Commerce chief to make clean energy a priority

NEW YORK / WASHINGTON - US President Barack Obama's selection of John Bryson, a former utility executive from southern California, as commerce secretary, highlights the White House's desire to develop clean and renewable energy industries in the United States and foster a stronger partnership with China in the energy sector, experts said.

"China has been surging ahead on clean energy with the understanding that investments in the energy sector will lead to economic prosperity. I think the US can really learn from this," said Rebecca Lefton, policy analyst at the Center for American Progress.

Lefton added that the US is in danger of losing its competitive edge because of its lack of clean energy policies.