Senate committees advance Trump’s energy and environment nominees

President Trump’s picks to lead the nation’s energy and environment-focused agencies all sailed through committee votes Thursday morning.

The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee advanced Interior Secretary Doug Burgum 18-2 and Energy Secretary Chris Wright 15-5.

The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee advanced EPA nominee Lee Zeldin by a vote of 11 to 8, with Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) the only Democrat to vote in favor.

Senators Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) and Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) were the only ones who voted no in favor of Burgum, while Senators Maria Cantwell (D-Washington), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), and Alex Padilla joined them. (Democrat from California) in opposition to Wright.

The nominees will then go to the full Senate for consideration, and the three nominees are expected to ultimately be confirmed. Although they have received some opposition, they are not among Trump’s most controversial cabinet ministers.

Ranking Member for Energy and Natural Resources Martin Heinrich (D.N.M.) supported both nominees before the committee, although he said in remarks before the vote that he was “concerned by the apparent ease with which Mr. Wright has demonstrated the alarming impacts of climate change.” He also expressed concerns about Burgum’s “belief that wind and solar represent unreliable energy sources that are not cost competitive with thermal generation, and that battery technology is not ready for commercial deployment.”

However, he added, “While I have disagreements with these two candidates on many important topics, I have found that healthy relationships with the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Energy are critical to securing the best outcomes for my home state of New Jersey.” Mexico and for the country.”

However, Wyden announced that he would oppose both candidates, citing the clean energy tax credits under the Inflation Control Act, of which he was a key architect, and Trump’s opposition to them.

“President Trump says he wants to beat the Chinese while he appears to favor policies that undermine America’s greatest advantages, and I cannot support candidates who would implement those policies,” Wyden said.

Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D.R.I.), the top Democrat on Environment and Public Works, expressed opposition to Zeldin’s nomination, saying Zeldin did not condemn reported efforts to move EPA headquarters out of Washington or fire agency staff and citing his responsibility. “Op-ed pieces presenting talking points endorsed by major oil companies.”

“Is Li Zeldin able to stand against the political juggernaut of Big Oil? “It is unfortunate that all signs point to no,” he said.

Republican Shelley Moore Capito (RW.Va.) endorsed Zeldin, saying, “I was very pleased during his testimony to see how he intends to run the agency consistent with laws passed by Congress with the goal of prioritizing EPA’s actions at its core.” Agency responsibilities that are essential to protecting health and our land, air, and water.

Burgum’s nomination drew criticism from environmental advocates, who pointed to his support for the fossil fuel industry and his potential support for Trump’s plans to expand drilling and cut back on renewable energy sources. However, he has been relatively free of controversy within Congress itself and testified at a largely collegial hearing last week, with both Republicans and Democrats on the committee praising his track record.

Meanwhile, Wright has received some criticism for his role as CEO of the fracking company and his past comments downplaying the effects of climate change, but his supporters have also pointed to his support for other energy technologies such as nuclear power.

Zeldin has also faced some scrutiny over what Whitehouse described as “Trump’s consulting clients and… anti-climate opinion pieces.”