Washington, D.C. – Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) issued the following statement regarding Secretary of Energy Steven Chu’s announcement that he will step down:

“Secretary Chu presided over a vast expansion of renewable energy and cleaner-burning natural gas, and he did a lot of good in his time at the Department of Energy,” Wyden said. “Certainly in terms of pure intellectual horsepower, Secretary Chu will be a tough act to follow.

As President Obama looks at potential successors, I hope he keeps in mind the importance of encouraging innovation in new energy technologies, safeguarding taxpayer dollars and continuing the manufacturing revival spurred by stable natural gas supplies,” Wyden said.