Virginia Cramer, virginia.cramer@sierraclub.org, 804-519-8449
The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee tomorrow is set to hold a hearing on the nomination of David Bernhardt for Deputy Secretary of the Department of the Interior. Serious concerns have been raised about Bernhardt’s close ties to the oil industry, past ethics troubles, and personal financial stake in pending Department of the Interior decisions.
In anticipation, Athan Manuel, director of Public Lands Protection for the Sierra Club issued the following statement.
“David Bernhardt’s nomination for the second most powerful position within the Department of the Interior confirms that stripping special places of protection and opening them to dirty fuel development is the priority for this administration-- no matter the cost to our families or our climate.
“Confirming Bernhardt will threaten our booming outdoor economy, worsen the immediate health effects of drilling, fracking and mining, and jeopardize the future of some of our last wild places, like the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Senators would be wise to consider the massive opposition to plans to dismantle, degrade and dispose of our great outdoors before they allow Bernhardt to take up residency at the Department of the Interior.”
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