Secretary of Energy-Designate Steven Chu Fronts the Committee. (January 24, 2009)

Tuesday, January 13 was Physics Nobel Laureate Steven Chu's day to appear before the US Senate's Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and explain why he should be confirmed to head the Department of Energy.

Below are excepts from his five page statement.

Climate change is a growing and pressing problem. It is now clear that if we continue on our current path, we run the risk of dramatic, disruptive changes to our climate system in the lifetimes of our children and grandchildren. At the same time, we face immediate threats to our economy and our national security that stem from our dependence on oil.

We must make a greater, more committed push towards energy independence and with it a more secure energy system.

President-elect Obama recognizes that we must take sustained action to meet these challenges, and he has put forward a comprehensive, long-term plan to do so. It’s an aggressive plan, but one that I believe is achievable. I would not have accepted the President-elect’s nomination if I had not thought that it was essential to move ahead on this plan... years: a greater commitment to wind, solar, geothermal, and other renewable energy sources; aggressive efforts to increase energy efficiency of our appliances and buildings; more fuel efficient cars and trucks, and a push to develop plug-in hybrids; greater investment in technology to capture and store carbon emissions from coal-fired power plants; a continued commitment to nuclear power and a long-term plan for waste management and disposal; responsible development of domestic oil and natural gas; increased commitment to research and development of new energy technologies; a smarter, more robust transmission and distribution system; and a cap-and-trade system to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.

It will be my primary goal as Secretary to make the Department of Energy a leader in these critical efforts.

Finally, I was proud to be a member of the committee that produced the report “Rising Above the Gathering Storm,” commissioned by Chairman Bingaman and Senator Alexander. The over-arching message of that report is simple: the key to America’s prosperity in the 21st century lies in our ability to nurture and grow our nation’s intellectual capital, particularly in science and technology. As the largest supporter of the physical sciences in the U.S., the Department of Energy plays an essential role in the training, development and employment of our current and future corps of scientists and engineers.

Professor Chu concluded: "The challenges we face will require bipartisan cooperation and sustained effort. I know that President-elect Obama is committed to exactly this kind of effort."