Theoretical Nuclear Physicist Takes Over as US Secretary of Energy. (May 21, 2013)

The Unites States Senate last week voted 97-0 to confirm Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) theoretical nuclear physicist Ernest Moniz (69) to succeed Steven Chu as US Secretary of Energy. The US Department of Energy currently sports a budget of US$27 billion.

Previously Professor Moniz had served as undersecretary of energy from 1997 to 2001 and as associate director for science in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy from 1995 to 1997. Throughout the whole of the Obama administration he has been part of the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST).

Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), chair of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, shortly after the vote told ScienceInsider: "My Senate colleagues recognize that Dr. Moniz is smart, he is savvy about how the Department of Energy operates because he has been there before, and he has a proven track record of collaboration, which is just what you need when you're leading the Department of Energy."

Over the years Professor Moniz has been a staunch advocate for the use of  natural gas and nuclear power.