Sen. Murkowski Comments on the Nomination of Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry for DOE Secretary

December 14, 2016
11:15 AM

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today issued the following statement on President-elect Donald Trump’s nomination of former Texas Gov. Rick Perry as Secretary of the Department of Energy.

“I welcome the President-elect’s nomination of former Gov. Rick Perry to be Secretary of Energy. I strongly believe the leadership at this Department should have a broad understanding of the need to increase access to energy, make it more affordable, and improve environmental performance – all key factors that should drive our nation’s innovation policy. As a former governor of Texas, Rick recognizes the economic and security benefits of technology innovation and an energy supply that is diverse, reliable, and affordable. I look forward to meeting with Gov. Perry to discuss a wide range of important issues, including the high cost of energy in Alaska, the United States’ innovation excellence, the future of nuclear energy, LNG exports, and the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. I also look forward to learning more about the team he would put in place around him, and to considering his nomination before our committee at a hearing in early January.”

Murkowski is chairman of the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.