Rick Perry's tenure as Texas governor was marked by a combination of smart energy policies, investments in infrastructure and limited interference in markets. Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation Vice President Marilu Hastings says Perry has the background to be a strong energy secretary.
“The way he's going to hopefully succeed is to overcome the push to defund many of the great programs -- especially research and development -- at DOE,” Hastings says.
She says the environment should be an issue where liberals and conservatives can agree. She says Perry and other Republicans want a clean environment -- the differences are found in the way we get that. She calls the former governor pro-environment, but not pro-climate change.