Next week, a US Senate panel will hold hearings about Trump's energy choices

Chairman of the U.S. Senate Energy Committee, Michael McCormack, announced on Thursday that nomination hearings will be held for Donald Trump's nominees to energy positions on Tuesday and/or Wednesday next week.

On Tuesday, January 14th at 10:00 a.m. (14:00 GMT), the committee will hear Doug Burgum's nomination to be Secretary of Interior. Burgum served as the governor of North Dakota until last month, an oil-producing state.

Burgum will also be expected to lead a National Energy Council that coordinates policies to increase U.S. production of energy.

A day later, at the same time, the committee will conduct an hearing for Chris Wright. He is the nominee for Energy Secretary. Wright, the CEO and Chairman of Liberty Energy's Board, will step down when confirmed to be secretary.

As they require only a majority of votes to confirm, the candidates will be confirmed by a Senate now controlled by Trump and his fellow Republicans. The candidates are expected to implement Trump's policies, which include boosting oil and gas production and reining in President Joe Biden’s rules and regulations regarding climate change. (Reporting and editing by Mark Porter; Timothy Gardner)

(source: Reuters)