Virginia Cramer, virginia.cramer@sierraclub.org
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Interior Secretary Haaland today issued two executive orders prioritizing action on climate change and revoking Trump administration policies promoting fossil fuel development over the health of communities and the outdoors. The orders ensure that the social cost of carbon and other climate pollution is considered in decision making, and instructs agencies within the Department of the Interior not to adhere to the Trump-era regulations implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). They also focus on economic justice and a just transition for communities most reliant on fossil fuels.
In response Sierra Club Our Wild America acting campaign director Chris Hill issued the following statement.
“Sierra Club applauds Secretary Haaland for today’s decisive action on climate. The science is clear that public lands and waters must be part of the climate solution. Secretary Haaland’s orders offer a holistic approach to managing natural resources in ways that improve the health of our communities, our climate and our wild places.
“There is a better way forward. A way where lands are used to store carbon pollution, rather than create it. A way where local economies are supported to diversify away from the boom and bust fossil fuel cycle. A way where everyone is able to safely enjoy the benefits of nature. We welcome the new path set forward by Secretary Haaland and look forward to taking the next steps together."
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About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, 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.