Understanding The Many Responsibilities Of The Energy Department

President-elect Donald Trump has chosen Rick Perry to lead the Department of Energy, a department he once famously said should be eliminated. As the longest-serving governor of Texas, Perry is well-versed in the business of fossil fuels and energy extraction.

But the nearly 40-year-old department is also largely devoted to national security, nuclear weapons and power and basic science research.

Here & Now's Jeremy Hobson speaks with Susan Tierney, senior advisor for Analysis Group (@analysisgroup) and former assistant secretary of energy for policy, about the role and responsibilities of the energy department.