Ashton Carter is staying at Pentagon

Deputy Defense Secretary Ashton Carter is staying at the Pentagon, ending speculation that he will soon be tapped for Secretary of Energy.

With current Energy Secretary Steven Chu widely expected to step down soon, Carter’s name was circulating as a potential successor at DOE, an agency that plays a major security role by overseeing the nation’s nuclear weapons stockpile and nuclear labs.

But a senior administration official said President Obama has asked Carter to stay at the Defense Department.

Carter is looking forward to working with former Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.), Obama’s nominee to replace current Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, the official said.