🔗 Share this article

Based on a fresh examination, numerous of individuals having experience in the petroleum industry have been positioned within the existing leadership, comprising over 40 who earlier been employed directly for coal firms.

Overview of the Analysis

The analysis analyzed the profiles of appointees and appointees serving in the executive branch and multiple national offices responsible for climate regulation. Those include important organizations including the EPA, the Department of the Interior, and the Department of Energy.

Wider Policy Context

The report emerges during continuing actions to dismantle environmental regulations and renewable energy supports. For example, latest bills have opened vast regions of government land for extraction and phased out funding for clean power.

Amid the barrage of bad things that have occurred on the environment front... it’s crucial to remind the citizens that these aren’t just steps from the nebulous, ginormous thing that is the leadership broadly, commented one researcher participating in the report. They are often particular individuals coming from particular wealthy groups that are implementing this disastrous anti-regulatory agenda.

Key Discoveries

Authors identified 111 employees whom they classified as fossil fuel insiders and alternative energy adversaries. That includes 43 officials who were previously working by gas companies. Included in them are high-profile leading executives including the energy secretary, who previously acted as CEO of a oil extraction corporation.

The group additionally features less prominent government personnel. For instance, the division handling energy efficiency is led by a previous gas leader. In the same vein, a high-level policy consultant in the executive office has occupied senior positions at prominent energy corporations.

Additional Connections

Another 12 appointees possess links to fossil fuel-funded libertarian thinktanks. These encompass ex- employees and researchers of entities that have actively opposed renewable energy and championed the use of fossil fuels.

Additionally 29 additional appointees are previous corporate executives from polluting sectors whose activities are intimately connected to fossil fuels. Additional officials have connections with power companies that market traditional energy or public representatives who have supported pro-coal policies.

Agency Concentration

Investigators found that 32 staff at the interior agency alone have ties to polluting sectors, making it the most compromised national body. This features the secretary of the office, who has repeatedly received industry donations and served as a link between oil and gas sector supporters and the administration.

Political Contributions

Energy supporters contributed substantial money to the campaign operation and inauguration. After assuming power, the government has not only established industry-friendly policies but also crafted tax breaks and tariff carveouts that advantage the field.

Experience Concerns

In addition to oil-tied appointees, the researchers noted a number of government leaders who were appointed to powerful positions with little or no subject matter knowledge.

Those people may not be tied to oil and gas so closely, but their lack of expertise is dangerous, stated a analyst. It’s plausible to think they will be easily influenced, or susceptible individuals, for the fossil fuel objectives.

For example, the nominee to lead the Environmental Protection Agency’s office of general counsel has very little legal history, having not ever tried a case to verdict, nor participated in a testimony, and nor presented a motion.

During an additional instance, a executive advisor focusing on energy matters arrived to the job after working in jobs disconnected to the sector, with no apparent specific sector or policy experience.

White House Reaction

One spokesperson for the White House dismissed the analysis, saying that the government’s appointees are highly competent to deliver on the people’s instruction to boost American energy output.

Previous and Current Backdrop

The government enacted a significant series of anti-environmental steps during its previous term. During its present tenure, prepared with conservative blueprints, it has initiated a considerably more extensive and more aggressive rollback on climate policies and alternative sources.

There is no hesitation, said one researcher. Officials are eager and prepared to go out there and tout the fact that they are performing favors for the oil and gas sector, extractive industry, the mining business.