Business meeting to consider the nominations of Andrea Travnicek, of North Dakota, and Leslie Beyer, of Texas, both to be an Assistant Secretary of the Interior, and Theodore J. Garrish, of Maryland, to be an Assistant Secretary (Nuclear Energy), and Tristan Abbey, of Florida, to be Administrator of the Energy Information Administration, both of the Department of Energy; to be immediately followed by hearings to examine the nominations of William L. Doffermyre, of Texas, to be Solicitor of the Department of the Interior, and Catherine Jereza, of Maryland, to be an Assistant Secretary (Electricity), and Kyle Haustveit, of Oklahoma, to be an Assistant Secretary  (Fossil Energy), both of the Department of Energy.

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources

2025-05-08

Source: Congress.gov

Summary

The meeting of the committee convened to vote on four nominations and hear testimony on three others for key roles within the Department of the Interior and Department of Energy, focusing on energy policy, environmental regulations, and grid modernization efforts.[ 00:21:22-00:21:35 ] Senators expressed both support and reservations for the nominees, discussing the future direction of U.S. energy strategy and regulatory approaches.[ 00:23:29-00:23:47 ]

Themes

Nomination Votes

The committee held votes on four nominations: Dr. Andrea Travnik, Ms. Leslie Byer, Theodore Garish, and Tristan Abbey.[ 00:22:08-00:22:31 ] All four nominees had submitted timely answers to pre-hearing questions.[ 00:21:44-00:21:50 ] While Chairman Lee supported all nominees, Senator Heinrich expressed "substantial reservations" and voted against Tristan Abbey, citing concerns about the Energy Information Administration's independence under the current administration.[ 00:22:36 ] [ 00:23:29 ] [ 00:24:30-00:24:50 ] The first three nominees were reported favorably with 14 ayes and 6 nays each, while Tristan Abbey’s nomination passed with 12 ayes and 8 nays.[ 00:32:26-00:32:28 ]

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[ 00:34:09-00:34:11 ]

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[ 00:35:50-00:35:50 ]

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Energy Policy and Independence

A central theme was the pursuit of U.S. "energy dominance" to bolster national security and economic growth, reducing reliance on foreign nations. Concerns were raised about rising electricity rates and policies perceived to be a "war on reliable American resources." Nominees affirmed their commitment to an agenda ensuring affordable, reliable, and secure energy through domestic production and technological innovation.

Permitting Reform and Regulatory Issues

Discussions highlighted the need to streamline the permitting process for energy infrastructure projects to avoid "endless litigation" and project delays.[ 01:08:41-01:08:41 ]

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 Proposed expedited timelines for environmental assessments (14 days) and impact statements (28 days) were debated, with concerns about their feasibility and potential to create litigation risks if legal requirements are not fully met. The Solicitor nominee, Mr. Doffermyre, emphasized the importance of ensuring legal compliance within any timeline to avoid counterproductive outcomes.

Departmental Responsibilities and Challenges

Nominees discussed their prospective roles, including the Solicitor's function as the chief legal officer for the Department of the Interior, interpreting and enforcing laws.[ 00:41:48-00:42:02 ]

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 The Assistant Secretary of Energy for Electricity is tasked with modernizing the grid and addressing affordability and reliability issues. The Assistant Secretary for Fossil Energy will focus on research, development, critical minerals, and natural gas export permitting. Concerns were also raised regarding staff reductions at the Department of Energy and national labs, potentially hindering grid modernization efforts.

Electric Grid Modernization

The need to strengthen and modernize the nation's power grid was a key point, with senators emphasizing the challenges of increasing electricity demand and an "energy affordability crisis." Discussion touched on the potential for transmission expansion to yield significant cost savings and the importance of "baseload" power for grid stability.[ 01:32:27 ]

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 Grid-enhancing technologies were identified as a crucial area for research and implementation to optimize the existing infrastructure and meet growing demand.[ 01:49:15 ]

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Carbon Capture and Methane Reduction

The importance of carbon capture technologies and methane emissions reduction was highlighted, particularly for the commercial viability of these solutions. Nominees expressed commitment to advancing research in these areas, with Mr. Haustveit noting the economic and environmental benefits of capturing methane and utilizing CO2 for enhanced oil recovery.

Critical Minerals and Battery Manufacturing

The discussion included the strategic importance of domestic critical mineral production, such as lithium, and battery manufacturing to reduce reliance on foreign entities like China. Concerns were raised about proposed budget cuts to programs supporting these initiatives, underscoring the need for continued investment in research and development.

Tone of the Meeting

The tone was generally professional and respectful, despite underlying partisan divisions on energy policy and regulatory philosophy.[ 00:41:30-00:41:40 ]

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 Committee members from both parties emphasized the critical nature of the nominees' roles and the importance of reliable energy, though they diverged on the best approaches to achieve these goals. Moments of levity were introduced during nominee introductions, particularly regarding shared alma maters and personal anecdotes. There was a strong bipartisan call for permitting reform, although disagreements surfaced regarding the feasibility of proposed expedited timelines.

Participants

Transcript

Thank you.
I think Senator Heinrich and his staff are working with us on the schedule for today's activities and I want to thank all senators for being here and for your cooperation today and also last week.  Recognizing the demands on the schedule of every senator and the fact that we've got multiple committee proceedings going on over the next hour or so, the committee meets today for a short business meeting.   to vote on four nominations, followed by a hearing on three more nominations, one within the Department of the Interior and two at Energy.  All four nominees who will be considered at today's business meeting submitted timely answers to questions submitted by senators for the record of our hearing.  Consequently, each one listed on the agenda that the committee's clerk has sent to your offices   On Monday, May 5th, you'll have those names.  First, we'll vote on the nomination of Dr. Andrea Travnik.  Second, we'll vote on the nomination of Ms.  Leslie Byer.  Third, we'll vote on the nomination of Theodore Garish.  And fourth, we'll vote on the nomination of Tristan Abbey.  Each of these nominees is well qualified and has my wholehearted support.   As soon as we have a reporting quorum present, I'm going to ask the committee to vote on those nominees.  After the votes, I'll recognize any member who may wish to speak briefly on any of the nominees.  I was grateful to the senators last week when we did this for keeping the remarks brief, and I renew my request for that today so that we can proceed promptly to our hearing once it's there.   We'll turn to Senator Heinrich for a vote.
Thank you, Chairman.  I intend to support three of the four nominations before us this morning, but I have to say I do so with substantial reservations.  I remain concerned about the reckless policies that this administration is pursuing in the Department of Energy, the workforce reductions, the funding freezes, the hit list of programs targeted for terminations.   And I am equally concerned with its disdain for responsible stewardship of our public lands at the Interior Department.  This administration does not seem to understand the need for the public in public lands.  I still believe it's better for the Senate to confirm qualified nominees who we can hold accountable and who will hopefully use their knowledge and expertise to push back on the President's misguided initiatives.   rather than leave these important offices in the hands of unaccountable Doge employees.  Consequently, I will vote in favor of three of the four nominations.  I am, however, unable to support Mr. Abbey's nomination.  I am deeply troubled by what is happening at the Energy Information Administration.  Last month, it released its annual energy outlook without its analytical narrative, which is traditionally the centerpiece of that report.   and it has also canceled its international energy outlook for 2025.  Now, whether these actions are a result of the loss of so many staff experts or out of fear of offending the Trump administration or a combination of the two, we are left without EIA's independent, nonpartisan, and impartial analysis.  I don't blame Mr. Abbey for this.  He hasn't been there yet, but neither do I believe he is the correct person   to stand up to this administration and defend EIA's independence and integrity.  So I will be voting no on this confirmation.
We're still too short of a quorum.  And so what we will do now is while we're waiting for a couple of others to show up who I'm told are on their way soon, why don't we move to our opening statements and then we can interrupt those if a quorum forms between now and then.   will receive testimony from three of our fellow citizens nominated by President Trump for senior offices within our committee's jurisdiction, one with the Department of the Interior and two with the Department of Energy.  I thank President Trump for putting their names forward.  After these opening statements, and assuming we're not interrupted by a vote, then I will recognize Senator Justice   to introduce Ms.  Herrera, and then Senator Hoeven will introduce Mr. Housfied.  Today, we're considering three nominees for these positions at Energy and Interior.  Officers of the United States responsible for legal affairs, conducting research to modernize and protect the power grid, and researching and developing projects to increase domestic production of oil, gas, coal, and elements necessary for energy.   First, we'll hear from Mr. William Duffmeyer to be solicitor at the Department of the Interior.  Second, we'll hear from Ms.  Catherine Gereza to be Assistant Secretary of Energy for Electricity.  And third, we'll hear from Mr. Kyle Haustveit to be the Assistant Secretary of Energy for Fossil Energy.  Mr. Duffmeyer is the nominee to be the solicitor for the Department of the Interior.  The solicitor is the chief legal officer of the department.   providing legal counsel and advice to the Secretary and other offices within the Department, as well as all of its bureaus and offices, ensuring the Department's components carry out their responsibilities in accordance with the law.

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