Research

AP: “Chu Said He Was Unaware Of His Staff Predictions In 2009 That Solyndra Was Likely To Face Severe Cash-Flow Problems.”

http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/11/17/2506556/chu-takes-responsibility-for-solyndra.html#ixzz1dzAiJeRp

Energy Secretary Steven Chu said Thursday that no one from the White House ever contacted him to make a political decision on a half-billion-dollar loan to a California solar company that later went bankrupt. Testifying under oath on a widening controversy, Chu said he was unaware of his staff predictions in 2009 that Solyndra was likely to face severe cash-flow problems. He said that market changes which led to a steep decline in the price of solar panels were "totally unexpected."

National Journal: “Told Lawmakers On Thursday That He Was Unaware That Officials At His Department Urged Solyndra To Hold Off On Announcing Planned Layoffs…”

http://www.nationaljournal.com/chu-politics-had-no-influence-on-solyndra-20111117

Chu also told lawmakers on Thursday that he was unaware that officials at his department urged Solyndra to hold off on announcing planned layoffs in 2010 until after the Nov. 2 elections, prior to which the Obama administration was touting Solyndra as a successful use of funds from the controversial stimulus package in 2009. “I don’t know. I just learned about that,” Chu replied to Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas, when Barton asked whether Chu knew about Solyndra's delay in announcing layoffs.

USA Today: “Told Lawmakers That He Was Unaware That DOE Officials Were Urging Solyndra To Delay…”

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2011/11/chu-denies-political-considerations-in-solyndra-loan/1

Chu also told lawmakers that he was unaware that DOE officials were urging Solyndra to delay an announcement of layoffs last fall as the company's financial situation was becoming more dire. On Oct. 30, 2010, advisers for Argonaut Equity, the primary investor in Solyndra, noted in an e-mail between venture capital firm's staff that DOE officials were encouraging Solyndra to hold off an announcement until Nov. 3—one day after midterm elections, according to internal correspondence released by the GOP earlier this week. "Political decisions were being made in your department," Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La. told Chu. "I hope that someone is going to be held accountable." 

PBS NewsHour’s “The Rundown” Blog: “Testified That He Was Unaware Of Predictions By Energy Department Staffers…”

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/2011/11/chu-tells-lawmakers-solyndra-decisions-were-not-based-on-political-considerations.html

Chu also testified that he was unaware of predictions by Energy Department staffers in 2009 that Solyndra was likely to face cash flow issues.

ABC News: Secretary Chu “Surprised And Dismayed To See Emails Surface Suggesting His Department…”

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/chu-solyndra-loan-result-incompetence-politics/story?id=14972476

Energy Secretary Steven Chu told Congress Thursday he was surprised and dismayed to see emails surface suggesting his department "pushed very hard" for Solyndra to delay announcing its first round of layoffs until after the midterm elections in November 2010. "I was not part of that decision, and I certainly would not have been in favor of that decision," Chu told a House investigative committee. "I don't believe it's a proper way to do business."