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Based on a fresh examination, numerous of personnel with backgrounds in the energy field have been appointed within the current government, comprising more than 40 who formerly been employed straight for gas corporations.

Context of the Report

The analysis investigated the backgrounds of appointees and officials working in the administration and multiple federal departments responsible for energy policy. These encompass key entities including the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of the Interior, and the energy office.

Wider Policy Context

This review emerges amid ongoing efforts to roll back energy rules and alternative energy incentives. For example, recent legislation have opened large areas of public land for drilling and phased out support for sustainable power.

With the flood of negative actions that have happened on the climate side... it’s important to inform the public that these aren’t just measures from the amorphous, massive thing that is the government broadly, stated one author involved in the study. They are frequently particular individuals coming from specific powerful sectors that are executing this damaging pro-industry plan.

Major Findings

Authors identified 111 personnel whom they classified as fossil fuel insiders and clean energy critics. That encompasses 43 people who were personally serving by coal companies. Included in them are prominent senior officials including the top energy official, who previously acted as CEO of a fracking firm.

This list additionally features lesser-known government members. As an illustration, the office responsible for clean technology is led by a former oil manager. Likewise, a high-level policy counsel in the White House has served in high-ranking positions at large petroleum companies.

Other Connections

An additional 12 personnel possess links to fossil fuel-funded rightwing policy organizations. These encompass ex- members and fellows of groups that have vigorously opposed renewable energy and championed the expansion of traditional energy.

Moreover 29 additional appointees are previous industry executives from polluting fields whose activities are closely linked to oil and gas. Additional officials have associations with energy companies that market fossil fuels or public representatives who have supported pro-coal initiatives.

Departmental Emphasis

Researchers discovered that 32 employees at the Department of the Interior individually have connections to extractive sectors, establishing it as the most compromised federal body. This includes the secretary of the agency, who has consistently received energy funding and acted as a conduit between energy industry donors and the administration.

Political Funding

Fossil fuel donors contributed substantial funds to the campaign effort and swearing-in. After entering the White House, the government has not only implemented energy-sector rules but also designed incentives and tariff carveouts that benefit the sector.

Experience Issues

In addition to energy-connected nominees, the authors noted several administration leaders who were selected to influential positions with minimal or no relevant expertise.

These people may not be tied to oil and gas so explicitly, but their inexperience is dangerous, said a analyst. It is reasonable to think they will be pushovers, or easy marks, for the oil industry’s plans.

As an example, the nominee to lead the environmental agency’s division of chief legal officer has minimal legal background, having not ever argued a lawsuit to resolution, not participated in a deposition, and not filed a motion.

In a separate case, a White House assistant working on energy policy moved to the job after working in jobs separate to energy, with no apparent direct sector or regulatory expertise.

Administration Statement

One representative for the administration criticized the findings, commenting that the government’s personnel are exceptionally competent to deliver on the public’s instruction to increase national fuel production.

Historical and Present Backdrop

The leadership implemented a substantial series of deregulatory measures during its previous tenure. In its current term, prepared with rightwing agendas, it has overseen a considerably more extensive and harsher rollback on environmental regulations and clean power.

There’s no hesitation, stated a analyst. The administration is eager and prepared to go out there and tout the fact that they are performing assistance for the energy business, extractive sector, the coal business.