US Sec. of Energy Spencer Abraham resigning

Nov. 15, 2004
US Sec. of Energy Spencer Abraham Monday submitted his resignation to President George W. Bush, effective upon confirmation of a successor.

By OGJ editors

HOUSTON, Nov. 15 -- US Sec. of Energy Spencer Abraham Monday submitted his resignation to President George W. Bush, effective upon confirmation of a successor.

In his resignation letter, Abraham cited family considerations.

American Petroleum Institute Red Cavaney called Abraham's leadership "important in the international energy areas, especially in Russia. Sec. Abraham has been a steadfast leader for the nation in vigorously pursuing a sound national energy plan for our nation's future."

Skip Horvath, president of the Natural Gas Supply Association, said Abraham, "has been a steady hand at the helm and a strong advocate for the administration's energy policy, and [NGSA] appreciates his service on behalf of the nation's energy consumers."

During his tenure, Horvath continued, Abraham "recognized the needs of the marketplace," in particular "by commissioning the October 2003 National Petroleum Council study, which highlighted the necessary natural gas industry and government actions that can eventually lead to a more balanced energy future."

A one-term Republican senator from Michigan, Abraham was defeated in a close re-election contest in November 2000. Bush appointed him energy secretary at the beginning of his first term (OGJ, Jan. 8, 2001, p. 30).