Perry Cabinet

Our longtime former governor is just about in Donald Trump’s cabinet, as the secretary of energy, a department…. that he famously wanted to eliminate back in 2011…. that he forgot the name of….

Welp, that’s politics for you, but as odd as the appointment sounds, he actually has an extensive resume in dealing with energy matters both during and after his tenure as Texas governor, among others drastically increasing wind energy in Texas, and trying to construct 8 new coal plants. The media coverage is primarily concerned with political relations with praise and condemnation by various groups, as well as tracing the history of relations between Trump and Perry that would seemingly put them at odds with each other.

While Perry has overseen the diversification of Texas energy, it’s interesting to note he’s by no means a tree-hugging, earths-saving, environmental conservationist. So what’s the deal? Why didn’t he give a full pass to fracking and coal? Well, he did try with coal but was countered by opposing action of the people, but considering his position as the governor of Texas, he does have certain state interests to maintain, that alternative sources of energy fulfill, and of course, the several economic interests involved both for his and the state’s finances. Sometimes business provides a better incentive than scientists telling you your grandchildren’s potential fate, but if it works, it works. It’s useful to note conservative reasoning for passing energy legislature characteristic of liberal policy as a matter of economic benefits for the state as well as those involved. This business-centered approach to energy has as much potential to change things for the better as it does for the worse, in a relatively shorter amount of time, and President Elect Trump has chosen a specialist.