President Trump's picks to head the nation's energy and environment-focused agencies all went through committee votes Thursday morning.
The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee defeated Interior Department nominee Doug Burgum 18-2 and Energy Department nominee Chris Wright 15-5.
The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee boosted Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) nominee Lee Zeldin by an 11-8 vote, with Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) the only Democrat voting yes. state).
Sens. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Maisie Hirono (D-Hawaii) were the only ones to vote against Burgum, along with Sens. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) and Catherine Sens. Cortez-Masto (D-Nev.) and Alex Voted No. Padilla (D-Calif.) joined them in running against Wright.
The nominees will then be debated in the full Senate, and all three are expected to be approved in the end. They had their opponents, but they were not among President Trump's most controversial Cabinet members.
Energy and Natural Resources Ranking Member Martin Heinrich (DN.M.), who supported both candidates on the committee, said before the vote that “Mr. I'm concerned that we're making things too easy.” They also expressed concern about Burgum's “belief that wind and solar energy are unreliable energy sources that are not cost-competitive with thermal power generation, and that battery technology is not ready for commercial deployment.”
However, he added, “While I have disagreements with both candidates on some important topics, I need to work closely with the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Energy to ensure the best outcome for my home state of New York.'' “We found that strong relationships are extremely important,” he added. For Mexico and the country. ”
But Wyden said he opposes both candidates, citing President Trump's opposition to clean energy tax credits and the Anti-Inflation Act, of which he was a key architect.
“President Trump has said he wants to defeat China, but he seems to favor policies that undermine America's greatest advantages, and I cannot support a candidate who implements these policies,” Wyden said.
Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D.R.I.), the top Democrat on the environment and public works, announced his opposition to Zeldin's nomination, and Zeldin has criticized reports of attempts to move EPA headquarters from Washington and efforts by Fire Department officials. He pointed out Zeldin's criticism. “An editorial spouting key points approved by major oil companies.”
“Can Lee Zeldin stand up to that big oil political juggernaut? Sadly, all signs point to no,” he said.
Republican Shelley Moore Capito (R-Va.) endorsed Zeldin, saying: It is the responsibility of government agencies that are essential to the health and protection of our land, air, and water. ”
Burgum's nomination has drawn criticism from environmentalists for his support for the fossil fuel industry and his potential support for President Trump's plans to expand drilling and cut renewable energy. . But he has remained relatively free of controversy within Congress, testifying in a largely collegial hearing last week, where both Republicans and Democrats on the committee praised his performance.
Meanwhile, Wright has come under some fire for his role as CEO of a hydraulic fracturing company and for past comments downplaying the effects of climate change, but his supporters argue that he believes other energy technologies, such as nuclear power, He also points out that he supports it.
Zeldin also faced some scrutiny for what the White House described as “Trump-linked consulting clients and…anti-climate change commentary.”
