Apparently it's going to be Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory director Steve Chu. I heartily applaud the pick. It's especially noteworthy that Chu has been a big proponent of action on global warming and clean energy.
Here's Chu endorsing ScienceDebate2008:
More like this
I have a DeSmogBlog post further praising the selection of Steven Chu to head the Energy Department. Here's a quote:
Sadly, the Houston Chronicle brings us another story about an academic caught plagiarizing. The academic in question is Rambis M.
Cosmic Variance (among others) reports that 1997 Nobel Laureate in Physics Steve Chu will be the next Secretary of Energy.
Excellent choice.
...and an NCSE Steve!
What's this?
Filling government positions based on knowledge, experience and general competence relevant to the position rather than friendship and political favor?
It's an outrage. An absolute outrage. I want my vote back.
Definitely a good choice. And he may make some valuable policy recommendations for science education. Also, it's always a plus point when people start thinking about scientists as something else than nerds.