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Based on a new review, scores of personnel with backgrounds in the fossil fuel industry have been positioned within the existing leadership, featuring more than 40 who earlier served personally for oil companies.

Context of the Report

This report examined the profiles of nominees and appointees serving in the administration and eight national offices responsible for energy regulation. Those include major organizations such as the EPA, the Interior Department, and the Department of Energy.

Broader Policy Context

This report emerges while continuing actions to dismantle energy rules and clean energy programs. For example, latest legislation have unlocked large areas of federal property for extraction and phased out backing for clean energy.

With the flood of bad developments that have occurred on the climate side... it’s vital to remind the people that these aren’t just actions from the nebulous, ginormous thing that is the leadership generally, said one analyst participating in the report. It is commonly particular players originating from certain powerful interests that are carrying out this disastrous pro-industry agenda.

Major Findings

Analysts identified 111 personnel whom they considered as industry insiders and clean energy critics. This includes 43 people who were personally serving by gas companies. Among them are prominent senior executives such as the top energy official, who formerly acted as chief executive of a fracking firm.

The group also features lesser-known administration personnel. For example, the department handling renewable energy is managed by a previous gas leader. Likewise, a top regulatory advisor in the executive office has occupied top-level jobs at prominent petroleum corporations.

Additional Connections

Another 12 officials possess connections to fossil fuel-funded rightwing research groups. Those include ex- employees and fellows of organizations that have vigorously opposed renewable energy and advocated the expansion of conventional sources.

A total of 29 other staff are ex- industry managers from heavy industry sectors whose operations are directly linked to fossil fuels. Additional individuals have associations with power providers that sell traditional energy or elected leaders who have advocated pro-gas initiatives.

Agency Concentration

Analysts found that 32 personnel at the interior agency alone have links to fossil fuel industries, making it the highest compromised government department. That encompasses the leader of the agency, who has repeatedly taken industry support and served as a bridge between oil and gas industry donors and the campaign.

Political Finance

Energy donors contributed significant funds to the election effort and swearing-in. Since entering the White House, the government has not only established pro-fossil fuel policies but also created tax breaks and tariff carveouts that favor the sector.

Experience Questions

In addition to industry-linked appointees, the analysts found multiple White House higher-ups who were selected to influential positions with scant or no subject matter expertise.

These individuals may not be linked to fossil fuels so closely, but their inexperience is dangerous, stated a researcher. It’s logical to think they will be compliant, or vulnerable targets, for the oil industry’s agenda.

For instance, the candidate to lead the EPA’s department of chief legal officer has very little litigation history, having not ever handled a legal matter to resolution, never conducted a testimony, and nor argued a court petition.

In a separate case, a administration assistant focusing on energy matters arrived to the role after working in jobs disconnected to the sector, with no clear specific energy industry or policy experience.

White House Response

One official for the executive branch dismissed the report, stating that the leadership’s personnel are exceptionally capable to execute on the voters’ instruction to increase American energy development.

Previous and Current Context

This leadership enacted a significant array of deregulatory steps during its previous term. During its present tenure, prepared with conservative blueprints, it has spearheaded a much more extensive and stricter rollback on climate regulations and renewable energy.

There is no shame, commented one researcher. The administration is eager and willing to go out there and promote the fact that they are executing benefits for the oil and gas business, resource field, the energy sector.