Experts comment on Obama energy/enviro team picks

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President-elect Barack Obama on Monday named Nobel physics laureate Steven Chu as Energy Secretary and former Environmental Protection Agency chief Carol Browner to head a new council to coordinate White House energy, climate and environment policies.

Obama also chose Lisa Jackson, chief of staff for New Jersey's governor, to run the EPA, and Nancy Sutley, a deputy mayor of Los Angeles, as head of the White House Council on environmental quality.

Here are comments from energy analysts, lobbyists, trade groups and lawmakers about Obama's nominees:

Comments on Steve Chu:

Democratic Senator Jeff Bingaman, chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources:

"This past October, I got to spend the better part of a day with Dr. Steven Chu at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, discussing energy research and technology frontiers. I was impressed with his knowledge and insights, and the leadership he has provided at the Laboratory.

"I support President-Elect Obama's choice of him, and I look forward to working with Dr. Chu as he takes on the responsibilities of Secretary of Energy at a pivotal time for our nation's energy policy."

Reid Detchon, executive director of the Energy Future Coalition:

"Will (Chu) be supportive of fossil fuel research unconstrained by climate considerations? That would seem unlikely to me. That should be welcomed by industry because the way they need help is to make the transition, not to further increase their profitability in the current situation."

Tim Evans, energy analyst for Citi Futures Perspective:

"This pick marks a real change, given his science background. But I'm not sure how much the Secretary of Energy can do to move the science along in terms of alternative energy breakthroughs.

"He seems like a smart guy and we certainly need to have someone in the position with an appreciation for science and technology."

Thomas Pyle, president of Institute for Energy Research:

"Unfortunately, Dr. Chu's comments on coal and his apparent desire to force American motorists to pay European-style gas taxes suggests a view of our nation's energy portfolio that's at odds with the facts, and somewhat removed from the growing challenges facing everyday working American families.

"Hopefully, as Dr. Chu comes to discover the indispensable role that affordable energy plays in powering our nation's economy and delivering a high standard of living to its citizens, he'll consider adopting a new position on proven, conventional energy sources - one in line with the needs and interests of the people he will be called upon to serve."

Comments on Carol Browner: