The fossil-fuel sector had a friend in Ronald Reagan, who appointed James Watt as the Secretary of the Interior. Watt could be a model for what Trump has in mind for appointments, including posts for the Interior, Energy, and the EPA. Watt was a lawyer who was on the side of those opposing regulations and conservation. He became known as the "anti-environmentalist."
Not too long ago, Dick Cheney was behind getting fracking exempted from national environmental laws with a clause known as "The Halliburton Loophole".
Today, energy companies have an outsized influence on American politics. It's easy to make the connections: just follow the money. The Koch brothers have opposed regulations at every turn to make sure that their bottom line stays untouched. They have backed up their agenda with generous campaign contributions.
Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK), a staunch climate denier, has received in excess of 1.7 million dollars from gas and oil companies during the period of 1989 to 2015. Oklahoma has seen an upsurge in earthquakes (5,417 in 2014), attributed to the increase in fracking activity.
When Rachel Maddow broke the story that President-elect Donald Trump was widening his Secretary of State search to include both the former and present CEOs of Exxon Mobil, a shudder went through me. (So much for draining the swamp of special interests and the big-money boys.) The possibility was clear that Trump was considering a mashup of corporate, big energy, and Wall Street interests. (Fossil fuels was one of the stocks to shoot up after the Trump win.)
ExxonMobil ranks as the top fracking company in the United States. Yet, Rex Tillerson made news when he didn't want fracking in his backyard.
Now, he is a nominee-in-waiting.
Hauter calls for a "grassroots insurgency" to take place both in the United States and around the world.
The country is witnessing a true example of organic activism in the Standing Rock movement. Solidarity and support came from groups inclusive of religious leaders, war veterans, and anti-pipeline advocates.
On December 4, the Army Corps of Engineers announced it would not move forward with granting a permit for the Dakota Access pipeline to drill under the Missouri River.
This example goes beyond serving as a template. It exemplifies the importance of demanding accountability, and stands as a reminder that what transpires is on each of us, as American citizens.
January 20th isn't the end. It is, in fact, a new beginning".
To protect our communities, our children, and the future of the planet.
This article originally appeared on Moms Clean Air Force.
Tell Your Senators: Stand Up to Trump's Climate Denial
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