Cartoonishly Corrupt: Oil Change International’s Response to Upcoming Confirmation Hearings for Trump’s Energy and Environment Cabinet Nominees

This week, the Senate will hold confirmation hearings for North Dakota governor Doug Burgum, nominated for Secretary of the Interior; fracking CEO Chris Wright, nominated for Energy Secretary; and former New York Congressman Lee Zeldin, nominated for EPA Administrator. 

In response, Allie Rosenbluth, United States Program Manager at Oil Change International, said: 

“Zeldin, Burgum, and Wright are unqualified to serve in these critical environmental positions. With Zeldin and Burgum each receiving hundreds of thousands [1] in fossil fuel campaign money and Wright’s position as a fracking CEO, their loyalties lie with industry profits, not protecting Americans’ air, water, climate, and working-class families. These men will choose items off the fossil fuel industry’s wishlist over the good of the American people every time. 

“Lee Zeldin, who received an “Oil Slick Award” while in Congress, will attempt to gut critical protections against fossil fuel pollution that increase the risk of cancers, preterm births, and respiratory illnesses. Fossil fuel booster Doug Burgum hopes to open irreplaceable public lands like the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to drilling and fracking. Chris Wright, a climate denier with no prior government experience who essentially purchased his position through $450,000 in Trump campaign contributions [2], will do his best to put a rapid end to President Biden’s pause on new authorizations for liquified natural gas (LNG) exports. While these actions will face stiff legal challenges and public outrage, if allowed to go forward, they will harm public health and safety for the sake of fossil fuel industry profits. According to the International Energy Agency, any new fossil fuel development is incompatible with meeting our climate goals and protecting our communities from devastating climate disasters like the Los Angeles fires. 

“In just the past few months in the US, hundreds of people and counting have died and thousands have lost their homes, schools, and businesses to wildfires and hurricanes supercharged by the climate crisis. Though Trump has chosen his fossil fuel cronies to run the federal government, states and local governments have the power to step up to hold polluters accountable, transition to renewable energy, and build resilience for when climate disaster hits.”

Notes to the editor:

[1]  Lee Zeldin has received at least $410,000 in campaign contributions from the fossil fuel industry. Between his gubernatorial and presidential runs, Doug Burgum has received at least $610,000. 

[2] This figure includes funds donated by Chris Wright’s wife.