Steven Chu, a hopeful focus on future energy

An interview with Dr. Steven Chu, the new Secretary of Energy, is covered in today's New York Times. His focus on the potential for scientific and technological progress that can address environmental challenges is so hopeful and refreshing, especially given the backdrop of politicians, pundits, and economists giving daily prognoses of inevitable economic decline. Dr. Chu speaks with an absolute belief that "science and technology can generate much better choices. It has, consistently, over hundreds and hundreds of years."

Unlike Energy Secretaries of the past, as a working scientist, scientific administrator, and Nobel prize winner, Dr. Chu has the knowledge, experience, and credibility to cut through the usual agendas. Prior Secretaries have been politicians, corporate guys from the utility or oil industry, lawyers, or military men. None have had Chu's background.

With the performance of members of Congress in their panels on the financial crisis frustrating me to the point of insanity, it's a nice break to find something almost unequivocally positive to mention here.