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Based on a recent examination, dozens of individuals with backgrounds in the energy sector have been positioned within the present government, including more than 40 who previously served straight for coal companies.

Overview of the Study

This report analyzed the histories of appointees and officials positioned in the executive branch and eight federal departments overseeing energy policy. These cover major bodies like the EPA, the interior agency, and the Department of Energy.

Broader Policy Environment

The analysis comes during continuing efforts to roll back energy regulations and clean energy supports. For example, new bills have opened extensive regions of public property for mining and eliminated support for renewable sources.

With the flood of bad things that have occurred on the environment arena... it’s crucial to inform the citizens that these aren’t just steps from the amorphous, ginormous thing that is the leadership generally, said a researcher participating in the study. It is frequently specific actors coming from particular moneyed groups that are implementing this disastrous deregulatory agenda.

Key Findings

Researchers identified 111 staff whom they considered as energy sector veterans and clean energy critics. That covers 43 officials who were directly employed by coal enterprises. Among them are well-known leading leaders such as the top energy official, who formerly served as chief executive of a oil extraction corporation.

The list also contains lesser-known administration personnel. As an illustration, the division responsible for renewable energy is headed by a previous gas executive. In the same vein, a high-level energy consultant in the administration has occupied senior roles at large energy companies.

Further Connections

A further 12 officials possess links to energy-financed libertarian research groups. These include former members and fellows of groups that have actively resisted renewable energy and promoted the use of fossil fuels.

A total of 29 additional officials are previous business leaders from polluting sectors whose operations are directly connected to oil and gas. Other officials have connections with power companies that sell traditional energy or government representatives who have advocated pro-coal initiatives.

Departmental Emphasis

Researchers identified that 32 staff at the Interior Department individually have links to polluting energy, rendering it the most heavily compromised federal agency. This encompasses the head of the department, who has consistently received industry donations and acted as a conduit between fossil fuel industry contributors and the government.

Campaign Finance

Fossil fuel donors donated sizable funds to the election initiative and inauguration. Since entering the White House, the leadership has not only enacted energy-sector regulations but also created incentives and exemptions that favor the sector.

Qualifications Questions

Besides industry-linked appointees, the researchers noted several White House higher-ups who were appointed to influential jobs with minimal or no subject matter experience.

Those officials may not be tied to the energy sector so directly, but their inexperience is dangerous, stated one analyst. It’s plausible to think they will be pushovers, or vulnerable targets, for the fossil fuel plans.

As an example, the nominee to lead the environmental agency’s division of legal affairs has limited court experience, having not once handled a lawsuit to completion, never participated in a sworn statement, and nor filed a court petition.

During another instance, a executive aide dealing on energy matters arrived to the position after serving in positions disconnected to the sector, with no apparent specific sector or regulatory expertise.

Administration Reaction

One official for the administration rejected the analysis, saying that the administration’s officials are extremely competent to deliver on the people’s instruction to increase national energy output.

Previous and Present Context

The leadership implemented a significant series of pro-industry steps during its first period. During its second tenure, prepared with conservative plans, it has spearheaded a far more extensive and more aggressive dismantling on environmental rules and clean power.

There’s no shame, said one expert. The administration is proud and willing to go out there and publicize the fact that they are doing assistance for the oil and gas sector, mining field, the mining sector.