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Brooke Rollins

Brooke L. Rollins

Credentials

Background

Brooke L. (Leslie) Rollins is the former President and CEO of the Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF), a conservative think tank that has pushed against climate policy in Texas. In 2018, she was named the director of Office of American Innovation as an assistant to President Donald Trump for Strategic Initiatives.3“BROOKE L. ROLLINS, PRESIDENT AND CEO,” Texas Public Policy Foundation. Archived January 5, 2017. Archive.fo URL: https://archive.fo/3tLXb 4Patrick Svitek. “Texas Public Policy Foundation head Brooke Rollins to join White House,” The Texas Tribune, February 16, 2018. Archived October 22, 2018. Archive.fo URL: https://archive.fo/iwV4A

Before working at TPPF, Rollins was Governor Rick Perry’s Deputy General Counsel, and later his Policy Director. Her husband, Mark Rollins, is an executive in the energy industry. According to Bloomberg, a “Mark Rollins” is the Managing Director of Hillwood Development Company and Vice President of Business Development at Hillwood International Energy, L.P.5“BROOKE L. ROLLINS, PRESIDENT AND CEO,” Texas Public Policy Foundation. Archived January 5, 2017. Archive.fo URL: https://archive.fo/3tLXb 6“Executive Profile: Mark Rollins,” Bloomberg. Archived October 22, 2018. Archive.fo URL: https://archive.fo/aIR5Q

Following her graduation from the University of Texas School of Law, Rollins spent several years as a litigator for Hughes & Luce, L.L.P. She completed her federal judicial clerkship with the Honorable Barbara M.G. Lynn.7“BROOKE L. ROLLINS, PRESIDENT AND CEO,” Texas Public Policy Foundation. Archived January 5, 2017. Archive.fo URL: https://archive.fo/3tLXb

Rollins was also on President Trump’s economic advisory council. Two other members of Trump’s “economic advisory team” included Kathleen Hartnett-White and Stephen Moore, both also affiliated with TPPF. Hartnett-White was also in the running for a top EPA position.8Patrick Svitek. “As Trump Struggles, Texas Republicans Stand by Him,” The Texas Tribune, August 19, 2016. Archived December 22, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/Q24Z

As of May 2020, Trump was reportedly naming Rollins as acting domestic policy adviser, according to senior administration officials. “Rollins will lead one of the least visible but most crucial bodies during Mr. Trump’s time in office,” The New York Times reported.9Maggie Haberman. “Trump to Name Brooke Rollins as Domestic Policy Adviser,” The New York Times, May 14, 2020. Archived May 29, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.vn/4lLgR

Stance on Climate Change

November 20, 2015

In her closing remarks for the TPPF’s “At the Crossroads” summit, Rollins declared they had assembled some of “the greatest minds in the world” to discuss climate and energy issues.10“At the Crossroads, Closing Lunch Keynote U.S. Senator & Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn,” YouTube video uploaded by user “Texas Public Policy Foundation,” November 24, 2015. Archived .mp4 on file at DeSmog.

“Please know that while it seems as if we may be preaching a little bit to our choir, that we are also changing the world and the way a lot of people think about this issue, which is why we’re doing this.

“Everything you’ve heard over the last 24 hours about the indispensability of a free market in energy, and a resistance to the alarmism and hysteria of the climate change cult, is absolutely correct,” Rollins declared (emphasis added).

October 2014,

“There’s been no warming in over 17 years. So all of this discussion about shutting down certain parts of our energy industry is nothing short of a disaster for the economy,” Rollins said in an interview during a TPPF “At the Crossroads” energy conference.11“Mini-Documentary: Energy Policy and Poverty,” YouTube video uploaded by user “Texas Public Policy Foundation,” October 14, 2014. Archived .mp4 on file at DeSmog.

