Rick Perry tells lawmakers proposal to boost coal, nuclear power not the 'be-all-end-all'

Energy Secretary Rick Perry told House lawmakers Thursday that his controversial proposal to prop up coal and nuclear plants is not the “be-all-end-all” and is meant to be a conversation starter.

Appearing before the House Energy and Commerce energy subcommittee, Perry did not defend the proposal as aggressively as in his prepared remarks in which he said the plan “is just a first step” in his efforts to ensure the reliability of the nation’s electric grid, suggesting he could take additional action in the future.