Obama’s New Energy and EPA Appointments

Jim Lane
 

Ernest J. Moniz is the nominee for US Secretary of Energy

In Washington, President Barack Obama nominated MIT professor Ernest J. Moniz as US Secretary of Energy, replacing Steven Chu, and nominated Gina McCarthy as EPA Administrator.

Moniz is currently serving as the Cecil and Ida Green Professor of Physics and Engineering Systems, as well as the director of the MIT Energy Initiative (MITEI) and the Laboratory for Energy and the Environment. He was formerly undersecretary of Energy and associate director of the White House office of science and technology policy under President Bill Clinton and is a prominent academic voice in support of an “all-of-the-above” energy policy.

“President Obama has made an excellent choice in his selection of Professor Moniz as Energy Secretary,” said MIT President L. Rafael Reif. “His leadership of MITEI has been in the best tradition of the Institute MIT students and faculty focusing their expertise and creativity on solving major societal challenges, a history of working with industry on high-impact solutions, and a culture of interdisciplinary research.” Reif continued, “We have been fortunate that Professor Moniz has put his enthusiasm, deep understanding of energy, and commitment to a clean energy future to work for MIT and the Energy Initiative and we are certain he will do the same for the American people.”

According to MIT, more than two-thirds of the research projects supported through MITEI have been in renewable energy, energy efficiency, carbon management, and enabling tools such as biotechnology, nanotechnology and advanced modeling. The largest single area of funded research is in solar energy, with more than 100 research projects in this area alone.

Gina McCarthy is Obama’s nominee for new EPA Administrator

Over at EPA, McCarthy has been serving as Assistant Administrator for EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation. Prior to her confirmation, McCarthy served as the Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection. In her 25 year career, she has worked at both the state and local levels on critical environmental issues and helped coordinate policies on economic growth, energy, transportation and the environment.

“Today’s selection of Ernie Moniz for Secretary of Energy and Gina McCarthy as Administrator of EPA bodes well for the future of US energy and environmental policy,” said Mike McAdams, president of the Advanced Biofuels Association. “Dr. Moniz has an extraordinary understanding of the energy sector and is a globally respected leader in the space.  Ms. McCarthy over the last four years has demonstrated her ability to lead regulatory efforts on a number of areas including Advanced Biofuels.  The Advanced Biofuels Association applauds their individual contributions to our country and applauds and supports their nominations.”

Brooke Coleman, Executive Director of the Advanced Ethanol Council (AEC), applauded President Obama’s nomination of Gina McCarthy as Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

“Gina McCarthy is the perfect choice. Her reputation as a doer with a deep understanding of the mechanics of critical air and energy regulations is well-earned. She has been very engaged on the development of the cellulosic biofuels industry and the administration of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). She clearly knows how to get things done inside and outside of the agency, and the advanced ethanol industry looks forward to working with Gina McCarthy and her team.”

Bob Dinneen, President and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association, today welcomed President Obama’s nominations of Gina McCarthy as Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Ernest Moniz as the next Secretary of Energy (DoE).

“Gina McCarthy is a very solid choice for EPA. She is knowledgeable, willing to listen, and straight-forward. She knows the EPA inside and out and has typically approached challenges with a common-sense determination to resolve them in a timely manner. As a Bostonian, I have to say I like her accent too.

“RFA and the ethanol producers we represent look forward to meeting with Secretary-designee Moniz to update him on the state of the U.S. ethanol industry, our track record of success in fostering greater energy independence, and the exciting results of ongoing investment in next generation biofuels.”

There are ever more way to earn RINs although, suffice to say, it would have been more exciting if there had been go-to major projects that were immediate beneficiaries. Disclosure: None.
Jim Lane is editor and publisher  of Biofuels Digest and BioInvest Digest where this article was originally published. Biofuels Digest is the most widely read Biofuels daily read by 14,000+ organizations. Subscribe here.