Key Quotes

August 7, 2018

Speaking at the Heartland Institute‘s “America First Energy Conference” (AFEC 2018) in New Orleans, Louisiana, Rollins celebrated the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement and similar efforts to reduce CO2:12“Talk of unicorns and ‘eco‑terrorists’ at alternative forum,” E&E News, August 8, 2018. Archived October 22, 2018. Archive.fo URL: https://archive.fo/q0JHA

“What an amazing story to tell, without being a part of Paris climate agreements and Kyoto [Protocol] this and that, that we can in fact really help people and change lives and clean our air better than almost anyone else in the world is really one of the great untold stories I think of our generation, and thanks to so many of you in this audience who have really made that possible.”

December 2017

Following the election of President Donald Trump, Rollins declared they were “winning” on issues including climate change:13“Texas-Bred Anti-Environmentalists Find New Power in Trump Administration,” Texas Observer, December 7, 2017. Archived October 22, 2018. Archive.fo URL: https://archive.fo/BKqqJ

“We are winning, and a couple of years ago, it didn’t seem possible,” she said. “Most people thought it was going to be a really sad and dark and unfortunate time for the country, especially on [climate change]. There is great hope.”

July 2, 2013

Rollins appeared on the Stossel show to discuss leaked tax documents that had included information about TPPF donors. Rollins confirmed that the Koch brothers (Charles and David Koch) were among those on her group’s donor list.14“Brooke Rollins discusses the IRS disclosing TPPF donors on Stossel,” YouTube video uploaded by user “Texas Public Policy Foundation,” July 2, 2013. Archived .mp4 on file at DeSmog.

“Your donors know that, gee, if my name is publicized maybe I’ll be harassed the way the Koch brothers are,” Stossel commented.

Rollins responded: “That’s exactly right, and not surprisingly the Koch brothers were on our list as well as many other great Americans and entrepreneurs.” She added: “When Big Brother gets so big that they have to know everything about you to be able to give you everything you want, that begins the ruin of our country.”15“Brooke Rollins discusses the IRS disclosing TPPF donors on Stossel,” YouTube video uploaded by user “Texas Public Policy Foundation,” July 2, 2013. Archived .mp4 on file at DeSmog.

Key Deeds

June 6, 2019

Rollins endorsed an idea proposed by National Security Council official Will Happer to present an official refutation of the 2018 National Climate Assessment, possibly going so far as to force scientists from NASA and NOAA to participate.16Scott Waldman. “White House might make federal scientists debate skeptics,” E&E News, June 6, 2019. Archived June 19, 2019. Archive.is URL: http://archive.is/lZ3ff. Archived.pdf on file at DeSmog.

Earlier efforts to conduct a “red team, blue team” debate between climate change skeptics and scientists who hold to the fact-based consensus viewpoint were also floated by former EPA administrator Scott Pruitt.17Scott Waldman. “White House might make federal scientists debate skeptics,” E&E News, June 6, 2019. Archived June 19, 2019. Archive.is URL: http://archive.is/lZ3ff. Archived.pdf on file at DeSmog.

Though there was pushback from some administration officials, efforts remained underway to create, at minimum, a series of white papers laying out the administration’s rejection of key elements of the NCA.18Scott Waldman. “White House might make federal scientists debate skeptics,” E&E News, June 6, 2019. Archived June 19, 2019. Archive.is URL: http://archive.is/lZ3ff. Archived.pdf on file at DeSmog.

E&E reported:

“The scaled-back goal of the current plan is to provide a back-and-forth examination of climate science in which researchers who question mainstream conclusions about warming would perform equivalently with scientists representing the vast majority of experts who accept that human activity is raising temperatures. The exercise could produce a series of white papers from both sides, essentially establishing a formal record of climate contrarianism.

“The papers could act as a ‘correction’ or addendum to the National Climate Assessment released last year, according to one source.

“The National Climate Assessment has been peer-reviewed and is based on the work of hundreds of studies.”19Scott Waldman. “White House might make federal scientists debate skeptics,” E&E News, June 6, 2019. Archived June 19, 2019. Archive.is URL: http://archive.is/lZ3ff. Archived.pdf on file at DeSmog.

