Donald Trump's energy secretary has roles at Dakota Access Pipeline companies

US President-elect Donald Trump's choice for energy secretary has close ties to the Texas oil industry and corporate roles in two petroleum companies pushing for government approval of the proposed 1,200-mile crude oil pipeline that has sparked mass protests in North Dakota.

Rick Perry's current position as board director at Energy Transfer Partners and also at Sunoco Logistics Partners, which jointly developed the controversial Dakota Access Pipeline project, is a strong indicator of the pro-oil industry sentiment that will likely take root at the Energy Department under his oversight.