Perry Said to Be Trump’s Top Candidate for Energy Secretary

Chicago Tribune ^

[springwater13]

Donald Trump has narrowed his search for energy secretary to four people, with former Texas Gov. Rick Perry the leading candidate.

People familiar with the president-elect's selection process said two Democratic senators from energy-producing states -- Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota and Joe Manchin of West Virginia -- are also in the mix, along with Ray Washburne, a Dallas investor and former chairman of the Republican National Committee.

If Trump picks any of the four he will break with recent tradition of putting scientists at the top of the Energy Department. Among other things, the agency is responsible for policies on the safe handling of nuclear material.

Trump met with Perry and Washburne while attending the Army-Navy football game in Baltimore on Saturday. It was at least the second time he'd spoken to the two men for potential roles in the new administration. Trump met with Heitkamp at Trump Tower in New York on Dec. 2, and is scheduled to meet with Manchin in New York.

[TheWriterTX]

Perry was extremely pissed at the EPA for attempting to shut down our lignite mines with oppressive regulations. The EPA also messed with our energy production plants by requiring "clean air" standards that exceeded the capabilities of all available technology in an effort to bankrupt those businesses. Further, the EPA threatened the stability of our grid by forcing too many plants to go off-line to meet those standards.

He has no love for these folks and will push for real energy independence.

[DoodleDawg]

Manchin may not be an “automatic” return to the Senate. My WV relatives tell me his “schtick” is wearing thin with the boys & girls in those hills.

Maybe not, but as slim as they are he has a better chance of re-election than lasting long in a Trump cabinet, and I think he knows it.

[Bubba_Leroy]

I am a 7th generation Texan so I know how important the oil and gas industry is to the state. I also know that the governor has very little to do with it. That would be the Railroad Commission.