Dive Brief:

• Former Energy Department Secretary Steven Chu was “crushed” by the voluntary energy efficiency standards for cable and satellite TV boxes that were approved in December.

• The pay-TV industry fought the standards because they would require replacing the boxes, Chu said.

• The 2009 greenhouse gas cap-and-trade bill got too complicated and wasn't adequately supported by the White House, according to Chu. Cap-and-trade can work but you have to keep it “brutally simple,” Chu said.

Dive Insight:

In a wide-ranging speech, Chu offered insights into two key issues still on the agenda in Washington: energy efficiency standards and cap-and-trade. His comments show how hard it is to get things done in Washington.