOE Nominees
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today chaired a hearing of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee to consider two of President Trump’s nominees for the Department of the Interior (DOI) and the Department of Energy (DOE). The nominees were Dr. Tim Petty to be Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Water and Science and Dr. Linda Capuano to be Administrator of the Energy Information Administration (EIA).
“Having these nominees before our panel brings us another step closer to getting full teams in place for Secretary Zinke and Secretary Perry, which will allow their agencies to effectively fulfill the important roles they play for our country,” Murkowski said.
During her opening statement, Murkowski emphasized the nominees’ qualifications and her intention to move them quickly through committee.
“Dr. Petty has a wealth of knowledge and expertise on both water and science issues. Once confirmed, it will mark his return to the ‘Water and Science Hallway’ at Interior, having served at DOI under President Bush. He is also supported by faculty at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, where he earned his Ph.D.,” Murkowski said. “Dr. Capuano’s broad experience in the energy and technology industries and robust work history makes her well qualified to be at the helm of the Energy Information Administration. I am confident that both of our nominees are well positioned for these roles, and it is certainly my hope to move their nominations quickly through committee to full Senate confirmation.”
The Energy and Natural Resources Committee has favorably reported a total of 18 nominees, four of whom continue to await confirmation by the full Senate.
Murkowski is chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. An archived video and witness testimony from today’s hearing are available on the committee’s website. Click here and here to view both rounds of her questions for the nominees.
