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According to a new examination, numerous of personnel with histories in the fossil fuel sector have been placed within the existing administration, including over 40 who formerly served personally for coal firms.

Context of the Study

This report analyzed the histories of candidates and appointees serving in the administration and several federal offices responsible for climate policy. These cover important organizations like the EPA, the interior agency, and the Department of Energy.

Broader Regulatory Climate

The review surfaces while persistent efforts to dismantle climate policies and renewable energy supports. For example, recent acts have unlocked large areas of government property for extraction and phased out support for clean energy.

Amid the barrage of negative actions that have happened on the climate front... it’s important to educate the people that these are not just steps from the vague, ginormous thing that is the administration broadly, commented a researcher engaged in the analysis. They are frequently specific individuals with ties to particular moneyed interests that are executing this damaging deregulatory program.

Key Findings

Authors discovered 111 staff whom they considered as energy sector veterans and clean energy critics. That encompasses 43 officials who were directly serving by oil enterprises. Among them are high-profile leading officials like the energy secretary, who earlier acted as CEO of a hydraulic fracturing firm.

This roster also features less prominent White House staff. As an illustration, the office overseeing clean technology is managed by a ex- gas executive. Likewise, a top regulatory advisor in the administration has occupied senior jobs at major petroleum firms.

Other Connections

Another 12 personnel possess ties to energy-financed rightwing thinktanks. These include ex- employees and fellows of entities that have strongly resisted clean power and advocated the continuation of fossil fuels.

A total of 29 further appointees are ex- corporate managers from manufacturing sectors whose business interests are directly connected to fossil fuels. Additional officials have relationships with power companies that distribute traditional energy or public representatives who have advocated pro-oil agendas.

Departmental Concentration

Researchers discovered that 32 staff at the interior agency individually have links to polluting industries, establishing it as the most affected federal agency. That features the head of the office, who has consistently received industry support and served as a link between energy industry donors and the administration.

Political Funding

Energy contributors donated sizable resources to the campaign initiative and ceremony. Since entering the White House, the administration has not only established industry-friendly policies but also crafted benefits and tariff carveouts that favor the sector.

Qualifications Issues

Besides energy-connected appointees, the authors identified multiple White House higher-ups who were appointed to powerful positions with little or no relevant expertise.

Those individuals may not be linked to oil and gas so explicitly, but their inexperience is problematic, stated one analyst. It is reasonable to think they will be compliant, or vulnerable targets, for the oil industry’s plans.

As an example, the appointee to lead the Environmental Protection Agency’s division of legal affairs has minimal court experience, having not once handled a legal matter to resolution, nor participated in a testimony, and not filed a court petition.

In an additional example, a administration aide dealing on energy matters moved to the position after serving in positions separate to the industry, with no clear relevant energy industry or regulatory experience.

Administration Response

A official for the administration dismissed the analysis, commenting that the leadership’s personnel are highly qualified to implement on the people’s instruction to expand domestic resource development.

Historical and Present Environment

The government oversaw a substantial array of pro-industry steps during its initial term. During its present tenure, equipped with pro-business blueprints, it has initiated a much more extensive and more aggressive dismantling on environmental regulations and alternative sources.

There is no embarrassment, commented one researcher. They are proud and ready to go out there and promote the fact that they are performing benefits for the fossil fuel sector, resource industry, the coal business.