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Based on a fresh analysis, numerous of people with experience in the fossil fuel field have been positioned within the existing government, including above 40 who formerly been employed straight for gas firms.

Overview of the Analysis

This analysis examined the backgrounds of nominees and officials serving in the administration and multiple government agencies overseeing energy policy. Those encompass major organizations including the environmental agency, the interior agency, and the Department of Energy.

Larger Regulatory Climate

This review emerges during continuing initiatives to roll back energy regulations and renewable energy incentives. As an example, latest acts have released large regions of public land for mining and phased out funding for sustainable energy.

Amid the barrage of bad things that have happened on the environment arena... it’s important to educate the public that these aren’t just measures from the vague, massive thing that is the government broadly, commented a analyst involved in the report. It is commonly individual actors coming from certain powerful groups that are implementing this damaging pro-industry agenda.

Major Discoveries

Researchers identified 111 staff whom they deemed as fossil fuel insiders and renewable energy opponents. This encompasses 43 people who were personally employed by coal companies. Included in them are high-profile leading officials like the energy secretary, who previously acted as top executive of a hydraulic fracturing firm.

The roster also includes lower-profile administration members. For instance, the office handling renewable energy is headed by a former fracking executive. Likewise, a senior energy consultant in the White House has held top-level positions at prominent petroleum firms.

Further Ties

An additional 12 personnel possess ties to fossil fuel-funded rightwing policy organizations. Those cover ex- members and associates of entities that have actively fought renewable energy and promoted the expansion of fossil fuels.

Moreover 29 additional officials are previous industry leaders from polluting fields whose operations are closely tied to oil and gas. Other personnel have associations with utility providers that sell conventional power or public officials who have advocated pro-gas initiatives.

Agency Focus

Analysts identified that 32 employees at the Interior Department individually have links to polluting industries, establishing it as the most influenced government department. This features the leader of the agency, who has repeatedly accepted oil funding and served as a conduit between energy sector contributors and the government.

Campaign Contributions

Energy supporters donated substantial money to the campaign initiative and ceremony. After taking office, the government has not only established energy-sector rules but also crafted benefits and exemptions that benefit the sector.

Expertise Issues

Besides oil-tied appointees, the researchers noted multiple White House higher-ups who were nominated to influential jobs with scant or no pertinent expertise.

Those officials may not be tied to oil and gas so explicitly, but their inexperience is concerning, said one analyst. It is plausible to think they will be easily influenced, or easy marks, for the fossil fuel objectives.

As an example, the nominee to lead the EPA’s department of legal affairs has limited litigation experience, having not once tried a lawsuit to resolution, never participated in a sworn statement, and not filed a legal request.

During an additional example, a White House advisor working on energy matters arrived to the role after working in jobs separate to the industry, with no apparent relevant field or regulatory experience.

Administration Reaction

A spokesperson for the administration dismissed the analysis, stating that the leadership’s officials are highly qualified to implement on the voters’ directive to increase national fuel production.

Previous and Current Environment

This administration oversaw a massive series of deregulatory measures during its first term. In its present term, equipped with pro-business plans, it has spearheaded a far more extensive and more aggressive crackdown on climate regulations and renewable energy.

There’s no shame, stated a expert. They are proud and prepared to go out there and promote the fact that they are doing benefits for the fossil fuel industry, mining field, the coal business.