Besides Moniz’s overwhelming bipartisan Senate vote, he won praise across the energy industry. Dave McCurdy, American Gas Association president and CEO, said Moniz “brings a lot to the table, including his background in science, management experience and a familiarity with policy.”

Rhone Resch, Solar Energy Industries Association president and CEO, said Moniz “is uniquely qualified to tackle the many policy challenges facing our nation and the world.”

Chu, co-winner of the 1997 Nobel Prize in physics, led DOE from the start of the Obama administration, in January 2009, until April 22. He is now at Stanford University as professor of physics and molecular and cellular physiology.

Story updated May 21 to include Moniz's swearing-in as DOE secretary.