IBEW
Join Us

Sign up for the lastest information from the IBEW!

Related ArticlesRelated Articles

Visit Our Media Department

Print This Page       Text Size:
News Publications

IBEW President Edwin D. Hill Lauds President Obama’s Energy Department Pick

 

March 5, 2013

photo placeholder
 

International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers President Edwin D. Hill says President Obama’s nomination of Ernest Moniz to be the next U.S. Department of Energy secretary “is the right choice to lead our nation as we enter a new era of energy policy.”

 


Obama announced his picks for Energy Department and EPA leaders on March 4.

A long-time MIT physics professor and nuclear power expert, Moniz is no stranger to Washington, D.C. He served as Energy Department undersecretary during the Clinton Administration. He also served on the presidential Blue Ribbon Commission on nuclear waste and is a member of Obama’s Council of Advisors for Science and Technology.

Hill praises Moniz’s record of service and his commitment to establishing a diversified energy portfolio, along with his advocacy for investment in modernizing the electrical grid:

Moniz understands that developing a 21st century energy policy that meets the demands of energy independence and growing the economy – all while combatting climate change – requires investment in all of our energy sources – from oil and natural gas to renewables like solar and wind. He is also a vocal supporter of revamping our energy infrastructure, which is key to unleashing the full potential of all our natural resources.

President Hill also congratulated Environmental Protection Agency Assistant Administrator Gina McCarthy on her nomination to head the agency. The EPA will continue to play an important role in developing and enforcing climate regulations that greatly affect the energy industry.

He urged McCarthy to keep the lines of communications open with industry and labor leaders on efforts to build a regulatory framework that meets the goal of reducing carbon emissions while avoiding shocks to the economy that could kill good jobs.

We haven’t always seen eye-to-eye with the EPA, but look forward to working with McCarthy and all industry and community stakeholders to move forward on these often difficult issues. We need an energy conversation that balances our desire for clean air with sound policy choices that consider the needs of workers, consumers and our nation's economic base.

 

Photo used under a Creative Commons License from Flickr user ENERGY.GOV