White House Names Candidates to Head DOE, EPA

The Obama administration has nominated new chiefs for the U.S. Dept. of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency.

The White House candidate for Energy secretary is Ernest Moniz, who currently heads an energy research group at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology that studies ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. He was undersecretary of energy during the Clinton administration.

Environmentalists complain about Moniz's ties to the big oil producers who fund his MIT research and his support for such energy sources as nuclear power and natural gas.

Moniz, 68, would replace Steven Chu, a physicist whose efforts to fund "green" technology startups turned controversial last year when some of those companies failed.

The White House's choice for EPA chief is Gina McCarthy, 57, who currently serves as assistant administrator of the agency's Office of Air and Radiation. She would succeed Lisa Jackson, who left the EPA in late January after more than 25 years at the agency.

President Barack Obama describes McCarthy as a "straight shooter" who welcomes diverse views. Republicans have accused her of promoting environmental policies that cost jobs and boost energy prices.