Those involved in talks about the initiative included John Christy and Judith Curry. Also, Paul Robinson—who E&E notes “oversaw talks about nuclear weapons tests with the Soviet Union during the Cold War but who is not trained in climate science”—would possibly lead the initiative.20Scott Waldman. “White House might make federal scientists debate skeptics,” E&E News, June 6, 2019. Archived June 19, 2019. Archive.is URL: http://archive.is/lZ3ff. Archived.pdf on file at DeSmog.

September 6, 2018

Rollins discussed carbon taxes in a YouTube video clip with Chip Roy. “The problem with renewables, the solar and the wind, is that it requires so much taxpayer subsidy,” Rollins claimed.21“Life: Powered – Brooke Rollins & Chip Roy on Carbon Tax,” Texas Public Policy Foundation, September 6, 2018. Archived October 22, 2018. Archive.fo URL: https://archive.fo/HJqTD

“[S]upporters of a carbon tax are wrong. Carbon isn’t a commodity. And it’s not a form of injustice. It’s a building-block of life. Without it, plants, animals, and humans alike would not exist. Moreover, carbon-based fossil fuels have supported unmatched economic prosperity since the Industrial Revolution,” the video description reads.22“Life: Powered – Brooke Rollins & Chip Roy on Carbon Tax,” Texas Public Policy Foundation, September 6, 2018. Archived October 22, 2018. Archive.fo URL: https://archive.fo/HJqTD

August 7, 2018

Rollins spoke at the Heartland Institute‘s “America First Energy Conference” (AFEC 2018) in New Orleans, Louisiana.23“Speakers,” America First Energy Conference 2018. Archived August 1, 2018. Archive.fo URL: https://archive.fo/mwtga

“The purpose of this event is to promote and expand energy freedom in the United States, as outlined in President Donald Trump’s bold America First Energy Plan, a proposal first released during the 2016 presidential campaign. The president’s plan marks a decisive change in direction from the Obama administration’s ‘war on fossil fuels’ and focus on the theory of catastrophic man-caused climate change,” the conference description reads.24“About,” America First Energy Conference 2018. Archived July 23, 2018. Archive.is URL: https://archive.fo/E4Gnt

Rollins provided a luncheon keynote presentation:

In the Q&A session, Tom Harris of the International Climate Science Coalition (ICSC) asked Rollins about potential ways to inject books like Kathleen Hartnett White’s Fueling Freedom—which celebrates fossil fuel use—into the public school system.25“About,” America First Energy Conference 2018. Archived July 23, 2018. Archive.is URL: https://archive.fo/E4Gnt

“How can you get books like hers into the school system?” Harris asked.26“About,” America First Energy Conference 2018. Archived July 23, 2018. Archive.is URL: https://archive.fo/E4Gnt

“I think that’s a great question, and one that a lot smarter people than I have been thinking about for a long time, but I think that’s exactly right. … It is a very difficult mountain to climb when the entire public education system is against those sorts of teachings, which we know to be right.

“And, however, what I do think — which I originally talked about, which is opening up the markets a little bit and giving kids a choice — that all of a sudden you see the market begin to work in that area and, you know, a lot of parents don’t love what their kids are being taught in some of these schools in terms of the economy and American history and the American founding, and what they’re teaching on governments and the environment, and so giving those parents the opportunity to find a place that maybe better aligns with what they believe to be true is really important. […]”27“About,” America First Energy Conference 2018. Archived July 23, 2018. Archive.is URL: https://archive.fo/E4Gnt

The Heartland Institute’s Huelskamp suggested that content from the Heartland Institute should be injected into weekly readers that get sent home with schoolkids. “Their minds are being filled with mush,” Huelskamp said.28“About,” America First Energy Conference 2018. Archived July 23, 2018. Archive.is URL: https://archive.fo/E4Gnt

