Trump formally names ex-governor Perry of Texas to lead Energy Department

[December 14, 2016]    WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday formally announced Rick Perry, a former Texas governor and Trump's one-time presidential rival, as his choice to lead the U.S. Department of Energy.

Former Texas Governor Rick Perry is greeted as he exits following a meeting with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump at Trump Tower in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., December 12, 2016. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid

If the nomination is confirmed by the U.S. Senate, the move would put Perry in charge of a federal department that he had proposed eliminating during his bid for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination.

In a statement from Trump's transition team, the president-elect cited Perry's tenure leading Texas, a leading oil-producing state and the nation's second-most-populous one, from 2000 until 2015.

"Rick Perry created ... a business climate that produced millions of new jobs and lower energy prices in his state, and he will bring that same approach to our entire country as secretary of energy," Trump said in the statement.

Perry, who ran unsuccessfully for the presidency in 2012 and 2016, in the statement welcomed the planned nomination to serve under Trump, who takes office Jan. 20.

(Reporting by Susan Heavey; Editing by Alison Williams)

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