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About
Myron Ebell (born 1953) is an American climate change skeptic and prominent figure in conservative environmental policy advocacy. Raised on a cattle ranch in Baker County, Oregon, he developed early interests in learning and book reading, contrasting with his brother John's mechanical pursuits. He earned a B.A. cum laude from Colorado College in 1975, majoring in Philosophy, History, and Political Theory, followed by an M.Sc. from the London School of Economics in 1977 under political philosopher Michael Oakeshott, and pursued postgraduate work at the University of California, San Diego, and Peterhouse, Cambridge University. Ebell's career began in the late 1980s with roles such as assistant to the chairman at the National Taxpayers Union, Washington representative for the American Land Rights Association, and founder/coordinator of the Grassroots ESA Coalition. He joined the Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI), a libertarian group opposing environmental regulations, in 1999, serving as Director of Global Warming and International Environmental Policy, Director of Freedom Action, and Director of the Center for Energy and Environment (also described as Director of energy and environment) until his retirement in 2024. Ebell chaired the Cooler Heads Coalition since 1997, a group challenging global warming alarmism, and the American Lands Council, advocating against energy rationing and for free market environmentalism. Ebell rose to national prominence in conservative circles, testifying before Congress on cap-and-trade legislation in 2009 and leading efforts to defeat such policies and convince President Trump to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement. In September 2016, Donald Trump appointed him to head the EPA transition team, where he vetted personnel and pushed for deregulation. His work has drawn criticism for denying human-induced climate change and promoting libertarian policies. Known for adversarial stances toward environmentalists like Fred Krupp, Ebell has appeared on major media outlets and been recognized as a key player in conservative networks disputing mainstream environmental consensus. His work has positioned him as a management consultant and political adviser in libertarian circles, contributing to the defeat of major climate initiatives during the Trump administration. Financially, Ebell faced challenges, including a 1996 foreclosure on his Maryland home purchased in 1988 for $130,000 and a 2011 IRS tax lien of $114,780, resolved in 2013. He is associated with groups like the Heartland Institute and Federalist Society.