WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Senate today voted to confirm David Bernhardt for Deputy Secretary of the Department of the Interior, despite his close ties to the oil industry, past ethics troubles, and personal financial stake in pending Department of the Interior decisions.
In response Lena Moffitt, senior director for Sierra Club’s Our Wild America campaign issued the following statement.
“Bernhardt’s confirmation for the second most powerful position within the Department of the Interior tilts the scales dangerously far in favor of drilling and mining public lands at what could be an incredible cost to the American public.
“Like many others in the Trump administration, Bernhardt has close ties to the oil industry and little respect for public lands-- even advocating to drill in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, one of our country’s last wild places. Bernhardt’s confirmation threatens our booming outdoor economy, will worsen the health effects of drilling, fracking and mining, and jeopardizes the future of our shared outdoor spaces.
“Sierra Club will continue to push back against Bernhardt and others who would sell out our public lands as we stand up for the health of our special places and our communities.”
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