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Based on a new examination, dozens of people with histories in the fossil fuel industry have been appointed within the present leadership, comprising over 40 who earlier worked personally for oil companies.

Overview of the Analysis

This report examined the histories of nominees and personnel positioned in the White House and several federal departments responsible for environmental matters. These encompass key entities like the environmental agency, the interior agency, and the energy office.

Broader Policy Context

This report emerges during continuing efforts to weaken climate rules and renewable energy programs. As an example, latest bills have released large areas of government land for drilling and eliminated backing for renewable energy.

With the barrage of bad things that have occurred on the climate side... it’s vital to inform the public that these are not just actions from the nebulous, massive thing that is the administration broadly, said one researcher involved in the report. It is often particular players with ties to specific powerful interests that are executing this disastrous pro-industry agenda.

Key Results

Authors identified 111 employees whom they classified as industry insiders and clean energy critics. That encompasses 43 people who were directly serving by gas enterprises. Included in them are prominent top executives such as the energy secretary, who previously acted as chief executive of a fracking company.

The roster furthermore contains less prominent administration personnel. For example, the department handling energy efficiency is headed by a previous gas manager. Likewise, a senior energy counsel in the White House has occupied senior roles at major petroleum firms.

Other Links

A further 12 officials possess connections to industry-backed conservative policy organizations. Those encompass previous employees and associates of organizations that have vigorously resisted alternative sources and advocated the continuation of traditional energy.

Additionally 29 further officials are previous industry managers from polluting sectors whose activities are closely linked to oil and gas. Other individuals have associations with power firms that sell traditional energy or government officials who have pushed pro-oil agendas.

Agency Concentration

Analysts discovered that 32 personnel at the interior agency by themselves have links to polluting industries, making it the most influenced national department. That includes the head of the department, who has long taken energy support and acted as a conduit between fossil fuel business donors and the campaign.

Campaign Contributions

Energy donors donated sizable resources to the campaign effort and ceremony. After taking office, the leadership has not only enacted energy-sector rules but also designed tax breaks and exceptions that advantage the field.

Experience Concerns

Alongside oil-tied appointees, the analysts noted multiple government officials who were selected to powerful jobs with minimal or no relevant expertise.

These officials may not be connected to oil and gas so closely, but their unfamiliarity is concerning, said one analyst. It’s plausible to think they will be compliant, or vulnerable targets, for the fossil fuel agenda.

As an example, the candidate to lead the environmental agency’s division of chief legal officer has very little litigation background, having not ever handled a lawsuit to completion, nor participated in a testimony, and not argued a legal request.

During an additional example, a executive aide focusing on regulatory issues arrived to the job after serving in positions unrelated to the sector, with no apparent specific energy industry or policy background.

White House Response

A representative for the White House rejected the report, stating that the leadership’s appointees are highly capable to implement on the people’s directive to increase domestic energy output.

Previous and Present Environment

This government implemented a substantial series of deregulatory steps during its initial period. In its second tenure, backed with conservative agendas, it has overseen a considerably wider and stricter rollback on ecological rules and alternative sources.

There’s no hesitation, stated a researcher. Officials are proud and ready to go out there and tout the fact that they are doing benefits for the energy business, extractive sector, the mining industry.