CHARLESTON, WV (WOWK) — President-Elect Donald Trump has announced more cabinet and administration appointments and two of them are viewed as good for the region.
Two things many in West Virginia are focused on are a shortage of broadband technology and an abundance of energy resources.
West Virginia has among the worst broadband coverage in the nation and that affects things such as telehealth. FCC member Brendan Carr, who has visited West Virginia to address the issues, has now been nominated to be chairman of the FCC.
The other appointee is Liberty Energy CEO Chris Wright, who has been nominated to be secretary of energy. Wright is considered a strong ally of coal, oil, natural gas, and fracking.
The two nominees are getting some high-level praise.
“Both of these appointments are very significant. Obviously, we’ve been waiting for rural broadband to get completed. We’ve had a great focus on that. But West Virginia could be a real contributor in an energy economy. These are jobs. These are technologies and research that go along with it,” said Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, (R) West Virginia.
Because Brendan Carr is already a member of the FCC, the president can elevate him to chairman without Senate approval. But the Senate will have to approve Chris Wright to be energy secretary. That is not expected to be a problem as the new Senate will now have 53 Republicans to 47 Democrats.
No timetable has been set for any of the cabinet nominations or high-level administration appointments. Most, but not all, require Senate approval.
