DENVER – This week as the U.S. Senate holds confirmation hearings on President-elect Donald Trump’s cabinet members, Western Energy Alliance enthusiastically supports Gov. Doug Burgum as Interior Secretary, Chris Wright as Energy Secretary, and Lee Zeldin as Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The trade group praised their understanding of the balance between preserving the environment and delivering the energy the nation needs for a growing economy. The following comments are attributable to Kathleen Sgamma, president of the Alliance:

“President-elect Trump’s nominations are a clear signal his administration will be serious about reinstituting his successful Energy Dominance agenda. All three have the experience to lead their agencies through the technical and bureaucratic challenges ahead and to set America back on course to providing abundant, affordable energy under a predictable regulatory regime that protects the environment. The Alliance urges the Senate to quickly confirm these nominees.

“Governor Doug Burgum is the perfect pick as Interior Secretary to get the agency back to regular order. For the past four years, Interior officials have ignored the will of Congress and violated the law by repeatedly hamstringing federal oil and natural gas development. Coming from North Dakota, Governor Burgum has experience achieving energy dominance in the state while navigating federal and tribal leasing, permitting and environmental issues. North Dakota under his leadership has led the way in balancing huge oil production with a sophisticated regulatory apparatus that protects the land while bringing prosperity to all citizens. He has the deep experience and success necessary to oversee about a quarter of all American oil and natural gas production while ensuring strong stewardship of our precious public lands and minerals.”

“Chris Wright is the right nominee for Energy Secretary at the right time. With a broad and deep understanding of all forms of energy, Mr. Wright can step in on day one to reorient the agency away from misguided policies like the bans on LNG exports and natural gas water heaters toward a mission of bettering human lives, his passion for years. From rural towns in America to remote villages in Africa, he understands unlike anyone else how science, economics, and energy serve people and our environment. He has the ability to move the country away from an alarmist, net-zero energy transition narrative to one of realistic policies that address climate change while erasing energy poverty and delivering abundant, affordable energy to all. Plus, Chris Wright has a special connection with me as a fellow MIT alum and vocal promoter of the oil and natural gas industry. He has shown how American oil and natural gas is a powerful force for good and has carried that message throughout the world.”

“Former Congressman Lee Zeldin has stood against regulatory overreach and for jobs, economic prosperity, and the environment while in Congress and in private practice. He is an excellent choice for implementing President-elect Trump’s agenda of refocusing EPA on real protection of air and water quality, not on ideological notions of justice while ignoring basic protections for all communities. EPA best protects the environment when it works cooperatively with states, not when it wastes effort attempting to exert control over the economy through unrealistic EV mandates and dictating the nation’s power supply. Rep. Zeldin knows how to restore the proper federalism balance with the states, which will result in better environmental protection without squelching economic opportunity.”

# # #