WBRZ - Baton Rouge

BATON ROUGE - A Louisiana congressman is urging President Barack Obama to choose Shaw Group CEO and founder Jim Bernhard as his new energy secretary.

Bernhard told News 2 last week that he was being considered to fill the position being vacated by Stephen Chu. And U.S. Rep. Rodney Alexander, a Republican, says he believes Bernhard would be the right selection for the job in Obama's cabinet.

Alexander released a statement Monday declaring his support for Bernhard.

The congressman says Bernhard's experience and background from an energy-producing state would put him "in a unique position to offer fresh ideas to help lower energy costs and achieve energy sustainability."

Bernhard recently sold Shaw to Texas-based CB&I for more than $3 billion.