washington rick perry president-elect donald trump pick run u.s. energy department say senate confirmation hear thursday global warm cause humans real efforts combat cost american job comment mark shift former texas governor previously call science behind climate change unsettle contrive phony mess also clash trump statements campaign white house global warm hoax mean weaken u.s. business believe climate change believe naturally occur also cause man-made activity question address thoughtful way compromise economic growth affordability energy american job perry say perry 3-1/2-hour hear senate committee energy natural resources one short least contentious long list sessions vet trump cabinet nominees since last week committee yet schedule vote perry nomination energy secretary perry 66 would oversee substantial chunk trump energy portfolio would lead vast scientific research operation credit help trigger u.s. drill boom advancements energy efficiency renewable energy technology would also charge maintain unite state nuclear weapons arsenal trump swear president friday promise bolster u.s. oil gas coal industries part undo federal regulations curb carbon dioxide emissions also suggest pull america global climate change pact sign paris 2015 call expensive u.s. industry see perry governor texas 2000 2015 whose nomination support energy sector someone help usher job growth perry add hear regret previously call department elimination proposal make fail bid republican presidential nomination 2012. proposal become know oops moment come presidential candidate debate could initially remember three cabinet-level departments want eliminate commerce education energy brief many vital function department energy regret recommend elimination say open remark democrats committee express worry perry would weaken energy department function potentially target army scientists focus climate research perry seek assuage go protect men women scientific community anyone would attack say response question democratic senator maria cantwell washington state whether would cut department climate science budget press whether would budget staff cut key research program department perry say advocate program ... sure go 1,000 percent successful distance questionnaire trump transition team send department december demand name publications employees work climate issue uproar critics say amount witch hunt team disavow survey approve approve need information perry say perry say much focus run department would renew u.s. nuclear weapons arsenal half department 32.5 billion budget go maintain nuclear weapons clean nuclear waste former air force pilot days cold war understand deterrent value nuclear weapons systems vital role play keep peace say perry say generally supportive state right block sit nuclear waste dump like yucca mountain nevada fell short rule federal government power impose state objections case nuclear waste disposal one top hurdle growth u.s. nuclear power industry department leadership perry would represent pivot run learn scientists person know close tie energy interest current energy secretary ernest moniz nuclear physicist lead technical negotiations 2015 iran nuclear deal previous head steven chu nobel prize-winning physicist perry recently resign board directors energy transfer partner lp company build dakota access pipeline oppose native americans environmentalists trump 's energy pick perry soften stance climate change