Obama nominates Moniz as next energy secretary

Science : The next secretary of the US Department of Energy looks to be Ernest Moniz of MIT. Chosen by President Obama to succeed Steven Chu, Moniz has extensive White House experience; he has served as DOE’s undersecretary and as a science aide under President Bill Clinton. While mainstream science and environmental groups appear happy with the selection of Moniz, those who oppose nuclear power and fracking are less so, writes David Malakoff for Science. “Ernie’s a good choiceâmdash;he has a very broad knowledge of DOE’s portfolio and he’s also a person who understands politics,” said Michael Lubell, director of public affairs for the American Physical Society. If confirmed, Moniz will be the third scientist in a row to head DOE; before Chu, another MIT professor, Samuel Bodman, filled the post. Moniz has already served under Obama as a member of the President’s Council of Advisers on Science and Technology.