But having taken the time to find out what the Energy Department actually does, Rick Perry now seems eager to lead it as Donald Trump’s new energy secretary. To prepare for the job and the hearing, Mr. Perry said he had spoken several times with Ernest Moniz, the current energy secretary and a respected nuclear scientist, and also with others who have held the job. When asked by Senator Al Franken, Democrat of Minnesota, about the deal, Mr. Perry seemed unclear about the department’s role. Mr. Perry disavowed a transition team questionnaire that sought the names of Energy Department employees involved in climate research. Mr. Perry seemed blindsided by the news and was left promising the committee that his management experience had made him skilled at defending budgets.

Source: New York Times January 20, 2017 02:17 UTC