Rick Perry is confirmed as secretary of...I forget

The U.S. Senate voted 62 to 37 to confirm Rick Perry as head of the U.S. Department of Energy, an agency he once vowed to eliminate. The former Texas governor has accepted more than $11 million in campaign contributions from the fossil fuel industry over the course of his political career. Perry also denies the scientific consensus on climate change and opposes the Clean Power Plan, which would cut carbon pollution and prevent an estimated 90,000 asthma attacks and 3,600 premature American deaths. Also concerning is Perry’s lack of any experience regarding nuclear energy, since the Energy Secretary plays an important role in ensuring the nation’s nuclear security. Given the huge benefits wind energy has brought to his state of Texas, Secretary Perry should seize this opportunity to advance clean energy policies for the rest of the country.