Senate confirms Rick Perry to lead Department of Energy (Utility Dive)
The U.S. Senate has confirmed former Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) to head the Department of Energy, where he will oversee the nation's nuclear weapons program as well as research into clean energy and other advanced technologies.
Perry's nomination was approved 62-37, with nine Democrats voting in favor.
Perry, who once proposed eliminating DOE as a presidential candidate, told senators in his confirmation hearing that he would seek to preserve energy research funding and climate change programs at the department, but stopped short of committing to specific offices and initiatives.
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