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Per a new review, dozens of people with backgrounds in the energy field have been appointed within the present government, including more than 40 who previously served personally for coal firms.

Overview of the Study

This report investigated the profiles of appointees and appointees working in the executive branch and eight national departments responsible for environmental matters. Those encompass key entities including the EPA, the interior agency, and the Department of Energy.

Larger Policy Context

This analysis surfaces amid persistent efforts to weaken environmental regulations and clean energy incentives. For instance, new legislation have unlocked vast areas of public property for drilling and phased out backing for sustainable power.

Amid the flood of negative actions that have occurred on the environment side... it’s vital to remind the people that these are not just actions from the vague, huge thing that is the government broadly, said one researcher involved in the analysis. It is often specific players originating from certain powerful groups that are executing this disastrous deregulatory program.

Significant Results

Analysts identified 111 staff whom they deemed as fossil fuel insiders and renewable energy opponents. This includes 43 people who were directly serving by coal companies. Among them are prominent top leaders such as the head of energy, who formerly served as top executive of a fracking firm.

This group additionally features lesser-known White House personnel. For example, the department responsible for energy efficiency is led by a previous fracking leader. Likewise, a high-level regulatory advisor in the administration has occupied senior jobs at major oil companies.

Other Ties

An additional 12 personnel possess links to energy-financed libertarian policy organizations. Those include previous staff and fellows of groups that have actively resisted alternative sources and promoted the use of traditional energy.

A total of 29 additional officials are former business leaders from polluting fields whose business interests are directly tied to oil and gas. Further individuals have relationships with power firms that sell traditional energy or elected leaders who have pushed pro-oil agendas.

Departmental Focus

Researchers found that 32 personnel at the Interior Department alone have connections to extractive energy, making it the most heavily affected government agency. That includes the head of the office, who has long accepted industry support and served as a conduit between fossil fuel business supporters and the campaign.

Campaign Finance

Energy donors donated significant money to the campaign effort and swearing-in. After assuming power, the administration has not only enacted industry-friendly policies but also designed incentives and exemptions that advantage the field.

Experience Issues

In addition to industry-linked candidates, the authors noted several administration officials who were nominated to key positions with little or no relevant knowledge.

These officials may not be linked to oil and gas so directly, but their unfamiliarity is problematic, said a co-author. It’s logical to think they will be compliant, or susceptible individuals, for the fossil fuel agenda.

For example, the appointee to lead the EPA’s division of chief legal officer has very little litigation history, having not ever tried a case to resolution, nor conducted a sworn statement, and never argued a legal request.

In an additional case, a administration assistant working on regulatory issues moved to the position after working in positions disconnected to energy, with no obvious direct field or administrative background.

White House Statement

One representative for the administration rejected the report, commenting that the administration’s officials are extremely capable to deliver on the people’s mandate to expand American resource production.

Historical and Present Environment

This leadership implemented a significant number of pro-industry actions during its previous tenure. In its present term, prepared with rightwing agendas, it has spearheaded a much more extensive and harsher crackdown on climate policies and alternative sources.

There’s no shame, commented one expert. The administration is willing and ready to go out there and publicize the fact that they are doing assistance for the fossil fuel business, resource industry, the mining industry.