Billionaire oil and gas executive Harold G. Hamm, who helped finance Donald J. Trump's campaign and is looking to profit from his energy policies, announced on Inauguration Day that the fossil fuel industry We are hosting an exclusive celebration.
The midday party on the rooftop of the historic Hay-Adams Hotel, a block from the White House, will be a triumphant moment for Mr. Hamm, who has poured more than $4.3 million into political action committees supporting Mr. Trump.
Mr. Hamm, founder of Oklahoma-based Continental Resources, is influential in Mr. Trump's plan to water down environmental protections and allow energy companies unfettered access to federal lands and waters. . He also helped raise money from oil and gas industry players, who spent more than $75 million to elect Trump.
Among the guests invited to Mr. Ham's celebration is Doug Burgum, Mr. Trump's nominee for secretary of the Interior Department. Burgum's term as North Dakota's governor ended last month, and if confirmed, he would help determine the use of public lands and federal waters. He is also Trump's choice to chair the government-wide Energy Council. Two weeks after Mr. Trump won the November election, Mr. Burgum received an invitation to a celebration from Mr. Hamm's administrative assistant.
Mr. Burgum's adviser, Rob Lockwood, said in a statement that Mr. Burgum will not attend Mr. Hamm's party and will instead participate in the “formal inauguration process” on January 20.
Top sponsors for the Jan. 20 event listed in the invitation include the Domestic Producer Energy Alliance, a lobbying group founded by Hamm to aggressively fight climate change policies, and an adviser to Trump. This includes the conservative group “Unleash Energy,'' which includes many.
“Enjoy a wonderful experience to mark this momentous occasion with panoramic views of the White House and a vibrant, celebratory atmosphere,” said a typed note from Hamm to Burgum that accompanied the invitation. was written. “It will be a memorable gathering of friends, supporters and special guests, and we look forward to celebrating this important moment with you.”
The documents were obtained through a public records request by Fieldnotes, a research group focused on the oil and gas industry, and reviewed by The New York Times.
Campaign finance experts said the private event did not appear to violate ethics rules. Administrative officials and candidates may attend widely attended receptions as long as they accept only the same food and refreshments provided to other guests.
But many also noted that few non-major donors have the opportunity to speak privately with the people who will influence U.S. energy policy over the next four years.
“This is an expensive, invite-only event for people seeking access to the incoming Trump administration,” said Tyson Slocum, director of the energy program at the watchdog group Public Citizen.
Even if Trump's officials aren't present, “you're basically getting the president's ear,” Slocum said. “You have access to Harold Hamm, who is setting the priorities for America's oil and gas industry with Donald Trump's backing.”
Mr. Hamm and Continental Resources, the largest oil producer in North Dakota's Bakken field, did not respond to requests for comment.
Companies sharing the cost of Mr. Hamm's party include Liberty Energy, the gas service company founded by Mr. Trump's nominee for Secretary of Energy, Chris Wright. Mr. Wright plans to resign from the company once he is confirmed by the Senate.
Summit Agriculture Group, the parent company of Summit Carbon Solutions LLC, also sponsors the event. Ham is an investor in Summit Carbon Solutions, an Iowa-based company that collects carbon emissions from ethanol plants in five states, sends it by pipeline to North Dakota and buries it underground. The plan is to build a billion dollar project. Burgum strongly supported the project as governor, but it has faced opposition from landowners and local officials in several states.
Summit Agriculture Group is run by Bruce Rastetter, a longtime donor to Trump and the Republican Party. Other sponsors include Devon Energy, an Oklahoma oil company with a long history of fighting climate regulations. Summit Agriculture Group and Devon Energy did not respond to requests for comment for this article.
The American Petroleum Institute, the oil industry's main lobbying group, is also a sponsor.
“API regularly sponsors events with policymakers on both sides of the aisle and recognizes the importance of America's energy in revitalizing the economy and strengthening national security,” American Petroleum Institute spokeswoman Andrea Woods said in a statement. We are educating people about their important roles.”
During the 2024 campaign, Trump asked oil and gas executives to raise $1 billion for his bid for the White House. At a dinner in April at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, Mr. Trump told about 20 oil and gas company executives that they would have to pay that much after eliminating environmental regulations, according to people familiar with the matter. The company promised to save far more in taxes and legal costs than they expected. Those in attendance requested anonymity to discuss private events.
The fossil fuel industry rejoiced at Trump's victory. Trump has promised to quickly repeal President Biden's restrictions on pollution from car tailpipes, power plant smokestacks and oil and gas wells. He also pledged to increase U.S. liquefied natural gas exports, which are already at record levels, authorized drilling in the pristine Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, and provided at least $1 billion to the United States. It said it would exempt companies in which it invests from environmental regulations.
The United States currently produces more oil than any country in history and is the world's largest exporter of natural gas. Still, Thomas J. Pyle, chairman of the American Energy Alliance, which supports fossil fuel energy development, said the oil and gas industry is happy to see the Biden administration leave.
“They have been hostile to domestic oil and gas production from beginning to end, and President Trump has made it clear that he recognizes the critical role this industry plays,” Pyle said. .
