Senate committee considers two nominees for DOE posts

The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee held a hearing last week to consider two nominees for positions in the Department of Energy (DOE).

William Cooper was recently nominated to be DOE general counsel, a move supported by Committee Chair Lisa Murkowski (R-AK).

“The general counsel position requires an independent individual who is committed to a careful interpretation of both the law and precedent, regardless of how that advice may be received. That, in turn, requires both confidence and backbone,” U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), chair of the committee, said.

Murkowski said Cooper’s experience in the House of Representatives and private practice would serve him well in this position.

Lane Genatowski was nominated for director of the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) and was also welcomed by the committee chair.

“ARPA-E is helping to bridge the gap on high-risk research and development technologies that have promise but might not otherwise be pursued,” Murkowski said. “This is difficult work, but the program is pushing boundaries and producing results, and that’s why it has garnered strong support from both sides of our committee. The ARPA-E director will be working with and leading many of our nation’s best and brightest minds, to develop technologies that can transform our world for the better.”

ARPA-E is tasked with developing high-risk, high-reward energy technologies. Genatowski said he would be an aggressive advocate for a strong budget for ARPA-E moving forward.