So what exactly does change look like? Barack Obama has ambitious energy and environmental plans. If he wins on Nov. 4, who will he recruit to carry them out? Will he rely more heavily on Washington newcomers or on Clinton administration veterans who know their way around the White House?
Obama's choice for a transition team leader -- John Podesta, former Clinton chief of staff -- suggests he's willing to look back to the Clinton years for top staff. But Obama has also surrounded himself with bright and accomplished advisers (note our interviews with energy policy chief Jason Grumet and director Heather Zichal) who are newer to the national scene. Will he fill Cabinet-level environmental jobs with fresh faces or stick to a more traditional path with ex-governors and Washington lawmakers? We asked campaign advisors, nonprofit conservation advocates, think-tank types, lobbyists, academics, and friendly looking folks behind us in line at the co-op. It's a cardinal sin in Washington to openly speculate on these matters before an election, so we promised confidentiality to many sources.
(Also check out John McCain's possible cabinet picks.)
Energy | EPA | Agriculture | Interior | Climate Czar
Managing the nation's energy policy and nuclear safety is one of the most glamourless, thankless Cabinet-level positions, according to former Department of Energy officials. The secretary oversees the nation's nuclear weapons stockpile and nuclear waste disposal and a lot of private contracts. "You get a whole lot of responsibility for regulating, but you don't get a lot of credit for achieving good things in the political process," said Walter Rosenbaum, a former DOE consultant and energy policy scholar. Still, the position could take on more prominence in the next administration, given the amount of attention the candidates devoted to energy during the campaign.
Jason Grumet.
Jason Grumet
The Obama campaign's lead energy and environment advisor first started working with the senator when he arrived in Washington in 2005. In helping Obama develop his energy platform, Jason Grumet drew from his experience as head of the National Commission on Energy Policy and the Bipartisan Policy Center. Grumet's think-tank work has focused on building consensus among diverse interests, though the NCEP's 2004 energy report annoyed many environmentalists by calling for pollution permits to be given free of charge to polluters and by supporting a "safety valve" that would limit the price of pollution credits. This job has traditionally gone to seasoned governors and lawmakers, but Obama has shown affinity for policy wonks like Grumet. (Read a Grist interview with Grumet.)
Ed Rendell.
Ed Rendell
With energy issues in the national spotlight, a veteran politician with deal-brokering experience could be at a premium. The Pennsylvania governor has worked to curb mercury emissions from the state's coal-fired power plants, adopted California's tough clean-car regulations, and pushed tax credits and other measures to attract renewable energy companies. Ed Rendell was one of Hillary Clinton's key supporters during the Democratic primary, but has since campaigned for Obama. If he delivers his swing state next month, this spot (or another in Obama's Cabinet) could be his for the taking.
Dan Reicher.
Dan Reicher
Dan Reicher [PDF] has recently talked up geothermal energy as the potential "killer app" of the energy world. He gets his techie metaphors at Google.org, the philanthropic arm of the search engine giant, where he is director of climate change and energy initiatives. Before that he worked as an assistant energy secretary under President Clinton, a lawyer for the Natural Resources Defense Council, and a sales executive at a renewable energy firm. Reicher's knowledge of venture capital and commercializing green technology make him an appealing candidate to Bill Becker, executive director of the Presidential Climate Action Project. "We're facing one of the most promising worldwide market opportunities that we've ever had, and we need this kind savvy business experience," Becker said. (Watch a Grist interview with Reicher.)
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Comments View as Flat
2wheelsgood Posted 10:22 pm
31 Oct 2008
Christine Gregoire
I believe this governor of WA would be worth considering for this important position. She has a good head on her shoulders and led the state's Dept of Ecology for several years in the 90s before her path to Attorney General and then the Governorship. Washington is a microcosm of the west with its wonderful natural land resources, its coastal and interior politics, cultures and land use. Gregoire earned much respect standing up to US DOE negotiating the Hanford Agreement. She also gets the "vision thing" better than most. Her enlightened, pragmatic progressive leadership would have the support of environmentalists who know her solid capabilities.
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ejadvocate Posted 4:30 am
03 Nov 2008
Diversity
Apart from Bill Richardson, there are no people of color in your potential picks for environmental cabinet positions. I am happy to see that women are well represented but there is a glaring lack of diversity in your choices. Given the rise of Van Jones, it would be insincere to argue that there are no people of color that would make excellent cabinet choices. Many of the challenges and consequences of climate change will be borne onto communities of color and low-income communities. It's time that environmental decision-makers began to mirror the realities of the communities they are meant to protect.
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Storm Dragon Posted 11:35 am
04 Nov 2008
An important question
Who will he pick for Secretary of Homeland Security? Whoever holds this position has tremendous power where laws protecting the environment are concerned-and, I'm sorry to say, the current secretary has grievously abused this power.
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colinpeppard Posted 4:58 am
05 Nov 2008
What about Transportation Secretary?!?
Why does everyone leave out this potentially critical position when talking about key environmental appointments? The U.S. transportation sector is more than 1/3 of our greenhouse gas problem. Efficient cars and alternative fuels are not going to be enough to solve the problem.
We need a new mission at US Dept. of Transportation to quit building ever more highway lanes and interchanges and begin building out a national system of efficient public transportation and passenger rail, along with an expansion of freight rail. Paired with smarter metropolitan land development, there is the potential for huge GHG reductions.
Some thoughts for DOT Secretary:
Congressman Earl Blumenauer, OR
Doug Foy, Serrafix Principle and former MA Director of Commonwealth Development
Former Governor Parris Glendening, MD
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carol from jersey Posted 5:43 am
05 Nov 2008
dept of agriculture
Has no one thought of Michael Pollan for this post, or for an advisory position anent the food/land use question? Just asking...
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DeuceDarts Posted 6:34 am
05 Nov 2008
Tamminen for EPA
Terry Tamminen as former chief of California EPA and Shwarzenegger's chief of staff has shown himself capable of running an agency. His expertise goes beyond climate change to water issues. He has good connections with both parties that would aid in building sustainable bi-partisan coalitions to tackle the tremendous environmental challenges we face.
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JEFFMT04 Posted 7:18 am
07 Nov 2008
Environmental Positions
Look for someone from one of Chicago's top enviro law firms. My money is on Karaganis, White & Magel.
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LAGreenAttorney Posted 4:31 pm
10 Nov 2008
CAN SOMEONE PLEASE MAKE MARY NICHOLS GO AWAY??!!
Why, Why, WHY do people still think Mary Nichols is qualified to make any significant decisions with respect to the environment in this day and age?
She's a very nice lady, but the WRONG, WRONG, WRONG person for any top job in an Obama administration. We'll get the same crap we got under the Clinton administration, the (California) Davis administration, and the Governator administration. We can't afford the same old, same old. Not now. Never more.
All of you real, true, Californian environmentalists -- please stand up -- Save our newly blossoming chance for real GREEN change and make your voices heard -- NO to milktoast, industry-friendly, compromiser Mary Nichols.
There are many better, bolder, wiser choices on the list.
Signed,
Long-time SoCal environmental attorney who will not reveal their name for fear of Ms. Nichol's retribution.
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