Illustration: Tiffany Herring/Axios
President Trump's nominees to lead the Interior and Energy departments won broad bipartisan support from the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee as their nominations advanced on Thursday.
- Lee Zeldin, Trump's nominee for EPA administrator, also won approval from the Environment and Public Works Committee.
Why it matters: ENR's 18-2 vote for Interior nominee Doug Burgum and the 15-5 vote for Energy nominee Chris Wright signal a willingness among Democrats to work with the Trump administration on its energy agenda.
- The EPW vote for Zeldin was narrower: 11-8. Some Democrats have expressed concerns about his efforts to undo Biden-era regulations.
What they're saying: Energy Ranking Member Martin Heinrich said Wright, an oil and gas executive with an interest in renewable technologies, had committed to investing in national laboratories, transmission and upholding the law.
- Heinrich voted for Burgum, a former North Dakota governor who talked up fossil fuels during his hearing last week, because a "healthy relationship with the Secretary of Interior is critical to securing the best outcomes for the state of New Mexico," he said.
Both Colorado Democrats announced support for Wright, a fracking executive in Denver.
- Wright "believes in science" and "while we don't always agree, we will work together because none of us have four years to wait to act," Sen. John Hickenlooper said.
- Sen. Michael Bennet called Wright a "successful Colorado entrepreneur with deep expertise in energy innovation and technology."
Reality check: The nominees, if confirmed as is expected, will likely face congressional scrutiny as they assess Biden-era climate programs.
- Wright has said he will immediately assess alleged ethics violations at DOE's Loan Program Office and a full review of the requirement for applicants to file community benefits plans.
What's next: Energy Chairman Mike Lee reiterated his intention to have Burgum and Wright confirmed by the end of January.
