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Per a new review, numerous of individuals with experience in the petroleum industry have been placed within the existing leadership, including above 40 who earlier worked directly for gas companies.

Background of the Study

The report examined the backgrounds of nominees and personnel working in the administration and several government offices handling environmental regulation. Those encompass key organizations like the environmental agency, the Interior Department, and the Energy Department.

Wider Policy Climate

This analysis comes during continuing efforts to dismantle environmental regulations and clean energy programs. As an example, latest legislation have released vast regions of government land for mining and eliminated support for renewable power.

Amid the barrage of bad developments that have transpired on the climate side... it’s vital to remind 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 report. It is frequently specific players originating from specific moneyed sectors that are executing this damaging anti-regulatory agenda.

Key Results

Researchers found 111 staff whom they considered as energy sector veterans and alternative energy adversaries. That includes 43 individuals who were directly working by oil companies. Included in them are high-profile leading executives like the energy secretary, who earlier worked as chief executive of a oil extraction firm.

The list furthermore includes lesser-known administration personnel. For example, the division handling renewable energy is managed by a ex- fracking executive. In the same vein, a top regulatory advisor in the executive office has occupied senior jobs at large petroleum companies.

Additional Ties

An additional 12 personnel were found to have links to industry-backed libertarian research groups. These include ex- employees and associates of entities that have vigorously fought alternative sources and advocated the expansion of fossil fuels.

A total of 29 other staff are former corporate executives from polluting sectors whose activities are intimately tied to oil and gas. Further personnel have connections with energy firms that sell fossil fuels or elected officials who have supported pro-coal policies.

Agency Concentration

Researchers discovered that 32 personnel at the Department of the Interior by themselves have connections to fossil fuel energy, making it the most heavily affected government agency. This encompasses the leader of the department, who has consistently accepted energy funding and functioned as a conduit between energy sector contributors and the government.

Political Funding

Fossil fuel contributors contributed significant money to the election operation and inauguration. Since assuming power, the leadership has not only enacted pro-fossil fuel rules but also created tax breaks and exemptions that advantage the field.

Expertise Issues

In addition to energy-connected appointees, the authors noted several government higher-ups who were selected to powerful positions with minimal or no pertinent expertise.

These officials may not be connected to the energy sector so closely, but their lack of expertise is problematic, stated one analyst. It’s reasonable to think they will be compliant, or easy marks, for the oil industry’s agenda.

For instance, the nominee to lead the Environmental Protection Agency’s department of legal affairs has very little court history, having never handled a case to verdict, nor taken a deposition, and never presented a court petition.

In an additional instance, a administration advisor focusing on energy matters moved to the job after being employed in roles unrelated to the industry, with no clear relevant sector or regulatory background.

White House Reaction

One representative for the administration rejected the analysis, commenting that the leadership’s personnel are highly capable to execute on the people’s mandate to expand national energy output.

Historical and Current Backdrop

The leadership enacted a substantial array of anti-environmental measures during its initial tenure. In its present term, backed with conservative blueprints, it has initiated a much broader and more aggressive dismantling on environmental rules and clean power.

There’s no embarrassment, said one expert. The administration is eager and willing to go out there and publicize the fact that they are doing benefits for the energy business, resource industry, the energy business.