WASHINGTON, April 18 (Reuters) - U.S. Energy Secretarynominee Ernest Moniz easily cleared his first hurdle in theSenate on Thursday, securing nearly unanimous support from thechamber's energy committee.
With a vote of 21 to 1 in favor of the pick, Moniz'snomination will move on for consideration by the full Senate. Itis unclear when that will take place, but Moniz is widelyexpected to be confirmed.
Moniz, a professor at the Massachusetts Institute ofTechnology, would replace Energy Secretary Steven Chu whoannounced earlier this year that he was stepping down.
Democrats and Republicans on the committee praised Moniz asan independent scientist with extensive knowledge of the EnergyDepartment and its responsibilities.
"With his background as a well-respected scientist, I amconfident that Dr. Moniz is going to use the best science andmost current data in considering key policy questions," saidSenate energy committee chairman Ron Wyden ahead of the panel'svote.
Moniz served as an undersecretary of energy during theClinton administration.
Some environmentalists have criticized Moniz' nomination,saying he was too supportive of shale gas and nuclear power.
Moniz is director of MIT's Energy Initiative, which receivedfunding from companies such as BP, Chevron andSaudi Aramco for academic work on projects aimed at reducingclimate-changing greenhouse gases.