Ernest Moniz facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ernest Moniz
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| 13th United States Secretary of Energy | |
| In office May 21, 2013 – January 20, 2017 |
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| President | Barack Obama |
| Deputy | Daniel Poneman Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall |
| Preceded by | Steven Chu |
| Succeeded by | Rick Perry |
| Under Secretary of Energy for Energy and Environment | |
| In office October 29, 1997 – January 20, 2001 |
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| President | Bill Clinton |
| Preceded by | Steven Chu |
| Succeeded by | Robert G. Card |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Ernest Jeffrey Moniz
December 22, 1944 Fall River, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Naomi Moniz |
| Education | Boston College (BS) Stanford University (MS, PhD) |
| Signature |  |
Ernest Jeffrey Moniz is an American scientist and former government official. He was born on December 22, 1944. From May 2013 to January 2017, he served as the 13th United States Secretary of Energy when Barack Obama was president.
Before this, Moniz worked in science and energy roles during the Clinton administration. He was an associate director for science from 1995 to 1997. He also served as an undersecretary of energy from 1997 to 2001. Today, he helps lead the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI). This group works to prevent dangerous weapons from spreading. He also leads the Energy Futures Initiative (EFI), which focuses on new energy ideas and climate technology.
Moniz has also worked at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He was a professor of physics and engineering systems. He also directed the Energy Initiative there. He has given advice to several energy companies.
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Early Life and Education
Ernest Moniz was born in 1944 in Fall River, Massachusetts. His parents were immigrants from São Miguel Island in the Azores, Portugal. He went to B.M.C. Durfee High School in Fall River. He was a good student and led the school's math club.
After high school, Moniz studied at Boston College. He earned his bachelor's degree in physics. In 1972, he received his master's and Ph.D. degrees in theoretical physics from Stanford University.
Career in Government and Science
After finishing his studies, Moniz joined the faculty at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1973. He became the head of the physics department from 1991 to 1995. He also directed the Bates Linear Accelerator Center.
Moniz worked for the government during the Clinton administration. From 1995 to 1997, he was an associate director for science. He then worked in the United States Department of Energy. He served as undersecretary of energy from 1997 to 2001.
In 2005, Moniz helped start The Cyprus Institute. This is a research center where scholars work on different projects. In 2013, he received an honorary degree from a university in Spain. This was for his work on energy policies.
Serving as U.S. Secretary of Energy (2013–2017)
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On May 16, 2013, the Senate voted to approve Ernest Moniz as the new Secretary of Energy. The vote was 97 to 0. He took over from Steven Chu. Moniz was officially sworn into office on May 21, 2013.
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Moniz played a key role in talks about the Iranian nuclear program. He helped negotiate the technical details with Iran's atomic energy minister. This led to an important agreement on July 14, 2015.
Some groups had concerns about his nomination. They worried about his support for nuclear power and fracking. However, President Obama chose him partly because of his experience working with energy companies.
Work After Government Service
In June 2017, Moniz became a leader at the Nuclear Threat Initiative. This group works to prevent major attacks using dangerous weapons. These include nuclear, biological, and cyber threats.
He also started a group called the Energy Futures Initiative. Here, he promotes ideas for solving climate change. He calls his idea a "Green Real Deal." This plan focuses on practical, science-based solutions.
In 2018, the government of Saudi Arabia asked Moniz to join an advisory board. This board helps with the Neom project. This is a huge city being planned in Saudi Arabia.
In November 2020, Moniz was considered for Energy Secretary again. This time it was for the Biden Administration. However, Jennifer Granholm was chosen for the role instead. In 2023, he received another honorary degree from a university in the Azores, Portugal. This was to recognize his important work around the world.
Honors and Awards
Grand Cross of the Order of Makarios III, Cyprus, 2008
Grand Cross of the Order of Prince Henry, Portugal, 2015
Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun, Japan, 2017- Doctor Honoris Causa, Universidad Pontificia Comillas de Madrid, Spain, 2013
- Doctor Honoris Causa, University of the Azores, Azores, Portugal, 2023
- Fellow, American Physical Society, USA, 1989
- Fellow, American Academy of Arts and Sciences, USA, 2019
- Member, American Philosophical Society, USA, 2020
- Autonomic Commendation of Recognition from the Regional Government of the Azores, Azores, Portugal, 2023
