On May 16, 2013, the Senate confirmed Ernest Moniz as the new Secretary of Energy with a vote of 97-0. Moniz replaces former Secretary Steven Chu.

The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources approved Moniz’s nomination on April 18, 2013. The confirmation was delayed by Lindsey Graham (R-SC) who placed a hold on the nomination due to concerns regarding the future of the Mixed Oxide (MOX) Fuel Fabrication Facility in South Carolina.

President Obama revealed his new Climate Action Plan on June 25, 2013. Building on his “all-of-the-above” energy strategy, the plan is primarily concerned with cutting carbon pollution in America, preparing for domestic impacts of climate change, and leading international efforts to combat and prepare for climate change.

News sources indicate that the White House will nominate Neil Kornze to be the next Director of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Korze is currently Principal Deputy Director at BLM. In 2011, Kornze joined the BLM in as a Senior Advisor to the Director. Prior to the BLM, Kornze worked as a Senior Advisor to U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada. The appointment awaits nomination and approval.

Sources: Environment & Energy Publishing

After months of indignation and stand-offs between Senate Democrats and Republicans, Gina McCarthy has been confirmed as the new Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in a 59 to 40 vote this July. Senate Republicans boycotted McCarthy’s Environment and Public Works confirmation hearing back in May over transparency concerns aimed at the EPA. Gina McCarthy succeeds Lisa Jackson as head of the EPA. 

Multiple sources reveal the White House is expected to nominate Janice Schneider as the Department of Interior’s assistant secretary for land and minerals management. Schneider is currently a partner at the law firm Latham & Watkins LLP in Washington, D.C. and was a senior aide to former Interior Deputy Secretary David Hayes. Schneider’s experience and specialization is in the Endangered Species Act, National Environmental Policy Act, Clean Water Act, and tribal and cultural resource issues. The appointment awaits nomination and approval.

On June 19, 2013, the House Science, Space and Technology Subcommittee on Space held a hearing to review adiscussion draft of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Authorization Act of 2013. The hearing focused on the future of human spaceflight, NASA’s role in STEM education, and how to best prioritize funding for key NASA programs.

Witness: 
The Honorable Ernest J. Moniz
Secretary, U.S. Department of Energy

Witnesses
Ernest Moniz
Nominee for Secretary of Energy

Committee Members
Ron Wyden (D-OR), Chairman
Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Ranking Member
Debbie Stabenow (D-MI)
Dean Heller (R-NV)
Martin Heinrich (D-NM)
John Barrasso (R-WY)
Al Franken (D-MN)
Tim Scott (R-SC)
Brian Schatz (D-HA)

Witness:
Sally Jewell
Nominee for the Position of Secretary of the Interior