ATOMICALLY SPEAKING | Reliability Is National Security: A Conversation with Deputy Secretary of Energy James P. Danly

[on-hold music] We are delighted today to welcome to Atomically Speaking the Deputy Secretary of Energy, James P. Danly, who was sworn into this august position on June 9th, 2025.

I can attest from firsthand experience it's the best job nobody's heard of in Washington.

Uh, and he comes to this position supremely qualified.

Before arriving at DOE, the Dep Sec was a partner and the, uh, energy regulatory group lead at the firm of Skadden in Washington, DC.

This followed his service at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, first as the commission's general counsel, and then as commissioner and chairman.

Uh, very significantly, the deputy was an officer in the US Army and served valiantly two tours in Iraq, receiving both the Bronze Star and a Purple Heart, and sir, we thank you for your service in defense of our nation.

Uh, he is a graduate of Yale University, and earned his JD at Vanderbilt University Law School, clerked for Judge Danny Boggs of the Sixth Circuit.

And I would be remiss if I did not say about a half an hour ago on an earlier podcast, uh, Chairman Chuck Fleishman sang your praises and wished you very warm regards, sir.

That's nice.

Thank you.

I appreciate that intro.

Yeah.

And by the way, you'll be happy to know the Forrestal Building is still standing even in your absence.

[laughs] I am very attached to it.

It's good to know.

It's good to know indeed.

[on-hold music] We are delighted today to welcome to Atomically Speaking the Deputy Secretary of Energy, James P. Danly, who was sworn into this august position on June 9th, 2025.

I can attest from firsthand experience it's the best job nobody's heard of in Washington.

Uh, and he comes to this position supremely qualified.

Before arriving at DOE, the Dep Sec was a partner and the, uh, energy regulatory group lead at the firm of Skadden in Washington, DC.

This followed his service at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, first as the commission's general counsel, and then as commissioner and chairman.

Uh, very significantly, the deputy was an officer in the US Army and served valiantly two tours in Iraq, receiving both the Bronze Star and a Purple Heart, and sir, we thank you for your service in defense of our nation.

Uh, he is a graduate of Yale University, and earned his JD at Vanderbilt University Law School, clerked for Judge Danny Boggs of the Sixth Circuit.

And I would be remiss if I did not say about a half an hour ago on an earlier podcast, uh, Chairman Chuck Fleishman sang your praises and wished you very warm regards, sir.

That's nice.

Thank you.

I appreciate that intro.

Yeah.

And by the way, you'll be happy to know the Forrestal Building is still standing even in your absence.

[laughs] I am very attached to it.

It's good to know.

It's good to know indeed.