"The Senate [Thursday] afternoon confirmed Rick Perry to be the next Energy secretary, putting him in charge of an agency popular with members of both parties, but also one the former Texas governor famously pledged to abolish as a presidential candidate.

Senators backed Perry's nomination 62-37, with 10 Democrats and Maine independent Angus King supporting President Trump's pick.

Although Perry was among the less controversial Cabinet nominees, he is the last one to get a vote under a schedule laid out by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) before the Presidents Day recess."

Geof Koss reports for E&E News PM March 2, 2017. [2]