Perry tapped to lead agency he once vowed to close

President-elect Donald Trump plans to nominate former Texas Gov. Rick Perry to head the Energy Department—a federal agency he once pledged to eliminate.

During Perry’s failed bid to win the Republican presidential nomination in 2012, Perry promised during a debate to shutter three federal departments. While naming the other two—education and commerce—he got stuck on the third, which turned out to be the department he’s now been tapped to lead.

Trump’s transition team has not made Perry’s nomination official, but said they’re “big fans” of the former Texas governor.

During his short-lived 2016 presidential bid, Perry touted his experience guiding Texas through tough times to become the nation’s leading job-creator. During his 14-year tenure—the longest of any Texas governor—the state created almost one-third of all new American jobs. Perry attributed that success to controlling taxes and spending, implementing smart regulations, investing in an educated workforce, and putting an end to frivolous lawsuits.

He also championed increased oil production, which makes up a significant portion of the state’s economy. Texas is a world leader in oil and gas production, but also has invested in wind power and renewable energy, a combination supporters say makes him a good pick to lead the nation’s Energy Department.

“This approach is a big reason why Texas experienced such enormous job growth during Perry’s tenure. As Texas has shown, it is indeed possible to successfully balance appropriate environmental regulations with domestic energy production and use,” said Salo Zelermyer, a former Energy Department official under President George W. Bush.

Critics called Perry a laughable choice to lead a department he doesn’t think the government needs.

“Putting Perry in charge of the Department of Energy is the perfect way to ensure the agency fails at everything it is charged to do,” said Sierra Club executive director Michael Brune.

After leaving office in 2015, Perry joined the board of Texas-based Energy Transfer Partners, furthering his ties to the fossil-fuel industry. The company is trying to build a pipeline through North Dakota opposed by Native Americans and environmentalists. After weeks of protests, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers temporarily halted the project to allow time for a more extensive environmental review.

Although his experience with energy production will be helpful, Perry’s military background also is likely to play a role in his new job. The Energy Department is tasked with managing the U.S. nuclear warhead stockpile and cleaning up nuclear waste sites created by military weapons programs.

Perry, one of the long list of Republican hopefuls Trump trounced on his way to winning the party’s nomination earlier this year, dished harsh criticism of his former rival, calling him a “cancer to conservatism.” But like others, Perry eventually came around, pledging to vote for and support Trump in his campaign against Democrat Hillary Clinton.