Trump’s energy and environment picks face the Senate
Jan 14, 2025
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Upcoming Senate hearings are poised to challenge Trump's energy and environment picks. Doug Burgum faces tough questions balancing fossil fuels with renewable goals. Meanwhile, the controversial energy nominee’s connections to the oil sector raise eyebrows on climate change. Additionally, nominees voice their opinions on clean energy policies, critiquing recent legislation. A significant Supreme Court decision looms, potentially affecting legal battles against the oil industry over climate accountability.
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Quick takeaways
Doug Burgum's nomination for Secretary of the Interior reflects a balance between oil drilling advocacy and renewable energy goals, indicating a moderate approach to energy policy.
Chris Wright's controversial views on climate change and priority on energy access over clean energy initiatives highlight potential challenges during his Senate confirmation process.
Deep dives
Doug Burgum's Path to Confirmation
Doug Burgum, nominated for Secretary of the Interior, is expected to have a smooth confirmation process due to his moderate reputation as North Dakota's governor. He advocates for increased oil drilling on federal lands, aligning with Trump's energy agenda. North Dakota has seen significant benefits from oil and gas production, particularly through the fracking boom in the Bakken Shale Formation. Additionally, Burgum supports renewable energy, having set goals for carbon neutrality in North Dakota and exploring carbon capture technologies.
Chris Wright's Controversial Climate Perspectives
Chris Wright, nominated as Secretary of Energy, may face significant scrutiny during his confirmation hearing due to his controversial views on climate change and his background in the oil industry. While he acknowledges human contributions to climate change, he places greater priority on energy access and geopolitical energy supply rather than focusing on climate issues. Wright has been critical of government subsidies for clean energy and has expressed concerns about the implications of the Inflation Reduction Act on energy systems. His approach emphasizes supplying energy to allies and growing demand while downplaying the importance of clean energy initiatives.
President-elect Donald Trump’s nominees for the Departments of Interior, Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency will face Senate grillings this week ahead of their confirmation votes. POLITICO’s Zack Colman explains how former North Dakota governor Doug Burgum, Liberty Energy CEO Chris Wright and former Republican congressman Lee Zeldin are expected to fare in the hearings and why the paths to confirmation may vary for each. Plus, the Supreme Court has declined to take up two major climate cases involving the Biden Administration’s last-ditch effort to explain a multi-state pollution reduction plan and oil companies trying to halt state-level lawsuits seeking climate-change damages.