Department of Energy Deputy Secretary Dan Brouillette, an Assumption Parish native, is awaiting Senate confirmation as the nation's next Energy Secretary. President Trump nominated Brouillette, saying his experience is unparalleled. Brouillette says it's a nomination he does not take lightly.
"It is an honor to be nominated by the President of the United States to be the next Energy Secretary, so I'm looking forward to serving the country, the state of Louisiana, and the President," said Brouillette.
Brouillette is a U-S Army veteran, who previously worked for former Louisiana Congressman Billy Tauzin. He also had a position in the George W. Bush administration and served on the Louisiana State Mineral and Energy Board. Brouillette says the department of energy has been working on advancements in technology in getting energy products to the market.
"The government has a proper role to play in the research and the developing research that might move these technologies ahead or advance them even further than they are today and that is what we are doing at the Department of Energy," said Brouillette.
Brouillette says the department is currently working on advancements in nuclear energy, but there is a push for all versions of energy, which he says could be promising for Louisiana's contributions to the nation's energy needs.
"The President really believes strongly that we have to develop every form of energy in America," said Brouillette. "That includes coal, that includes nuclear, that includes gas, it includes renewable wind and solar."