Who Will Lead Energy, Environment Agencies Under Trump?

Deep Dive into the Potential Candidates and Their Environmental Stances

The incoming Trump administration has yet to announce its picks to lead the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), two agencies that will play a key role in shaping the nation's energy and environmental policies for years to come. Several potential candidates have emerged for both positions, each with their own unique backgrounds and perspectives on these critical issues.

Potential Candidates for the Department of Energy (DOE)

Harold Hamm, the founder and CEO of Continental Resources, is a leading contender to head the DOE. Hamm is a strong advocate for fossil fuels and has been critical of renewable energy sources. He has also expressed skepticism about climate change, saying that he does not believe it is "a man-made phenomenon." Hamm's appointment would likely signal a shift towards a more pro-fossil fuel agenda at the DOE.

Another potential candidate for the DOE is Rick Perry, the former governor of Texas. Perry has a more mixed record on energy issues. He has supported both fossil fuels and renewable energy, and he has also acknowledged the need to address climate change. However, Perry has also been critical of the EPA and its regulations, so his appointment to the DOE could lead to a less aggressive approach to environmental protection.

Other potential candidates for the DOE include Mike Pompeo, the current director of the CIA, and Bob Murray, the CEO of Murray Energy. Pompeo has no experience in energy policy, but he is a close ally of Trump and would likely be a loyal supporter of the president's agenda. Murray is a staunch supporter of the coal industry and has been a vocal critic of the EPA's regulations on coal-fired power plants. His appointment to the DOE would likely lead to a more pro-coal agenda at the agency.

Potential Candidates for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

The Trump administration is also considering several potential candidates to lead the EPA. One of the leading contenders is Scott Pruitt, the attorney general of Oklahoma. Pruitt is a staunch opponent of the EPA and has joined several lawsuits against the agency. He has also expressed skepticism about climate change, saying that he is "not a scientist" and that he does not know whether it is "a hoax or a real thing." Pruitt's appointment to the EPA would likely signal a major rollback of environmental regulations.

Another potential candidate for the EPA is Myron Ebell, the director of the Center for Energy and Environment at the Competitive Enterprise Institute. Ebell is a well-known climate change skeptic and has called for the EPA to be abolished. He has also been critical of renewable energy sources and has advocated for a more pro-fossil fuel agenda. Ebell's appointment to the EPA would likely lead to a major shift in the agency's priorities.

Other potential candidates for the EPA include Kathleen Hartnett White, a former commissioner of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, and David Schnare, a professor of law at the University of Maryland. White is a strong opponent of the EPA and has called for the agency to be "completely dismantled." Schnare has a more mixed record on environmental issues, but he has also been critical of the EPA's regulations. His appointment to the EPA could lead to a more moderate approach to environmental protection.

Conclusion

The Trump administration's picks to lead the DOE and the EPA will have a major impact on the nation's energy and environmental policies. The potential candidates for these positions have a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives, and their appointments will likely signal a significant shift in the direction of both agencies.