BP defense lawyer named as Trump’s top DOJ environment attorney

If confirmed, Clark will lead litigation efforts for the federal government on all environmental issues and will be responsible for defending the EPA.

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Jeffrey Bossert Clark, a lawyer who was part of the legal team that represented BP in the lawsuits filed against them relating to the infamous Deepwater Horizon spill, has been nominated by President Trump to serve as the assistant attorney general for the Department of Justice’s Environment and Natural Resources Division.

Clark has a long history of challenging the scientific foundations of U.S. climate policy. He is currently a partner in the Washington D.C. office of Kirkland & Ellis and has repeatedly represented the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in lawsuits challenging the federal government’s authority to regulate carbon emissions.

After the Deepwater Horizon spill, Clark defended the company against “a multibillion-dollar appeal brought by 11 Louisiana parishes.” He then went on to become lead counsel on BP’s appeal of the damages awarded in the case.

Additionally, Clark has signed legal briefs that included thoroughly debunked denials of the scientific consensus of greenhouse gases. One of the briefs claims that the new regulations under the Clean Air Act, “generated what quite likely are the costliest regulations ever promulgated based on EPA’s belief that it can take a red pencil to plain statutory text.”

Clark has historically argued against administrative agencies, like the EPA, claiming that they “aren’t even acting like a junior varsity Congress. It’s more like they are a wayward football team. They are calling their own plays.”

If confirmed, Clark will lead litigation efforts for the federal government on all environmental issues and will be responsible for defending the EPA.

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Alexandra Jacobo is a dedicated progressive writer, activist, and mother with a deep-rooted passion for social justice and political engagement. Her journey into political activism began in 2011 at Zuccotti Park, where she supported the Occupy movement by distributing blankets to occupiers, marking the start of her earnest commitment to progressive causes. Driven by a desire to educate and inspire, Alexandra focuses her writing on a range of progressive issues, aiming to foster positive change both domestically and internationally. Her work is characterized by a strong commitment to community empowerment and a belief in the power of informed public action. As a mother, Alexandra brings a unique and personal perspective to her activism, understanding the importance of shaping a better world for future generations. Her writing not only highlights the challenges we face but also champions the potential for collective action to create a more equitable and sustainable world.

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