Acadiana Business

La. congressman pushes Shaw CEO for energy job

by Walter Pierce

U.S. Rep. Rodney Alexander is urging President Barack Obama to choose Shaw Group CEO and founder Jim Bernhard as his new energy secretary.

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - A Louisiana congressman is urging President Barack Obama to choose Shaw Group CEO and founder Jim Bernhard as his new energy secretary.

Bernhard told Baton Rouge-based WBRZ-TV that he was being considered to fill the position being vacated by Stephen Chu. And U.S. Rep. Rodney Alexander, a Republican, says he believes Bernhard would be the right selection for the job in Obama's cabinet.

Alexander released a statement Monday declaring his support for Bernhard.

The congressman says Bernhard's experience and background from an energy-producing state would put him "in a unique position to offer fresh ideas to help lower energy costs and achieve energy sustainability."

Bernhard, a Democrat, didn't immediately return a call for comment about the energy secretary's job.