Energy industry groups congratulate Brouillette on confirmation as energy secretary

The electric utilities industry and other energy and business groups welcomed Monday the news that the U.S. Senate confirmed Dan Brouillette as the 15th U.S. Secretary of Energy.

President Donald Trump nominated Brouillette to replace former Energy Secretary Rick Perry, whose resignation became effective Sunday. Before the confirmation, Brouillette served as the deputy secretary of energy under Secretary Rick Perry.

Edison Electric Institute (EEI) President Tom Kuhn issued a statement on the confirmation.

“On behalf of our member companies, America’s investor-owned electric companies, EEI congratulates our new Secretary of Energy Dan Brouillette, and we commend him for his longstanding commitment to public service,” Kuhn said.

“DOE plays a vital role in driving innovation to enhance energy grid security and to identify the critical technologies needed for a clean energy future, and Secretary Brouillette led many of DOE’s most critical initiatives while serving as deputy secretary,” he continued. “Secretary Brouillette is a tremendous partner for our industry during hurricanes and other extreme weather events, and we look forward to continuing to work with him and his staff to enhance the reliability, security, and resiliency of our nation’s energy grid.”

Alliance to Save Energy President Jason Hartke also released a statement in response to the confirmation.

“I want to congratulate Secretary Dan Brouillette on his confirmation,” Hartke said. “We look forward to seeing him lead the department. He knows energy policy and is well respected, and I commend him for earning bipartisan support. Secretary Brouillette has a big job ahead, with choices that will have impacts on Americans every day. Under his leadership, we hope to see the department do more to fully capitalize on the opportunity of energy efficiency and the benefits it can provide in lowering energy costs, reducing carbon emissions, and creating economic activity.”

Hartke said he hopes that Brouillette will work to update appliance and equipment efficiency standards and improve the department’s ability to conduct research, development and deployment activities and fully staff efficiency programs.

An official swearing-in for Brouillette will take place at a later date, the Department of Energy said.