**This article was written on 01/17/17 so if some candidates have change their status it will not be mentioned**
On January 20th, 2017 Donald Trump will be the President of the United States that no one saw coming. Many people wait with anticipation to see what happens to the country under his rule. The one thing I am curious about is the environment. President Trump is all for business and usually people do not believe it can exist in peace with a healthy environment. So I decided to take a look at those nominated to the cabinet that could effect the natural state of the USA.
Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): Scott Pruitt (Nominee)
The role of EPA Administrator is to regulate things such as the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and more. The effects of pollution do effect the environment but it also effects our health via interaction (what we eat, drink, exposed to, etc). For example, the Clean Water Act makes sure that you are not drinking water mixed with Clorox someone poured down the drain.
Immediately when I looked him up, I saw that he sued the EPA 13 times, has close ties to the fossil fuel industry, and is a climate change denier according to a Huffington Post article.
Please watch this John Oliver segment. It's too funny
Secretary of Energy: Rick Perry (Nominee)
"The Department of Energy (DOE) is responsible for advancing the national, economic and energy security of the United States through the implementation of policies regarding nuclear power, fossil fuels, and alternative energy sources". http://www.allgov.com/departments/department-of-energy?detailsDepartmentID=565
Perry is on the board of directors of Energy Transfer Partners constructing the Dakota Access Pipeline.
Even though I may not agree with the DAPL, this is not the worst guy for the job. He clearly has experience and is going to provide energy security with an alternative resource (natural gas). Does it disregard the areas he is disrupting? No that is sacred land, but that should be someone else's job to figure out how to make it work.
I understand why he was chosen but the planning of the pipeline might need revision for environmental and cultural purposes. After all it is a useful transition resource. Ween the nation of off oils to natural gas that produces 2x more energy and 2x less pollution. The actual process of fracking, however, has to be improved to decrease the likability of water pollution.
Secretary of State: Rex Tillerson (Nominee)
Tillerson's job description is along the lines of international affairs, however he has been a controversial figure due to being the Chairman, President, and CEo of Exxon Mobile. Also, the United States is one of the leading emitters of Greenhouse Gases, which effects people around the world.
Chairman, President and CEO of Exxon Mobile. According to npr.org, Tillerson is cutting his ties with Exxon Mobile and has promised to not return to that industry for 10 years. If he violates the agreement, the money from his shares will be donated to charity. Be selling, Tillerson's trust will be 7 million, which is a lot for a common person, but he would have had a retirement package of 180 million if he had retired this March. He seems to be making sacrifices of money, so I am hopeful that his best interest is for the country and not his wallet. I mean he has so much money that he does not even have to worry.
