It is rather interesting choice and at least encouraging there was a scientist appointed as opposed to a politician (of course we are ALL politicians by nature...;-)

Also announced was appointment of energy 'czar', who used to head EPA: (from WSJ)

Democratic officials said. Carol Browner, a former Environmental Protection Agency administrator in the Clinton administration, will coordinate energy policy in the White House as a new "energy czar." Los Angeles Deputy Mayor Nancy Sutley is to be named the chairwoman of Mr. Obama's Council on Environmental Quality. Mr. Obama also picked Lisa Jackson to head the Environmental Protection Agency, according to Democrats familiar with the choice. Ms. Jackson is currently chief of staff to New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine of and previously was commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. She has led her state's efforts to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from automobiles and other sources. Ms. Jackson, who is from New Orleans, is the third African American to be named to Mr. Obama's cabinet. Mr. Chu, if confirmed, may be the first Nobel Laureate in the cabinet, but his role will likely be focused on the Energy Department's core science and nuclear weapons issues. Ms. Browner will bring renewable energy and energy efficiency policy into the White House.

Overlap between energy and the environment is both smart and necessary