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Based on a fresh examination, numerous of personnel having backgrounds in the petroleum industry have been placed within the existing administration, comprising more than 40 who earlier been employed straight for coal companies.

Overview of the Report

This study analyzed the histories of candidates and appointees positioned in the administration and eight national offices overseeing energy regulation. Those cover major entities including the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of the Interior, and the Department of Energy.

Broader Policy Environment

The report surfaces amid ongoing initiatives to weaken environmental regulations and alternative energy programs. For instance, new legislation have released large areas of federal property for extraction and reduced funding for sustainable sources.

With the flood of bad actions that have occurred on the ecological arena... it’s crucial to educate the citizens that these aren’t just steps from the amorphous, huge thing that is the leadership writ large, said one researcher engaged in the analysis. It is often specific individuals with ties to particular wealthy groups that are executing this harmful deregulatory program.

Key Results

Researchers discovered 111 employees whom they considered as energy sector veterans and renewable energy opponents. That encompasses 43 individuals who were directly working by coal companies. Included in them are prominent senior executives including the top energy official, who earlier served as chief executive of a fracking firm.

The roster furthermore contains lesser-known White House personnel. For example, the office overseeing clean technology is headed by a former oil executive. In the same vein, a senior regulatory advisor in the White House has served in senior positions at large energy firms.

Other Links

Another 12 appointees were found to have connections to fossil fuel-funded rightwing policy organizations. Those cover previous members and fellows of entities that have actively opposed alternative sources and championed the expansion of fossil fuels.

Additionally 29 additional officials are previous industry managers from heavy industry industries whose operations are closely linked to fossil fuels. Additional individuals have associations with energy companies that sell traditional energy or government officials who have advocated pro-coal policies.

Departmental Focus

Investigators discovered that 32 employees at the interior agency alone have connections to extractive sectors, making it the most heavily compromised national body. This features the leader of the department, who has consistently accepted energy support and functioned as a link between energy industry contributors and the administration.

Campaign Finance

Energy contributors donated substantial money to the campaign initiative and swearing-in. Since assuming power, the administration has not only established energy-sector policies but also created benefits and exceptions that benefit the field.

Expertise Concerns

In addition to oil-tied nominees, the researchers identified a number of government higher-ups who were selected to key roles with little or no pertinent experience.

These individuals may not be linked to the energy sector so explicitly, but their inexperience is problematic, stated one analyst. It’s plausible to think they will be pushovers, or susceptible individuals, for the oil industry’s plans.

As an example, the appointee to lead the EPA’s department of legal affairs has minimal litigation background, having not once argued a case to completion, nor taken a testimony, and nor presented a court petition.

During a separate instance, a executive advisor working on energy matters arrived to the role after being employed in positions separate to energy, with no clear direct sector or administrative background.

White House Reaction

One representative for the administration criticized the analysis, commenting that the administration’s appointees are highly competent to deliver on the voters’ mandate to expand American resource output.

Previous and Present Environment

This government enacted a significant series of anti-environmental measures during its previous tenure. During its present tenure, prepared with rightwing blueprints, it has initiated a far more extensive and harsher rollback on ecological policies and clean power.

There’s no hesitation, commented one analyst. Officials are willing and prepared to go out there and publicize the fact that they are performing favors for the energy sector, extractive field, the mining business.