The Big Story 

Several former Trump administration officials are among the contenders for jobs at environmental agencies, including two who appear to have helped Trump during his campaign.

© Evan Vucci, Associated Press

Here’s a closer look at some people who could take top jobs in the next administration:

Andrew Wheeler

Wheeler served at the helm of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) after the departure of predecessor Scott Pruitt. 

In that role, Wheeler led the rollback of significant environmental protections, including issuing less-stringent climate standards for power plants and cars, as well as looser water pollution regulations. 

Prior to joining the EPA, Wheeler was a lawyer and lobbyist for firms including coal company Murray Energy. 

He appears to remain in Trump’s orbit, with a post on Trump’s Truth Social account indicating Wheeler sent the then-candidate talking points ahead of his debate with President Biden.

David Bernhardt

Bernhardt led the Interior Department in the prior Trump administration after the departure of Ryan Zinke.

Under his tenure, the department expanded opportunities for oil and gas drilling on public lands. A former oil lobbyist, he was known for carrying a list of his potential conflicts of interest. 

He also appears to have remained part of the Trump world: Over the summer, he took part in a Trump campaign and Republican National Committee (RNC) press conference on energy policy.

Dan Brouillette

Brouillette led the Energy Department under Trump following the departure of his predecessor Rick Perry. 

Brouillette had previously worked for financial services firm USAA and Ford Motor Company, as well as the George W. Bush administration.

In 2023,  he joined the Edison Electric Institute, a lobbying group representing power companies, but announced late last month that he would leave that post this year in order to spend time “engaging directly with world business and policy leaders.”

Doug Burgum

Burgum is the outgoing governor of North Dakota and was considered a top contender to be Trump’s vice president before Trump ultimately settled on Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio).

Burgum told CNN after he wasn’t selected as Trump’s running mate that the former president called him “Mr. Secretary.”

Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) told The Hill in July that “over a year ago, Donald Trump asked me if I thought Doug Burgum would be a good energy secretary.”

Cramer said at the time that he thinks Burgum should instead be an overarching energy czar that coordinates government energy policy across the board. 

Read more when the full story runs this weekend at TheHill.com.

Welcome to The Hill’s Energy & Environment newsletter, we’re Rachel Frazin and Zack Budryk — keeping you up to speed on the policies impacting everything from oil and gas to new supply chains.

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News we’ve flagged from other outlets touching on energy issues, the environment and other topics:

• Hochul moves to revive Manhattan toll plan after Trump win (Politico)

   

• ‘A total waste of time’: why Papua New Guinea pulled out of Cop29 and why climate advocates are worried (The Guardian)

• Head of Florida environmental agency to step down (The Tampa Bay Times)

• NC oyster farms face backlash as leases multiply near coastal towns (E&E News)

On Our Radar 

Upcoming news themes and events we’re watching:

• Next week the COP29 global climate summit kicks off in Azerbaijan
  
• The House could vote on bills including one that reduces permitting requirements for geothermal energy production and a bill that would expand the definition of “critical minerals” under law

Wednesday

• The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee will vote on  the nominations of Matthew James Marzano to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Matthew Kaplan as federal cochair of the Great Lakes Authority and 43 General Services Administration resolutions.

What Others are Reading 

Two key stories on The Hill right now:

GOP inches closer to retaining House majority

Control of the House has yet to be determined, as a number of critical races remain too close to call, leaving lawmakers — and voters — waiting to see which party will hold the majority next year. Read more

Jon Stewart: Trump’s 2024 win ‘feels different’ 

“The Daily Show” host Jon Stewart said President-elect Trump’s win this week feels different than when he won in 2016, during his latest podcast episode of “The Weekly Show.”  Read more

Opinions in The Hill 

Op-ed related to energy & environment submitted to The Hill: