Murray, Cantwell Call on Department of Energy to Only Consider Qualified, Experienced Candidates for BPA Administrator

Statement

U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) made clear their expectations for candidates the Department of Energy (DOE) is considering to head up Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), and voiced their displeasure with the lack of transparency in the selection process for BPA Administrator candidates during a Friday call with Department of Energy Deputy Secretary Mark Menezes. The senators also emphasized to Deputy Secretary Menezes that they would not support candidates who do not possess the necessary experience and knowledge of the Pacific Northwest's hydropower system. The call came following a news report that the DOE was moving quickly to fill the current BPA administrator vacancy and considering an unqualified candidate, Gregory Zerzan, who is the current Principal Deputy Solicitor at U.S. Department of the Interior and a former lobbyist for Koch Industries.

"I've worked for years to make sure that Bonneville Power Administration maintains the flexibility needed to provide quality, low-cost power to Washington state and the Pacific Northwest," Senator Murray said. "So I am not speaking lightly when I say that nominating Greg Zerzan would be disastrous for the BPA and the millions of families that rely on the affordable energy and power it provides. Unlike in years past, this consideration process has lacked transparency, and I strongly urge the Department of Energy to follow its historic precedent and nominate a candidate with the experience and independence required to successfully lead BPA and ensure it remains a valuable public asset."

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