A source close to the transition tells me that Obama will drop the names of his energy czar and EPA head today. The decision may be coming out earlier than expected to try to help take the edge off the endless Blagojevich coverage.
Al Kamen says his sources tell him the energy czar is going to be former Clinton-era EPA head Carol Browner, who is leading transition efforts at EPA. But others still believe he could tap California Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
It’s not clear at this point whether we can expect to hear about the Department of Energy or Department of Interior as well. Word around town is that Rep. Raúl Grijalva was the front runner for DOI, but hit some snags as he was being contemplated for the post. The final decision is likely between him, Rep. Mike Thompson, and possibly David Hayes, who served as deputy secretary at Interior during the Clinton years and is currently working on DOI, EPA, DOE, and USDA transition.
And while we’re taking a spin around the rumor mill, the Los Angeles Times is reporting that Los Angeles Deputy Mayor Nancy Sutley will be named chair of the Council on Environmental Quality. Sutley is the deputy mayor for energy and environment as well as a member of the board of directors for the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.
