Rick Perry Sworn In As Energy Secretary

The Department of Energy, responsible for the United States' nuclear weapons program, now has a new leader who once pledged to eliminate the department and until recently had no idea of its responsibilities.   

Perry was confirmed Thursday by the Senate in a 62-37 vote. During his confirmation hearing, Perry said, "My past statements made over five years ago about abolishing the Department of Energy do not reflect my current thinking."

During his confirmation hearing, though, he said he believed that both natural and man-made activity were contributing to climate change, which in today's world qualifies as shocking to hear from a Republican.

That hasn't reassured environmental group 350.org. Executive Director May Boeve said in a statement: "Trump just added one more unqualified fossil fuel shill and climate-denier to his cabinet. As governor, Perry doled out millions to oil corporations while silencing the science that tells us our future depends on keeping fossil fuels in the ground."

 Source: http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/03/02/518235070/rick-perry-sworn-in-as-energy-secretary