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Based on a new analysis, dozens of individuals with backgrounds in the petroleum field have been placed within the present leadership, including above 40 who earlier been employed straight for coal firms.

Background of the Analysis

This study analyzed the histories of nominees and appointees positioned in the administration and multiple national offices handling environmental regulation. Those encompass key organizations including the EPA, the interior agency, and the energy office.

Broader Regulatory Climate

The review surfaces while ongoing initiatives to weaken environmental rules and alternative energy incentives. As an example, recent acts have opened extensive regions of government territory for mining and phased out funding for renewable energy.

Amid the flood of terrible things that have occurred on the climate arena... it’s crucial to educate the citizens that these are not just actions from the amorphous, massive thing that is the leadership generally, commented a analyst participating in the analysis. They are frequently particular actors with ties to specific powerful groups that are implementing this disastrous deregulatory plan.

Major Results

Authors identified 111 employees whom they deemed as industry insiders and renewable energy opponents. This includes 43 officials who were previously working by oil enterprises. Among them are prominent senior executives such as the energy secretary, who earlier served as chief executive of a hydraulic fracturing firm.

This list additionally contains lower-profile administration members. As an illustration, the division overseeing clean technology is managed by a previous oil manager. Likewise, a high-level regulatory counsel in the executive office has served in top-level positions at major energy corporations.

Further Links

Another 12 personnel possess connections to energy-financed libertarian thinktanks. These cover ex- members and researchers of groups that have strongly fought renewable energy and championed the continuation of traditional energy.

Moreover 29 additional officials are ex- business managers from heavy industry fields whose activities are intimately connected to fossil fuels. Other personnel have connections with utility providers that sell traditional energy or government officials who have advocated pro-oil policies.

Agency Concentration

Analysts discovered that 32 personnel at the Interior Department by themselves have connections to fossil fuel sectors, making it the highest affected national department. This features the secretary of the department, who has consistently received oil support and functioned as a bridge between fossil fuel sector supporters and the campaign.

Campaign Finance

Oil and gas donors provided significant funds to the campaign operation and ceremony. After entering the White House, the government has not only established pro-fossil fuel rules but also designed tax breaks and tariff carveouts that favor the field.

Expertise Issues

Besides oil-tied candidates, the researchers found multiple government higher-ups who were appointed to key positions with minimal or no relevant expertise.

Those individuals may not be connected to oil and gas so explicitly, but their inexperience is problematic, remarked a analyst. It’s plausible to think they will be pushovers, or easy marks, for the oil industry’s agenda.

As an example, the appointee to lead the Environmental Protection Agency’s department of legal affairs has very little legal background, having not ever argued a lawsuit to completion, not conducted a deposition, and never presented a court petition.

In another case, a administration assistant focusing on energy matters moved to the position after working in positions disconnected to the sector, with no apparent direct sector or administrative experience.

Administration Reaction

One representative for the executive branch dismissed the findings, stating that the administration’s officials are highly capable to execute on the voters’ mandate to boost national fuel production.

Previous and Present Environment

This administration oversaw a substantial series of pro-industry steps during its previous period. During its second tenure, backed with rightwing agendas, it has initiated a far broader and harsher crackdown on ecological rules and renewable energy.

There’s no hesitation, said one expert. They are willing and prepared to go out there and publicize the fact that they are performing favors for the oil and gas industry, extractive sector, the mining industry.