November 30, 2017

Rollins was a moderator and speaker at the “At the Crossroads IV Energy & Climate Policy Summit,” co-hosted by The Heritage Foundation and TPPF. Rollins also appeared on stage with then-EPA-Administrator Scott Pruitt, who was invited to the conference.29“At the Crossroads IV: Energy & Climate Policy Summit,” The Heritage Foundation, November 30, 2017. Archived .mp4 on file at DeSmog. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/jmAfj

Pruitt discussed how he believed that the new administration needs to “embrace a stewardship mentality” by making use of more natural resources, while “navigating the pathway to undoing these [Obama administration] regulations.” Pruitt highlighted recent accomplishments like undoing the Waters of the United States Rule, saying “what we’re doing is undoing those rules that were deficient.”30“At the Crossroads IV: Energy & Climate Policy Summit,” The Heritage Foundation, November 30, 2017. Archived .mp4 on file at DeSmog. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/jmAfj

“We as country need to ask ourselves, and we need to answer: what is true environmentalist? Is it truly prohibition? Is it to say that though we’ve been blessed with certain natural resources we shouldn’t use them? Or should we use those natural resources to feed and power the world and do so with environmental stewardship in mind? And it’s a very important question,” Pruitt said. “

[…] We need to embrace a stewardship mentality. And, to whom much is given, much is required. And use those natural resources we’ve been blessed with to bless others, both domestically and internationally. And we’ve got to have that dialogue.”31“At the Crossroads IV: Energy & Climate Policy Summit,” The Heritage Foundation, November 30, 2017. Archived .mp4 on file at DeSmog. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/jmAfj

Brooke responded, “I love that,” moving to a question on Pruitt’s experience given he was “a complete Washington Outsider.” Pruitt said he is “so thankful to be serving the President, as I indicated earlier, because of his courage.”32“At the Crossroads IV: Energy & Climate Policy Summit,” The Heritage Foundation, November 30, 2017. Archived .mp4 on file at DeSmog. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/jmAfj

“He’s made very, very courageous decisions,” Pruitt said. “He’s willing to take on the culture here in Washington and across the country. As an example, that is the Paris Accord agreement, to exit that. There was tremendous pressure brought on the President to stay in that, by the way, for no good environmental reason. It was a bumper sticker. Paris was a bumper sticker. It was not about CO2 reduction. It was about penalizing our own economy. And I could give you some information about that if you’d like, but the President made a very courageous decision to exit.”33“At the Crossroads IV: Energy & Climate Policy Summit,” The Heritage Foundation, November 30, 2017. Archived .mp4 on file at DeSmog. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/jmAfj

June 1, 2017

Rollins co-wrote an article at The Hill titled “Trump should kill the failing Paris agreement” with fellow TPPF staffer Chip Roy. In the article, Rollins and Roy claim, among other things, that the Paris climate treaty is “anti-American” and that that it is “designed to fail.”34Brooke Rollins and Chip Roy. “Trump should kill the failing Paris agreement,” The Hill, June 1, 2017. Archived October 22, 2018. Archive.fo URL: https://archive.fo/IfAC3

“Adherence to the Paris climate agreement would stall or preclude unleashing American energy, a prodigious stimulant for economic growth,” Rollins and Roy wrote.

They also argue that the climate treaty could “confound the global War on Terror” because it would reduce anti-terrorism funding.35Brooke Rollins and Chip Roy. “Trump should kill the failing Paris agreement,” The Hill, June 1, 2017. Archived October 22, 2018. Archive.fo URL: https://archive.fo/IfAC3

“In his recent Saudi Arabia speech, Trump rightly declared that, when it comes to the survival of the free world, defeating Islamist terrorism is ‘history’s greatest test.’ Our potential success on that test is threatened by the staggering financial cost of supplanting fossil fuels that now account for approximately 90 percent of the world’s energy consumption.”36Brooke Rollins and Chip Roy. “Trump should kill the failing Paris agreement,” The Hill, June 1, 2017. Archived October 22, 2018. Archive.fo URL: https://archive.fo/IfAC3

