Kenneth Wagner (Oklahoma cabinet secretary)
Kenneth Wagner | |
|---|---|
| Oklahoma Secretary of Energy and Environment | |
| In office January 14, 2019 – August 14, 2022 | |
| Governor | Kevin Stitt |
| Preceded by | Michael J. Teague |
| Succeeded by | Ken McQueen |
Kenneth Wagner is an American attorney who served as the Oklahoma Secretary of Energy and Environment between 2019 and 2022.
Early life, education, and legal career
[edit]Wagner attended the University of Oklahoma and graduated from the University of Tulsa College of Law in 1993.[1][2]
Friendship with Scott Pruitt
[edit]Wagner co-owned a company with Scott Pruitt that purchased a former lobbyist's home near the Oklahoma Capitol in Oklahoma City in December 2002, while Pruitt was a state senator. Pruitt later worked for Wagner's law firm Latham, Wagner Steele & Lehman. During Pruitt's tenure as Oklahoma Attorney General, Wagner's firm received over $600,000 in state contracts.[3]
In March 2017, Scott Pruitt appointed Wagner as a senior adviser for regional and state affairs at the United States Environmental Protection Agency.[2]
Oklahoma Secretary of Energy and Environment
[edit]In November 2018, Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt announced he would appoint Wagner as the Oklahoma Secretary of Energy and Environment.[4] He was officially appointed Oklahoma Secretary of Energy and Environment to replace Michael J. Teague on January 14, 2019, pending the confirmation of the Oklahoma Senate.[5] On July 22, 2019, Governor Kevin Stitt appointed him to the Southern States Energy Board, also to replace Teague.[6] He was succeed as Secretary by Ken McQueen on August 15, 2022, and on the energy board on August 17.[7][8]
As Secretary, Wagner opposed granting tribal governments in Oklahoma the authority to implement their own environmental regulations.[9] He also supported hydrogen energy, natural gas, and renewable energy development in Oklahoma.[10] He praised the United States Supreme Court's decision in West Virginia v. EPA.[11]
In April 2022, Wagner was appointed the first executive director of the Hamm Institute for American Energy, a part of the Oklahoma State University named after Harold Hamm.[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Bishop, Jordan (26 April 2022). "Oklahoma State University announces inaugural Hamm Institute for American Energy executive director - Oklahoma State University". Oklahoma State University. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
- ^ a b Bogardus, Kevin; Soraghan, Mike (13 April 2017). "Pruitt's friend joins agency as senior adviser". E&E News. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
- ^ Eder, Steve; Tabuchi, Hiroko (21 April 2018). "Scott Pruitt Before the E.P.A.: Fancy Homes, a Shell Company and Friends With Money". The New York Times. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
- ^ Wertz, Joe. "Governor-elect Stitt picks Pruitt ally for top state energy and environment post". State Impact Oklahoma. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
- ^ Stitt, Kevin (January 14, 2019). "Order of Appointment" (PDF). sos.ok.gov. Oklahoma Secretary of State. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
- ^ Stitt, Kevin (July 22, 2019). "Order of Appointment" (PDF). sos.ok.gov. Oklahoma Secretary of State. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
- ^ Stitt, Kevin (August 15, 2022). "Order of Appointment" (PDF). sos.ok.gov. Oklahoma Secretary of State. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
- ^ Stitt, Kevin (August 17, 2022). "Order of Appointment" (PDF). sos.ok.gov. Oklahoma Secretary of State. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
- ^ Money, Jack (September 16, 2020). "Ponca ambassador calls for tribes to unite and oppose Oklahoma's environmental oversight request". The Oklahoman. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
- ^ Klump, Edward (6 May 2021). "Will Okla. disrupt Biden's 100% clean energy goal?". E&E News. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
- ^ Felder, Ben (July 1, 2022). "Oklahoma's energy secretary supports Supreme Court ruling limiting EPA power". The Oklahoman. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
- ^ As Chief Transportation Advisor