Senate confirms Obama’s pick for No. 2 at DOE

The Senate confirmed current White House defense adviser Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall to the No. 2 post at the Energy Department on Thursday.

Sherwood-Randall was confirmed in a voice vote to be the deputy secretary at the Department of Energy.

{mosads}Sherwood-Randall will replace Daniel Poneman, who announced he would step down in June after five years in the post.

“Liz’s confirmation comes at a historic time in our nation’s energy evolution,” said Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz. “She joins us with deep expertise in the Department’s nuclear security mission, including both nuclear weapons and countering proliferation.”

Sherwood-Randall has served as adviser to the President Obama on nuclear weapons and arms control since 2013. Prior to that, she advised him on European affairs.

“I am excited to have this opportunity to serve with Secretary Moniz and the multi-talented Energy Department staff, whose mission is vital to a strong economy and to our national security,” Sherwood-Randall said in a statement.