WASHINGTON — Energy Secretary Steven Chu won a Nobel Prize in physics, but his handling of a solar-energy loan has some critics calling him clueless.
Chu undoubtedly will face hostile questioning today from House Republicans investigating the $528 million federal loan received by solar-panel maker Solyndra before it went belly up, laying off its 1,100 workers.
Some Republicans, including presidential candidate Newt Gingrich, have called for Chu to be fired. Newly released e-mails show the White House considered doing just that this year as the Obama administration braced for a political storm brewing over Solyndra.
The White House says Chu retains the president’s confidence, but that trust could be challenged when the energy secretary faces GOP critics for the first time. Chu will be the sole witness as the House Energy and Commerce Committee continues a nine-month probe.
“Although several red flags were raised over Solyndra’s financial stability, the Department of Energy and the White House decided to put taxpayer funds at risk,” said Rep. Cliff Stearns, R-Fla., who is leading the GOP investigation.
