Waxman’s softball questions in Solyndra hearing

Published November 17, 2011 5:00am ET



Henry Waxman had some “tough” questions for Energy Secretary Stephen Chu today regarding the loans to failed solar company Solyndra. We’ve clipped some of the more amusing ones into a video.

Secretary Chu, you’re a scientist and I want to ask you a science question. Many House Republicans including many Republicans on this committee deny that climate change is occurring. are they right? Is climate change a hoax or is it real?

Answer: Yes

Does our future economic prosperity depend on building new energy industries?

Chu: Yes.

That’s for economic , well-being, but also for stopping the climate change?

Chu: It’s absolutely true.

Waxman: Are we in a race with China and other countries to make the solar panels and wind turbines that will be the clean energy economy for the future?

Chu: Yes, we are.

were you aware there was a risk the project could fail?

Chu: Not only was I aware of it, all of Congress, this passing the bill as they said, they appropriated $10 billion to cover for loan losses.