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Based on a recent examination, dozens of individuals with histories in the petroleum industry have been positioned within the existing government, comprising above 40 who formerly served directly for gas corporations.

Background of the Analysis

This analysis analyzed the histories of nominees and personnel working in the administration and eight federal departments overseeing climate policy. These cover key entities including the EPA, the Department of the Interior, and the energy office.

Broader Policy Climate

This report surfaces amid continuing efforts to dismantle environmental policies and alternative energy programs. As an example, latest bills have unlocked large sections of government land for drilling and eliminated funding for renewable energy.

Amid the flood of terrible actions that have transpired on the climate front... it’s crucial to remind the public that these are not just actions from the amorphous, ginormous thing that is the government broadly, commented a researcher participating in the study. It is frequently individual actors with ties to certain moneyed groups that are executing this disastrous anti-regulatory program.

Key Discoveries

Analysts found 111 personnel whom they deemed as energy sector veterans and clean energy critics. This encompasses 43 individuals who were directly working by gas enterprises. Included in them are prominent senior executives like the energy secretary, who earlier served as top executive of a oil extraction corporation.

The list furthermore features less prominent government personnel. For example, the office responsible for energy efficiency is led by a former fracking executive. Likewise, a senior regulatory advisor in the administration has held high-ranking roles at prominent energy companies.

Additional Connections

An additional 12 officials have links to fossil fuel-funded rightwing research groups. These cover ex- staff and fellows of entities that have actively fought renewable energy and promoted the expansion of traditional energy.

A total of 29 further staff are ex- corporate managers from heavy industry sectors whose activities are directly connected to oil and gas. Further officials have connections with energy providers that distribute fossil fuels or government representatives who have pushed pro-coal agendas.

Departmental Concentration

Analysts identified that 32 employees at the interior agency individually have connections to fossil fuel sectors, making it the highest affected government department. This includes the secretary of the office, who has long taken industry support and served as a bridge between fossil fuel business donors and the government.

Campaign Finance

Oil and gas supporters contributed sizable resources to the campaign effort and ceremony. After entering the White House, the government has not only enacted industry-friendly rules but also created incentives and tariff carveouts that favor the industry.

Experience Issues

Alongside oil-tied candidates, the authors found multiple White House higher-ups who were nominated to key roles with little or no pertinent expertise.

Those people may not be linked to fossil fuels so closely, but their lack of expertise is concerning, stated a researcher. It is plausible to think they will be pushovers, or easy marks, for the fossil fuel agenda.

As an example, the candidate to lead the environmental agency’s division of chief legal officer has very little legal experience, having not once argued a lawsuit to resolution, nor participated in a deposition, and not presented a motion.

During an additional instance, a White House aide working on energy matters came to the job after being employed in positions disconnected to the sector, with no obvious relevant sector or regulatory expertise.

White House Statement

A representative for the administration criticized the report, commenting that the government’s personnel are exceptionally competent to execute on the people’s directive to boost American energy output.

Historical and Current Backdrop

This government implemented a massive number of deregulatory steps during its previous term. During its current tenure, prepared with rightwing agendas, it has overseen a much broader and stricter rollback on climate rules and alternative sources.

There is no hesitation, commented a researcher. The administration is willing and willing to go out there and publicize the fact that they are doing favors for the oil and gas business, resource industry, the coal business.