Adam Beitman, adam.beitman@sierraclub.org or 202-670-5585
WASHINGTON, DC - Donald Trump has picked Kathleen Hartnett White, a fossil fuel industry apologist and aggressive opponent of environmental and public health protections, to lead the White House Council on Environmental Quality. Her record in Texas led to the Dallas Morning News calling her 'an apologist for polluters,' citing, among other things, her lobbying for weak smog standards.
Like almost all of the Trump Administration, White has a disgraceful history of attacking reality in the service of the fossil fuel industry, including:
As head of TCEQ, reportedly tried to hide the amount of radiation in drinking water
Denying the scientific consensus on climate change, even absurdly arguing that fossil fuels and carbon pollution are good for the environment.
Claiming that - in spite of mountains of evidence - fracking has had “virtually no documented environmental problems.”
Currently works as a fellow at a Koch-funded think tank
Previously attacked EPA efforts to curb soot and toxic mercury pollution.
In Response, Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune Released the Following Statement:
"The nomination of Kathleen Hartnett-White is the nightmare scenario for anyone who wants clean air and clean water, as her record makes clear she is completely ready and willing to sell out the health of our kids to corporate polluters.
“Hartnett-White has shown again and again that she will put polluters before the public, as she’s been caught hiding the amount of radiation in drinking water and literally wrote a book of absurd fossil fuel propaganda attacking job-creating clean energy.
“With this disgraceful history of prioritizing corporate polluters instead of people, Hartnett-White shouldn’t be allowed in the door at CEQ, let alone be allowed to run it. The Senate should learn a lesson from confirming Scott Pruitt and not allow another dangerous polluter ally to seize power by rejecting this outrageous nomination."
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3 million members and supporters. In addition to helping people from all backgrounds explore nature and our outdoor heritage, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.