On January 2, 2019, the U.S. Senate confirmed Daniel Simmons to lead the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
"NASEO applauds the U.S. Senate for this important confirmation, and we are heartened by Assistant Secretary Simmons's desire to deepen the state-federal relationship on energy research, innovation, and planning across a range of energy technologies and sectors" noted David Terry, Executive Director, the National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO). "We look forward to working with the Assistant Secretary to continue strengthening federal-state energy partnerships, through the U.S. State Energy Program, Weatherization Assistance Program, and other DOE energy efficiency and renewable energy programs."
In July 2018, NASEO submitted a letter to Senators Lisa Murkowski and Maria Cantwell, Chair and Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, expressing support for Simmons's confirmation.