Kenneth Wagner (Oklahoma cabinet secretary) explained

Governor:Kevin Stitt
Term Start:January 14, 2019
Term End:August 14, 2022
Predecessor:Michael J. Teague
Successor: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

Wagner attended the University of Oklahoma and graduated from the University of Tulsa College of Law in 1993.

Friendship with Scott Pruitt

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.[1]

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

In November 2018, Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt announced he would appoint Wagner as the Oklahoma Secretary of Energy and Environment.[3] 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.[4] On July 22, 2019, Governor Kevin Stitt appointed him to the Southern States Energy Board, also to replace Teague.[5] He was succeed as Secretary by Ken McQueen on August 15, 2022, and on the energy board on August 17.[6] [7]

As Secretary, Wagner opposed granting tribal governments in Oklahoma the authority to implement their own environmental regulations.[8] He also supported hydrogen energy, natural gas, and renewable energy development in Oklahoma.[9] He praised the United States Supreme Court's decision in West Virginia v. EPA.[10]

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.[11]

Notes and References

  1. News: Eder . Steve . Tabuchi . Hiroko . Scott Pruitt Before the E.P.A.: Fancy Homes, a Shell Company and Friends With Money . 15 May 2024 . . 21 April 2018.
  2. News: Bogardus . Kevin . Soraghan . Mike . Pruitt's friend joins agency as senior adviser . 15 May 2024 . . 13 April 2017.
  3. News: Wertz . Joe . Governor-elect Stitt picks Pruitt ally for top state energy and environment post . 15 May 2024 . State Impact Oklahoma . en.
  4. Web site: Kevin Stitt . Stitt . Kevin . Order of Appointment . sos.ok.gov . . 15 May 2024 . January 14, 2019.
  5. Web site: Kevin Stitt . Stitt . Kevin . Order of Appointment . sos.ok.gov . . 15 May 2024 . July 22, 2019.
  6. Web site: Kevin Stitt . Stitt . Kevin . Order of Appointment . sos.ok.gov . . 15 May 2024 . August 15, 2022.
  7. Web site: Kevin Stitt . Stitt . Kevin . Order of Appointment . sos.ok.gov . . 15 May 2024 . August 17, 2022.
  8. News: Money . Jack . Ponca ambassador calls for tribes to unite and oppose Oklahoma's environmental oversight request . 15 May 2024 . . September 16, 2020.
  9. News: Klump . Edward . Will Okla. disrupt Biden's 100% clean energy goal? . 15 May 2024 . . 6 May 2021.
  10. News: Felder . Ben . Oklahoma's energy secretary supports Supreme Court ruling limiting EPA power . 15 May 2024 . . July 1, 2022.
  11. News: Bishop . Jordan . Oklahoma State University announces inaugural Hamm Institute for American Energy executive director - Oklahoma State University . 15 May 2024 . . 26 April 2022 . en.