Also<\/a>:<\/p>\n \u201cMy past statements made over five years ago about abolishing the Department of Energy do not reflect my current thinking,\u201d Perry will say, according to an advance copy of his opening statement. \u201cIn fact, after being briefed on so many of the vital functions of the Department of Energy, I regret recommending its elimination.\u201d<\/p>\n Perry, most known for serving as governor of Texas for 15 years and running for president in 2012 and 2016, will cast himself as an advocate for a range of energy sources when he testifies before the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, noting that he presided over the nation\u2019s leading energy producing state.<\/p>\n The post Rick Perry\u2019s Confirmation Hearing as Energy Secretary: WATCH LIVE<\/a> appeared first on Towleroad<\/a>.<\/p>\n