Lauren Lantry (202) 548-6599 lauren.lantry@sierraclub.org
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, the Senate voted to confirm Rick Perry as Energy Secretary.
In response, Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune released the following statement:
“If the consequences weren’t so dire, it would be humorous that the Senate just confirmed Rick Perry to lead the Department of Energy -- the agency he couldn’t recall by name when asserting he wanted to eliminate it. Beyond that, Perry’s financial interests in major energy projects run counter to his responsibility to manage the Department of Energy’s activities impartially. The Department of Energy is now in the hands of someone who promotes dirty fossil fuels rather than the advancing clean energy market all the while ignoring the climate crisis.
“This confirmation makes Perry the latest addition to Donald Trump’s highly unqualified cabinet. Make no mistake, the Sierra Club is committed to fighting for our families, our communities, and our environment, and we will challenge any environmentally destructive policy Donald Trump, Rick Perry, or any of Trump’s reckless cabinet members throw our way.”
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About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 2.7 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.