Donald Trump has tapped former Texas governor Rick Perry to run the Department of Energy. In the past Perry has said he wants to eliminate the department, and it’s almost certain that Perry will push for fewer regulations on fossil fuels such as oil, coal, and gas than the Obama administration. However, there’s always a chance that we will simply be trading one type of cronyism – subsidies for solar, wind, and other forms of green energy – for special treatment by government of the big fossil fuel lobbies. It’s notable that Perry sits on the Board of the company building the controversial Dakota Pipeline, so we can expect that oil will be high on his priority list.
The Secretary of Energy also plays a major role in maintaining the nation’s nuclear weapons arsenal, leaving us all hoping he can avoid any further “oops” moments like the one he had in 2012.
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