Confirmation Hearings Continue in Washington
Obama's cabinet nominees continued the confirmation hearing process late this week.
Lisa Jackson, nominated to become administrator of the EPA, pledged to not overrule scientists and other professionals to tilt policy decisions. The administration's environmental policies, says Jackson, are curbing global warming, reducing air pollution, cleaning up hazardous waste site, regulating toxic chemicals and protecting water quality.
Steven Chu, nominated to become Energy Secretary, called for a "greater, more committed push towards energy independence." While Chu said "coal is my worst nightmare" in 2007, during his confirmation he called coal a "great natural resource." He also said that carbon capture and sequestration technology is not ready.
Ken Salazar, nominated as Interior Secretary, said he is committed to ending the country's dependence on foreign oil, which will be achieved in part by renewable energy. He avoided specifics on whether he would be in favor of expanding the extraction of oil from public lands and offshore drilling.
Tom Vilsack, nominated as Agriculture Secretary, said he would aggressively pursue new fuel sources of ethanol, but stopped short of endorsing new federal initiatives to support the corn-ethanol industry. He also supports looking for ways to expand farmers' incomes, such as using cropland for wind farms.
Nancy Sultley, nominated as the Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, faced heated questions over whether she would play second fiddle to Carol Browner, Obama's climate and energy czar. Sultey insisted that the Council on Environmental Quality will be the "voice for the environment" in the White House. She also stressed the importance of science to guide administration policy.
Hillary Clinton, nominated as Secretary of State, called climate change as "unambiguous security threat" that could incite new wars. She said energy security and climate change will go "hand in hand" in the State Department.
The nominations of Timothy Geithner for Treasury Secretary and Rep. Ray LaHood (R-IL) for Transportation Secretary have not gone as smoothly as the other nominees. The discloser Mr. Geithner recently paid $48,000 in delinquent taxes and interest, has pushed back his confirmation so that a stand-in will temporarily lead the department after Inauguration Day. Confirmation hearings for Rep. LaHood have been postponed until at least next week. LaHood has close ties to William F. Celleni, who was indicted in the pay-to-play scandal that led Illinious Gov. Rod Blagojevich's recent arrest.
