Ed McGinnis was appointed deputy assistant secretary for nuclear energy, a promotion for the long-time DOE civil servant who had been deputy assistant secretary for international nuclear energy policy and cooperation since 2007.
In his new role, which did not require Senate confirmation, McGinnis is the number-two man at the DOE office responsible for civilian nuclear energy matters, including the proposed Yucca Mountain spent-fuel and high-level waste repository in Nye County, Nev.
A DOE spokesperson confirmed McGinnis’ appointment Wednesday. Bloomberg broke the news.
DOE’s Office of Nuclear Energy is nested within the Office of the Under Secretary for Science and Energy. The under secretary position, held on an acting basis by Patricia Hoffman, does require Senate confirmation.
The Trump administration has so far filled only one position at DOE that requires Senate confirmation: the Secretary of Energy. Rick Perry was sworn in as secretary March 2. The administration nominated Dan Brouillette, a former DOE legislative affairs man and current lobbyist for insurance giant United Services Automobile Association, to be Perry’s deputy May 18.
The Senate, which is not in session this week, has yet to take up Brouillette’s nomination.
