Analysis Finds More Than 40 Trump Administration Officials Possess Close Ties to Oil Sector

Per a fresh analysis, scores of personnel with experience in the petroleum industry have been appointed within the existing leadership, featuring above 40 who earlier served directly for gas firms.

Overview of the Study

This study examined the backgrounds of nominees and officials serving in the administration and several national agencies handling environmental regulation. Those include key entities such as the EPA, the interior agency, and the Department of Energy.

Wider Policy Climate

The analysis emerges while continuing initiatives to weaken climate regulations and clean energy supports. For example, latest bills have released vast areas of government land for extraction and reduced support for sustainable power.

With the barrage of bad things that have transpired on the climate front... it’s important to remind the people that these aren’t just steps from the amorphous, ginormous thing that is the leadership generally, said one analyst participating in the report. It is commonly particular players originating from particular powerful groups that are implementing this harmful anti-regulatory plan.

Major Discoveries

Researchers found 111 employees whom they classified as fossil fuel insiders and alternative energy adversaries. That encompasses 43 individuals who were directly serving by oil firms. Included in them are well-known senior executives including the top energy official, who earlier served as top executive of a hydraulic fracturing firm.

The list furthermore contains lower-profile administration personnel. For example, the division overseeing clean technology is led by a former fracking leader. Similarly, a top regulatory advisor in the executive office has served in senior jobs at prominent oil companies.

Additional Ties

A further 12 appointees were found to have ties to energy-financed rightwing policy organizations. Those cover ex- members and researchers of groups that have vigorously fought alternative sources and advocated the expansion of traditional energy.

Additionally 29 additional staff are ex- business executives from manufacturing industries whose business interests are intimately connected to oil and gas. Other individuals have associations with power providers that distribute conventional power or elected leaders who have advocated pro-coal agendas.

Agency Concentration

Analysts discovered that 32 employees at the interior agency by themselves have links to fossil fuel industries, rendering it the most influenced government body. This encompasses the secretary of the department, who has long received industry funding and functioned as a link between fossil fuel sector contributors and the campaign.

Political Funding

Energy contributors donated substantial funds to the election operation and ceremony. Since taking office, the leadership has not only enacted pro-fossil fuel regulations but also designed benefits and exemptions that benefit the industry.

Expertise Questions

In addition to industry-linked nominees, the researchers identified multiple government officials who were nominated to influential roles with minimal or no subject matter knowledge.

These individuals may not be tied to oil and gas so explicitly, but their inexperience is concerning, stated one researcher. It’s plausible to think they will be easily influenced, or vulnerable targets, for the energy sector’s plans.

For instance, the nominee to lead the Environmental Protection Agency’s division of chief legal officer has limited court background, having never handled a lawsuit to verdict, never participated in a testimony, and not presented a legal request.

During another instance, a White House advisor dealing on regulatory issues arrived to the role after being employed in positions disconnected to the sector, with no obvious relevant field or policy background.

White House Reaction

A spokesperson for the administration criticized the findings, saying that the leadership’s appointees are extremely capable to execute on the people’s directive to expand national fuel output.

Historical and Current Context

This administration enacted a significant series of deregulatory actions during its initial period. During its current term, backed with conservative blueprints, it has spearheaded a considerably wider and more aggressive rollback on climate rules and clean power.

There’s no embarrassment, stated a researcher. They are proud and ready to go out there and publicize the fact that they are performing assistance for the fossil fuel business, resource field, the energy industry.