Oilman who loves puppy mills, hates SPCA could be Interior pick

Environmentalists already bracing for hard times in the wake of the election of Donald Trump won't be cheered by the names being floated for secretary of the Interior in the president-elect's cabinet.

The leading contender, according to Politico, is Indiana oilman Forrest Lucas. Also mentioned as candidates are former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer; Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin; Wyoming Rep. Cynthia Lummis; and Oklahoma oilman Harold Hamm.

A sleeper candidate is the president-elect's son, Donald Trump Jr., who is a big fan of trophy hunting, which he seems to think makes him qualified for the job.

Palin made the pro-oil exploration slogan "Drill baby, drill" a catchphrase of the 2008 election when she ran for vice president on the Republican ticket with Sen. John McCain.

To environmentalists, entrusting an oil executive or other Big Oil-friendly candidate with the stewardship of the nation's natural resources is akin to putting the fox in charge of the hen house.

As Khalid Pitts, the Sierra Club's national political director, told Politco in September:

Forrest Lucas, an Indiana oilman and founder of Lucas Oil Products, is reportedly under consideration for secretary of the Interior in Donald Trump's Cabinet. Forrest Lucas, an Indiana oilman and founder of Lucas Oil Products, is reportedly under consideration for secretary of the Interior in Donald Trump's Cabinet. Photo: Robin Marchant, Getty Images Photo: Robin Marchant, Getty Images Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Oilman who loves puppy mills, hates SPCA could be Interior pick 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

"Putting an oil executive in charge of our public lands and precious coasts in places like North Carolina, Virginia and Florida is a virtual guarantee that Trump's promise to throw open season on drilling in our special places will come true if he's elected."

Lucas, the 74-year-old founder of California-based Lucas Oil Products, may be more disliked by animal-rights activists that he is by environmentalists. According to Politico, he is one of the biggest donors to groups that attack the Humane Society, the Society for Prevention of Cruelty of Animals and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

He has defended puppy mills, circuses, animal agriculture and trophy hunting. A nonprofit that he founded and bankrolled produced the feature film "The Dog Lover," which portrays dog breeders and puppy mills as victims of animal-rights agencies "who aren't REALLY interested in animal welfare."

A review of the movie on Roger Ebert's website called it "shamelessly manipulative" and "a pretty bald piece of anti-SPCA and/or PETA propaganda."

Many of the promises made by Trump during the campaign may never be kept, but his vow to gut regulations on oil and gas exploration to boost fossil fuels development appears to be doable.

In an interview with Fox News Sunday last year, Trump revealed his feelings about protecting the nation's natural resources.

"Environmental protection, what they do is a disgrace; every week they come out with new regulations," Trump told host Chris Wallace.

"Who's going to protect the environment?" Wallace asked.

"We'll be fine with the environment," Trump replied. "We can leave a little bit, but you can't destroy businesses."

Americans will have to decide if they're OK with being left with a "little bit" of the nation's natural treasures.