🔗 Share this article

According to a fresh examination, scores of individuals with histories in the fossil fuel field have been positioned within the current leadership, featuring more than 40 who formerly worked personally for coal corporations.

Background of the Analysis

This report investigated the backgrounds of candidates and personnel working in the executive branch and several government offices handling energy regulation. These cover important entities like the EPA, the Interior Department, and the Department of Energy.

Larger Administrative Climate

The analysis comes amid persistent initiatives to roll back energy policies and renewable energy incentives. As an example, recent bills have opened vast sections of government property for drilling and eliminated support for renewable energy.

With the firehose of bad things that have occurred on the ecological side... it’s important to educate the citizens that these are not just steps from the nebulous, ginormous thing that is the administration writ large, commented one author engaged in the study. It is frequently particular actors originating from particular wealthy sectors that are carrying out this disastrous pro-industry plan.

Significant Discoveries

Analysts discovered 111 employees whom they considered as fossil fuel insiders and clean energy critics. This encompasses 43 officials who were personally employed by gas firms. Among them are well-known top leaders including the top energy official, who formerly worked as top executive of a oil extraction firm.

This roster furthermore contains lower-profile government members. For example, the office responsible for clean technology is led by a former fracking executive. In the same vein, a senior energy counsel in the White House has occupied top-level positions at large energy firms.

Additional Connections

A further 12 personnel possess ties to fossil fuel-funded libertarian research groups. Those cover ex- members and associates of organizations that have strongly fought alternative sources and promoted the expansion of traditional energy.

A total of 29 other staff are ex- corporate leaders from heavy industry industries whose operations are intimately tied to energy resources. Other individuals have relationships with power providers that sell fossil fuels or public officials who have supported pro-gas initiatives.

Departmental Emphasis

Researchers found that 32 staff at the Interior Department alone have connections to polluting energy, making it the most influenced federal agency. That includes the head of the office, who has consistently accepted energy funding and served as a link between energy industry supporters and the administration.

Campaign Finance

Energy supporters contributed substantial money to the campaign operation and inauguration. After assuming power, the administration has not only implemented pro-fossil fuel rules but also crafted tax breaks and exemptions that benefit the sector.

Qualifications Questions

Besides energy-connected candidates, the analysts identified several administration higher-ups who were nominated to influential jobs with scant or no pertinent expertise.

These people may not be linked to the energy sector so closely, but their unfamiliarity is concerning, stated a researcher. It’s reasonable to think they will be easily influenced, or susceptible individuals, for the energy sector’s objectives.

For example, the candidate to lead the environmental agency’s office of general counsel has very little legal experience, having not once handled a legal matter to completion, never conducted a testimony, and nor argued a legal request.

In another example, a executive advisor dealing on energy matters came to the job after serving in positions unrelated to energy, with no obvious specific sector or administrative experience.

White House Reaction

One representative for the administration criticized the analysis, saying that the leadership’s appointees are exceptionally competent to execute on the voters’ mandate to increase American energy production.

Historical and Current Environment

The administration oversaw a massive number of pro-industry steps during its first tenure. In its second tenure, prepared with pro-business plans, it has spearheaded a considerably broader and harsher crackdown on climate policies and clean power.

There’s no hesitation, stated one analyst. Officials are proud and ready to go out there and promote the fact that they are doing benefits for the oil and gas sector, mining industry, the energy business.