Wikipedia

Kenneth Wagner (Oklahoma cabinet secretary)

Kenneth Wagner is an American attorney who served as the Oklahoma Secretary of Energy and Environment between 2019 and 2022.

Kenneth Wagner
Oklahoma Secretary of Energy and Environment
In office
January 14, 2019 – August 14, 2022
GovernorKevin Stitt
Preceded byMichael J. Teague
Succeeded byKen McQueen
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Wagner attended the University of Oklahoma and graduated from the University of Tulsa College of Law in 1993.[1][2]

Friendship with Scott Pruitt

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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

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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

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  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ a b Bogardus, Kevin; Soraghan, Mike (13 April 2017). "Pruitt's friend joins agency as senior adviser". E&E News. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ Wertz, Joe. "Governor-elect Stitt picks Pruitt ally for top state energy and environment post". State Impact Oklahoma. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
  5. ^ Stitt, Kevin (January 14, 2019). "Order of Appointment" (PDF). sos.ok.gov. Oklahoma Secretary of State. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
  6. ^ Stitt, Kevin (July 22, 2019). "Order of Appointment" (PDF). sos.ok.gov. Oklahoma Secretary of State. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
  7. ^ Stitt, Kevin (August 15, 2022). "Order of Appointment" (PDF). sos.ok.gov. Oklahoma Secretary of State. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
  8. ^ Stitt, Kevin (August 17, 2022). "Order of Appointment" (PDF). sos.ok.gov. Oklahoma Secretary of State. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
  9. ^ 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.
  10. ^ Klump, Edward (6 May 2021). "Will Okla. disrupt Biden's 100% clean energy goal?". E&E News. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
  11. ^ Felder, Ben (July 1, 2022). "Oklahoma's energy secretary supports Supreme Court ruling limiting EPA power". The Oklahoman. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
  1. ^ As Chief Transportation Advisor
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