The U.S. Senate Energy Committee voted on January 18th to approve Spencer Abraham as energy secretary in incoming President George W. Bush’s administration.
Abraham, a former Michigan senator and the grandson of Lebanese immigrants, was questioned about the California energy crisis, increasing U.S. dependence on foreign oil imports and the U.S. Energy Department’s role in managing its nuclear weapons program.
During his confirmation hearing, the former senator declined to discuss what course of action the incoming administration would take in coping with California’s electricity crisis, saying that no decision would be made until after Bush takes office on January 20th.
He said that he was “very concerned” about the crisis and that the situation is under review “as a matter of urgent priority.”
Abraham’s nomination had surprised many, particularly given that he tried several times to abolish the very department that he is now likely to head.
He has since reconsidered his position, saying that the energy issues currently facing the nation warrant the continuation of the Energy Department, and the Senate panel did not press the issue.
Abraham was also questioned concerning Bush’s plans for reducing foreign oil dependence. He said that the incoming president was “deeply committed to developing an energy policy that includes increasing domestic production of energy in an environmentally responsible way.”
The plan would include incentives for domestic crude production and renewable energy sources in an effort to put a lid on increasing oil imports.
Abraham said that: “Economic prosperity is directly linked to assuring adequate supplies of reasonably priced energy.”
The Senate is expected to confirm Abraham as the new U.S. energy secretary later this month.
© 2001 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
