Obama's Energy Pick Has profound Ties to Fossil Fuels and Nuclear Energy

When President Obama designated Ernest Moniz to be energy secretary earlier this month, he hailed the nuclear physicist as a brilliant scientist who, among his many talents, had efficiently brought together prominent thinkers and energy companies in the ongoing effort to figure out a safe and economically sound energy future for the country.

Certainly, Moniz's joint work best captured in the trade backed research program he oversaw at The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is well known. So, too, is his support for Obama's the entire above energy strategy one that embraces, fossil fuels, nuclear, and renewable energy sources.

But beyond his job in academic world, Moniz has also spent the last decade serving on a range of boards and advisory councils for energy business heavyweights, including some that do business with the Department of Energy. That includes a six-year paid stint on BP's Technology Advisory Council as well as similar positions at a uranium enrichment company and a pair of energy investment firms.

Such industry ties aren't uncommon for cabinet nominees, and Obama specifically praised Moniz for understanding both ecological and economic issues.