BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — A Louisiana congressman is urging President Barack Obama to choose Shaw Group CEO and founder Jim Bernhard as his new energy secretary.

Bernhard told Baton Rouge-based WBRZ-TV 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, a Democrat, didn't immediately return a call for comment about the energy secretary's job.