Rick Perry, former Texas governor, is Trump's pick to lead DOE

December 21st, 2016 by Dakota Software Staff Industry News

As President-elect Donald Trump moves closer to officially taking his seat in the oval office, he's made a number of selections for high-level government positions. These department secretaries, administrators and other leadership positions will have a hand in shaping U.S. domestic and foreign policy for the next four, and potentially eight, years. One such choice could have a major impact on EHS management, with Rick Perry, former Texas governor, appointed to lead the Department of Energy. That's a major shift from recent appointees for a number of reasons, and another unique selection by the incoming administration.

Perry's background
On the national level, Perry is best known as a former governor of Texas and a participant in the early stages of the GOP's presidential nomination process in recent elections, including both 2012 and 2016. Many may also know Perry for an unclear statement on limiting the federal government provided during the 2012 election season, frequently referred to as a political gaffe. Perry said he would eliminate three federal agencies during a primary debate in 2011, but could only name two. He eventually cited the Department of Energy as the third agency later on in the debate.

The previous sentiment expressed by Perry toward the Department of Energy and his upcoming role in leading it is a conundrum of sorts, and in some ways it's unclear what's in store for the department once he takes over. While a total elimination of the agency is doubtful, there could be some major changes ahead.

Perry is also known for his work with energy resources as governor of Texas. While leading the state, he invested resources into both oil and natural gas and renewable energy resources, like wind power. As NBC News pointed out, those decisions were made with an economic mindset first and foremost - Perry invested in renewable resources when it made sense for the state on a financial basis. That openness to newer forms of energy production as well as more traditional methods could mean a generally accepting stance toward businesses and environmental interests that are sometimes pitted against one another.

The future of the Department of Energy
Perry has a tall order as head of the Department of Energy, a federal agency with an exceptionally varied portfolio. He has to contend with the country's nuclear weapons program, radioactive waste disposal efforts, genomics research and domestic energy production, along with a number of other responsibilities. Critics have pointed to Perry's lack of scientific background or real-world experience in relation to a number of those Department of Energy initiatives, noting that both the Bush and Obama administrations selected leaders more versed in those topics and programs. While Perry has experience with energy production and conservation, he lacks significant exposure to the variety of nuclear efforts and other responsibilities under his department's purview.

There may be some good news for the oil and natural gas and utility industries with this selection, as Perry has advocated for those groups in the past. His support of oil and natural gas could mean the Department of Energy will take more positions supporting a variety of industry activity. Investments and support for oil and gas exploration and extraction expansion could result. Perry is on record as doubting the existence of climate change, as Reuters highlighted. which means Department of Energy policies in place around emissions and other concerns could become lower priorities, or be changed or removed entirely.

Selecting a new Department of Energy leader who was once opposed to the department's existence is a unique high-level political situation, and one that could mean major changes going forward.