🔗 Share this article Report Shows More Than 40 Trump Administration Nominees Hold Strong Ties to Oil Sector Based on a recent examination, dozens of people having backgrounds in the petroleum industry have been positioned within the existing government, including more than 40 who formerly worked personally for coal companies. Context of the Study This study examined the profiles of candidates and personnel serving in the administration and several national departments overseeing climate regulation. Those encompass important organizations such as the Environmental Protection Agency, the Interior Department, and the Energy Department. Wider Regulatory Context The review comes while continuing efforts to weaken climate policies and alternative energy supports. For example, new acts have unlocked vast regions of federal property for mining and phased out support for clean energy. Amid the firehose of bad actions that have occurred on the climate arena... it’s important to inform the people that these are not just measures from the vague, ginormous thing that is the leadership broadly, stated one author involved in the report. It is commonly individual individuals originating from certain moneyed interests that are executing this damaging deregulatory program. Major Results Analysts discovered 111 staff whom they classified as fossil fuel insiders and clean energy critics. This covers 43 people who were directly working by gas firms. Among them are well-known senior executives such as the top energy official, who formerly worked as chief executive of a hydraulic fracturing company. This group additionally features lower-profile White House staff. As an illustration, the division overseeing clean technology is headed by a former fracking executive. Similarly, a high-level energy consultant in the executive office has served in senior positions at large energy companies. Additional Ties A further 12 officials possess links to fossil fuel-funded rightwing thinktanks. These encompass ex- members and researchers of groups that have vigorously resisted clean power and advocated the expansion of traditional energy. A total of 29 further appointees are previous corporate managers from heavy industry sectors whose operations are intimately tied to fossil fuels. Other personnel have connections with power companies that market conventional power or public leaders who have supported pro-oil agendas. Agency Focus Investigators found that 32 staff at the interior agency by themselves have links to extractive sectors, making it the most influenced government agency. This includes the head of the agency, who has long accepted industry support and functioned as a conduit between energy industry supporters and the administration. Campaign Funding Oil and gas donors contributed sizable funds to the campaign effort and inauguration. Since assuming power, the administration has not only implemented energy-sector rules but also created benefits and tariff carveouts that advantage the industry. Experience Issues Besides energy-connected nominees, the analysts noted multiple administration leaders who were selected to key positions with little or no subject matter knowledge. These individuals may not be connected to oil and gas so explicitly, but their lack of expertise is concerning, remarked one co-author. It’s logical to think they will be compliant, or easy marks, for the fossil fuel agenda. For example, the nominee to lead the EPA’s department of general counsel has limited legal history, having not once argued a lawsuit to resolution, never taken a testimony, and nor presented a motion. During an additional example, a administration aide working on energy policy arrived to the role after serving in roles disconnected to the sector, with no clear relevant energy industry or regulatory background. White House Reaction One representative for the administration rejected the analysis, saying that the administration’s officials are exceptionally qualified to deliver on the people’s directive to increase national resource production. Historical and Present Backdrop This leadership enacted a massive number of pro-industry measures during its previous tenure. During its present tenure, prepared with conservative agendas, it has overseen a far more extensive and harsher rollback on environmental regulations and alternative sources. There is no shame, stated a expert. The administration is eager and prepared to go out there and publicize the fact that they are doing favors for the oil and gas sector, mining sector, the mining business.