Trump’s Nominees for Interior, Energy, and EPA Have Doubled Down on Raising Costs and Limiting Choices for the American Public

Washington, D.C. — Today, the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) advanced the nominations of Doug Burgum to be Secretary of the Interior and Chris Wright to be Secretary of Energy to the full Senate for consideration. The Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW) advanced Lee Zeldin’s nomination to be Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to the full Senate for consideration. All three nominees have close ties to the oil and gas industry – which donated heavily to elect Trump – and have doubled down on his energy-limiting agenda that has dangerous implications for jobs and the protection of our air and water.

Climate Power executive director Lori Lodes issued the following statement:

“Donald Trump’s day one actions, which restrict energy sources for American families and businesses, show who he’s fighting for – his fossil fuel donors. So, it’s no surprise that his nominees for the top government positions in charge of investing in clean energy, protecting clean air and water, and managing our public lands have close ties to the oil and gas industry. Americans simply can’t afford higher prices, fewer choices, and a doubling down on a fossil fuel-only energy strategy that we know is fueling disasters like those Trump will see firsthand tomorrow in California and North Carolina.”

Here are the facts: 

• Clean energy investments have already spurred more than 750 new clean energy projects or expansions, creating more than 400,000 new jobs.
• Americans have saved billions of dollars via clean energy tax credits, and they’re set to save as much as $38 billion on their electricity bills by 2030.
• Clean energy is cheaper, and transitioning to clean energy would reduce U.S. electricity prices by 20 to 80 percent by 2040.
• In Doug Burgum’s home state of North Dakota, 40 percent of in-state electricity generation is from renewable energy sources. 
• Doug Burgum called for oil and gas exploration and mining activity to be permitted on public lands.
• Chris Wright has a long history of climate denialism, including claiming that global warming does not lead to a significant increase in extreme weather events and saying, “There is no climate crisis.” In his Senate confirmation hearing, Wright doubled down on his comments downplaying the severity of climate-linked wildfires. 
• Lee Zeldin promised to “roll back” protections that keep America’s air and water clean and safe. The first Trump Administration rolled back 125 environmental protections, including those that protect our clean air and water.