December 8, 2016

Rollins was a speaker at the “At the Crossroads III Energy and Climate Summit,” an event co-hosted by the Heritage Foundation and the Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF). The event was billed as “the premier energy-and-climate policy event in America,” and attracted a range of prominent climate change deniers as well as a range of names connected to Donald Trump and his transition team.37“At the Crossroads III: Energy and Climate Policy Summit,” Heritage Foundation, December 8, 2016. Archived December 22, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/AKaKq

Doug Domenech, director of the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s “Fueling Freedom” project, wrote about the proceedings at The Hill. Domenech outlined the common climate change denial message shared among the speakers: “Is climate change real? Yes, it has happened in the past and will happen in the future. Is man making an impact on the climate? Perhaps but in very small ways. But the overarching consensus remains the climate change we are experiencing is by no means catastrophic.”38Doug Domenech. “Climate change: Speaking truth to power,” The Hill, December 13, 2016. Archived December 21, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/zAEH5

May 8, 2016

Brooke Rollins was a signatory to a full page color advertisement in The New York Times titled “Abuse of Power” (PDF) sponsored by The Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI). The ad serves as an open letter from 43 signatories including organizations and individuals in response to New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, U.S. Virgin Islands Attorney General Claude Walker, and the coalition of Attorneys General investigating groups denying man-made climate change.39“CEI Runs ‘Abuse of Power’ Ad In New York Times,” Competitive Enterprise Institute, May 18, 2016. Archived May 31, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/DF7gW 40“Abuse of Power: All Americans have the right to support causes they believe in” (PDF), Competitive Enterprise Institute. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.

“Attempts to intimidate CEI and our allies and silence our policy research are unconstitutional,” said CEI president Kent Lassman. “The First Amendment protects us and everyone has a duty to respect it – even state attorneys general. CEI will continue to fight for all Americans to support the causes in which they believe.”41“CEI Runs ‘Abuse of Power’ Ad In New York Times,” Competitive Enterprise Institute, May 18, 2016. Archived May 31, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/DF7gW

November 19, 2015

Rollins introduced the TPPF’s 2015 “At the Crossroads” conference. In introducing video remarks by Senator Ted Cruz, Rollins described him as a “very special friend” of the TPPF. Among those speaking at the conference was coal industry baron Robert Murray. In the past, Murray has described climate change as an “alleged phenomenon” based on “faulty science” and said that “the science is uncertain.”42“At the Crossroads, Opening Luncheon Keynote with Attorney General Ken Paxton & Robert E Murray,” YouTube video uploaded by user “Texas Public Policy Foundation,” November 23, 2015. Archived .mp4 on file at DeSmog. 43Robert E. Murray. “The Human Consequences of Climate Change Alarmism, and the Actions and Statements of the Majority Party and Some Republicans in the United States House of Representatives and Senate” (PDF), June 28, 2008.Retrieved from EPW.senate.gov.

May 27, 2015

Rollins appeared on Bill Bennett’s Morning in America show to discuss “EPA over regulation, the Clean Power Plan and climate change alarmism.” Audio no longer appears available online.44“Brooke Rollins talks EPA overreach on Bill Bennett,” Texas Public Policy Foundation, May 27, 2015. Archived October 22, 2018. Archive.fo URL: https://archive.fo/XY9KB

Affiliations

Social Media

Publications

According to her archived profile at TPPF, “Media appearances for Rollins have extended from local Texas newspapers to major international publications, in keeping with her imperative to the Foundation to be Texas-focused and nationally relevant. Her most recent major hits include a segment debating Texas versus California on Fox News’ ‘The O’Reilly Factor’ and ‘Hannity;’ Fox Business Network’s ‘Stossel;’ several guest spots discussing matters from energy policy to education reform to Aggie football on Bill Bennett’s nationally-syndicated radio show ‘Morning in America;’ and even a stint as guest-host of Salem radio’s ‘Mike Gallagher Show.’”50“BROOKE L. ROLLINS, PRESIDENT AND CEO,” Texas Public Policy Foundation. Archived January 5, 2017. Archive.fo URL: https://archive.fo/3tLXb

Other Resources

Resources

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