So far the president has not nominated anyone as a permanent replacement. The acting secretary is Zinke's deputy David Bernhardt, a lawyer and former lobbyist for the oil industry with longtime experience at the agency.
"He's thought by many to be the power behind the throne," said Jeff Ruch, executive director of the watchdog group Public Employees For Environmental Responsibility.
Bernhardt is a polarizing figure, loved by the industry and assailed by environmental protection groups.
From 2001 to 2009 he held a number of positions at the Department of the Interior, including solicitor. When Zinke named him as his deputy, he cited his extensive agency experience, "his esteemed legal career, and down-right love of our land and resources." Like many previous secretaries, Bernhardt also hails from the West — he's a native of Rifle, Colo.
In addition to his track record in Washington governance and politics, Bernhardt also has experience in the fossil fuel industry. He worked for a Washington, D.C., lobbying firm where E&E News reported that his clients included Cobalt International Energy and the Independent Petroleum Association of America.
Environmentalists argue it raises ethical questions for someone who worked on behalf of oil and gas companies to then be in charge of managing those resources.
Kathleen Sgamma, president of the industry group Western Energy Alliance, said naysayers are being hypocritical.
"It's always interesting to hear the enviros say that kind of thing, because they have no problem with them occupying positions when the tide is turned," she said.
Case in point: the previous interior secretary, Sally Jewell, was the former head of outdoor recreation behemoth REI...
MORE
No comments:
Post a Comment