Top Trump Environment Pick, a Fossil Fuels Evangelist, May Be in Trouble

"Kathleen Hartnett White’s past actions in Texas involving radiation in drinking water and opposition to ethanol could turn Republicans against her."

"Kathleen Hartnett White, the former Texas regulator who has extolled the social benefits of carbon dioxide and asserted that coal helped end slavery, faces a difficult road to Senate confirmation as top White House environmental adviser, according to lobbyists and Capitol Hill sources.

They say that White, still awaiting a committee vote that has yet to be scheduled, is the most endangered of President Donald Trump's environmental nominees. Her embattled bid to chair the Council on Environmental Quality underscores larger problems for the White House in filling key roles throughout the federal government.

Although Trump already lags behind his three immediate predecessors both in making nominations and having them confirmed, he assured himself further fights by doubling down on 75 controversial nominees that the Senate returned to the White House for reconsideration before the December recess."

Marianne Lavelle reports for InsideClimate News January 29, 2018.