Says we will ‘unleash Arkansas energy’

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.—Governor-elect Sarah Huckabee Sanders today announced her intention to nominate Shane Khoury as the Secretary of the Department of Energy and Environment.

“I am pleased to announce that I will be nominating Shane Khoury to serve as Secretary of the Department of Energy and Environment,” Sanders said. “Shane’s years of experience with state energy and environment policy will be an asset as we ensure our energy industry can continue to invest and diversify while preserving the Natural State’s outdoor beauty. A reliable, growing energy sector will expand our economy, creating opportunity for every Arkansan, and I’m confident that together, we will unleash Arkansas energy.”

“As Secretary of Energy and Environment, I will work with Governor-elect Sanders to foster the growth of our energy sector and provide reliable, affordable energy to all Arkansans while responsibly protecting our clean air, water, and land,” Khoury said. “It’s an honor to have her confidence to lead this department as we invest in energy and environment to make our state one of the best places to live, work, and raise a family.

Shane Khoury biography:
Shane E. Khoury received his law degree from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, William H. Bowen School of Law, and his bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Arkansas State University. Shane previously served as a Policy Advisor to the Governor for Regulatory Affairs, and he has experience in private practice. 

Shane has over eighteen years of service in state government. He currently serves as Chief Counsel for the Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment, handling all legal and policy matters and managing legislative affairs. He also serves as Hearing Officer for the Oil and Gas Commission. Currently, he is the Governor’s Associate Representative for Arkansas to the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission (IOGCC), he is the former Chair of the Council of State Oil and Gas Attorneys as well as the Legal and Regulatory Affairs Committee of the IOGCC. Shane has served as a Member on the National Council for Electricity Policy, as an Alternate on the Southern States Energy Board, and as a Chair on the Arkansas State Employee Grievance Appeal Panel/Arkansas State Employee Grievance Review Committee. 

The Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment includes the Division of Environmental Quality (DEQ), the Pollution Control and Ecology Commission (PC&EC), the Oil & Gas Commission (OGC), the Geological Survey (GS), and the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Board (LPGB). The Department’s mission is to provide effective and efficient energy and environmental solutions informed by science. The Department oversees important matters impacting Arkansas that includes managing and exploring a wide array of energy resources within Arkansas while protecting and maintaining our environment.  

Shane is married to his wife Kimberly Khoury, and they have two children, Elijah and Hope. They all are active in their church, enjoy going to the lake, playing sports, and spending time with family and friends.