Trump picks Department of Energy critic to determine U.S. energy policy

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Donald Trump has tapped Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry to lead the Department of Energy. Trump has publicly prioritized increasing fossil fuel projects during his first 100 days in office.

Friends of the Earth Climate and Energy Director Benjamin Schreiber issued the following response:

Rick Perry might be uniquely unqualified to run the Department of Energy. He has so little regard for the agency that he has pushed for it to be eliminated during his presidential race. 

Governor Perry also has serious conflicts of interest that should disqualify him from the job. Perry is on the payroll of the company that attacked Indigenous people in an effort to forcibly construct the Dakota Access Pipeline. Like his new boss, Governor Perry will surely mine his position for as much personal gain as he can find.

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Contact: Kate Colwell, (202) 222-0744, [email protected]