The Energy Department on Thursday unveiled its list of new members for Secretary Chris Wright’s advisory board, including executives from the fossil fuel and clean energy worlds.
The board, which is advisory in nature, will meet quarterly “to advise the Secretary on emerging issues related to DOE’s activities and to provide recommendations for improving the Department’s operations,” the department said.
“It’s an honor to welcome these exceptional leaders to the Secretary of Energy Advisory Board,” Wright said in a news release. “Their diverse backgrounds and expertise will be invaluable as we work together to expand access to affordable, reliable, and secure American energy.”
Of the 20 new members of the “Secretary of Energy Advisory Board,” at least six come from an oil and gas-specific background, including: Chevron CFO Eimear Bonner, Cheniere President and CEO Jack Fusco, and Marathon Petroleum Corporation President and CEO Maryann Mannen, among others. Coal power, a favorite of the Trump administration, has some representation on the board as well in the form of Alliance Resource Partners CEO Joe Craft. GE Vernova’s Scott Strazik was also tapped, as was Bill Fehrman — president and CEO of American Electric Power. DOE on Wednesday said it had finalized a $3.26 billion loan to AEP’s main subsidiary in Texas to help support the state’s grid.
