WASHINGTON, D.C. — Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm issued the following statement today after the U.S. Senate confirmed Dr. Ali Nouri by voice vote to serve as Assistant Secretary for Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).

“I am so grateful to the Senate for confirming Dr. Ali Nouri to serve as the next Assistant Secretary for Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs at the Department of Energy. As both a scientist and a proven consensus-builder, Ali will bring unparalleled perspective and expertise to his work with Congress and our federal, state, and local government partners on advancing innovative, equitable clean energy solutions, and achieving President Biden’s ambitious climate goals. I know he’s going to be an instrumental asset to our agenda, and I can’t wait to work with him in this new role.”

About Dr. Ali Nouri

Ali Nouri, Ph.D. joined the Biden Administration in January and was serving as the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary in DOE's Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs. Previously, he was the President of the Federation of American Scientists, a public policy organization focused on countering WMDs, addressing emerging infectious diseases, and crafting solutions to energy and innovation challenges. Under his leadership, the organization also tackled science denialism and COVID-19 misinformation by providing timely, science-based information to policy makers and to the public.

Previously, Nouri served as an advisor in the U.S. Senate for nearly a decade, including six years for a member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. During his time in the Senate, he served in various positions including as an Energy and Environment Advisor, a National Security Advisor, and as a Legislative Director. Prior to that, Nouri served as an advisor to the office of UN Secretary General Kofi Annan where he developed initiatives to block biotechnology from being used to produce biological weapons. He earned a B.A. in biology from Reed College and a Ph.D. in molecular biology from Princeton University. He resides in Washington D.C. with his wife, Logan Gibson, and their two sons.