Potential DOE Sec. - Brilliant Scientist, 200 Papers, Political Skills, 1st-Generation Immigrant

[hatrack]

As compared to, say, Gov. "Oops!"

Arun Majumdar is shaping up as the most influential energy adviser in President-elect Joe Biden's transition circle. He is heading the Department of Energy's transition team and is a leading candidate to be its secretary, giving him a prime perch to guide Biden's energy policy. But who is he and what is his vision for the agency?

An immigrant from India who worked his way into the top echelons of universities, national labs and President Obama's Energy Department, Majumdar is recalled by former colleagues as a talented scientist and administrator who can explain complicated technical matters to a lay audience — and has the acumen to work across the aisle on Capitol Hill. "He knows the building, he will hit the ground running," said Brandon Hurlbut, a former chief of staff for Obama's first Energy Secretary Steven Chu. "He knows how to engage with the national labs, he knows how to engage with Congress. He knows how to manage a large enterprise, he has the technical chops."

EDIT

Majumdar has resigned from at least some of the many boards he sits on, a common sign that someone is being considered for a top government job. Asked if he was being vetted, Majumdar forwarded the request to Biden's transition staff. Regardless of whether he ends up in a DOE position, Majumdar can leave his footprint on the agency now by directing future hires and the transition.

Majumdar came to Washington in 2009 as the first head of the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E), an unusual arm of government that incubates transformational but underfunded energy technologies. He is a strong proponent of using government dollars to innovate the energy sector, including for fossil fuels. It is difficult to find someone who has bad things to say about him. Senators and members of Congress say they encountered an affable, patient presence in Majumdar, though they often struggled to pronounce his name.

EDIT

https://www.eenews.net/stories/1063718903

[Sherman A1]

1. Excellent

I’m sure that the Biden/Harris team will be filled with quality people.