Pick of Tillerson for State Puts Climate Diplomacy in Exxon CEO's Hands

"With Rex Tillerson as Donald Trump's reported choice to head the State Department, Exxon's history with Russia, as well as climate denial, become national issues."

"Donald Trump's impending nomination of Rex Tillerson as secretary of state would put the chief executive of ExxonMobil in charge of United States climate diplomacy. That's despite his leadership of one of the world's biggest greenhouse gas polluters, a global corporation that has staved off urgent action against the climate crisis for decades.

News of Tillerson's likely selection provoked despair and defiance among climate campaigners and their allies in Congress. Meanwhile Trump himself, on a day when he said incorrectly on Fox News that "nobody knows" if global warming is real, coyly praised Tillerson on Twitter but attached a big "if" to the rumored nomination.

Opposition senators said this may be their biggest chance, although it's still  a long shot, to defeat a Trump nominee. Sen. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), a member of the Foreign Relations Committee and past co-sponsor of climate legislation, said, "We cannot allow oil to replace diplomacy as the currency of the State Department.""

John H. Cushman Jr. and Marianne Lavelle report for InsideClimate News December 12, 2016.

SEE ALSO:

"Exxon CEO Rex Tillerson Faces Senate Dissent as Potential State Pick" (Wall Street Journal)

"Rex Tillerson, Exxon C.E.O., Chosen as Secretary of State" (New York Times)

"Trump's State Pick Could Trigger Senate Showdown" (The Hill)

"Donald Trump picks Rex Tillerson to lead State Department" (AP)

"Donald Trump Chooses Exxon Mobil Chief Rex Tillerson as Secretary of State" (Wall Street Journal)

"Exxon CEO Seen As The Best Of Many Evils For Paris Deal" (ClimateWire)

"Tillerson's Art Of The Oil Deal Primed For State" (EnergyWire)