Heads Roll

Official Resigns Over Solyndra

Head of DOE’s loan program steps down.

The Solyndra debacle has claimed its first victim. The head of the Energy Department’s loan-guarantee program has decided to step down. Jonathan Silver had taken heat for the approval of a loan guarantee for the troubled solar company Solyndra, which declared bankruptcy Aug. 31. Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-FL), chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Oversight Subcommittee, had called for Silver to resign. But Energy Secretary Steven Chu said Silver had already planned to leave at the end of the fiscal year. “Because of my absolute confidence in Jonathan and the outstanding work he has done, I would welcome his continued service at the department, but I completely understand the decision he has made,” Chu said.