Trump administration puts renewable critic in charge of wind, solar programs
by The Associated Press
An advocate for boosting fossil fuel production on federal lands, Dan Simmons has called for an end to subsidies and tax breaks for wind and solar
Subsidies and tax breaks have helped kick-start the renewable energy industry in the U.S. and elsewhere. PHOTO: Bechtel
WASHINGTON—The Trump administration has named a fervent critic of government support for wind and solar projects to oversee federal renewable energy programs.
The Department of Energy confirmed May 3 that Dan Simmons will lead its Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
Simmons has served as the vice-president for policy at the Institute for Energy Research, a Washington think-tank that has received funding from the fossil-fuel industry. He previously worked at the American Legislative Exchange Council, a conservative group supported by those who profit from the continued burning of fossil fuels.
In an October 2016 blog published on the IER website, Simmons called for ending federal subsidies and tax breaks for wind and solar production. He has also advocated for boosting coal, oil and gas production on federally-owned lands.
