Nov 7 - McClatchy-Tribune Regional News - Mike Gellatly Aiken Standard, S.C.

With a new president comes a new Cabinet of individuals heading up the major federal departments.

One of these that will have great impact on Aiken County and certainly it's biggest employer -- The Department of Energy's Savannah River Site -- will be the new Secretary of Energy.

The transition from the current president to Barack Obama has only just begun, but already candidates and speculation over positions are everywhere.

Locally, elected officials and groups involved with nuclear energy all have similar characteristics in mind for the person who will take over the position in January.

"I would hope the next secretary would be pro-nuclear," said U.S. Rep. Gresham Barrett. "When I think of all the things we go into, nothing would make bigger impact would go forward continuing what Secretary (Samuel) Bodman has done. We need to continue the move toward making the country energy independent. And, I don't see any other viable way forward besides nuclear."

Barrett, along with other representatives, said they had heard several names discussed in connection with the position but did not wish to name specific people he thought would be candidates.

Before a vote was cast, the speculation began about who may seek the position and who the president-elect may have in mind.

Names ranged from those who had held the job under previous presidents to current governors from both parties and even one who used to play the terminator on film.

"I'll tell you this," Barrett said, "whoever he appoints, one of the first calls he will get will be from Congressman Gresham Barrett."

Dr. Clint Wolfe, executive director of Citizens for Nuclear Technology Awareness, a local education and lobby group, identified two specific areas he felt the next secretary must have.

"First ... there will be a continuation of support for the environmental management cause at Savannah River Site and fund it with the appropriate budget to continue with progress that has been made out there," Wolfe said.

Secondly, Wolfe added, he believes the candidate must be someone dedicated to seeing a nuclear renaissance come about. He described it as "the ultimate answer to carbon-based electrical generation."

Representatives from Sen. Jim DeMint's office went further even.

"A new energy secretary needs to pledge to expedite the exploration of offshore oil and natural gas reserves so we can keep our economy strong," said Wesley Denton, spokesman for Sen. DeMint. "A new secretary also needs to break with the Carter era nuclear policies that set us back decades and help remove obstacles to clean, safe nuclear power including the important MOX program and opening Yucca Mountain."

No timetable has been set by President-elect Obama as to when a decision will be made on this office.

Sec. of Energy Candidates

Bill Richardson

Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.)

Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius

Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell

Ret. Gen. James L. Jones

FedEx chief executive Fred Smith

Dr. Ernie Moniz of M.I.T.

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