doi:10.7916/ws6t-zt52Oral history interview with Heather R. Zichal, 2021Zichal, Heatheroral historiesmixed materialPresidents--United StatesClimatic changes--United StatesEnvironmental policy--United StatesEnergy policy--United StatesBiomass energy--Government policy--United StatesHydraulic fracturing--Government policy--United StatesBP Deepwater Horizon Explosion and Oil SpillZichal, HeatherObama, BarackClean Power Plan (U.S.)Heather Zichal reflects on her time as deputy assistant to the president on energy and climate change. She details how she began working for New Jersey Congressman Rush Hold and her transition to working as a policy director for Obama during his campaign, organizing discussions on climate change and energy policy. Zichal expounds on the interconnectedness of energy policy and the economy in the context of the Great Recession, leading to debates on different kinds of energy including biofuels and fracking, as well as cooperation with industry. She talks about the Obama administration's commitment to international climate negotiation, the Clean Power Plan, and how the administration progressed with transmission challenges, natural gas as a transitional energy source, and the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. She emphasizes the importance of transparency and being mindful of the public opinion, and finally gives insight into the present state and possible future of environmental policy