It’s a tale of two nominees for President Biden’s Cabinet, both of whom will be key players in implementing his commitments to aggressively promoting clean energy, protecting natural resources, and reducing carbon emissions: former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm for Secretary of Energy and Rep. Deb Haaland of New Mexico for Secretary of the Interior.
Last week, the U.S. Senate confirmed Granholm by a bipartisan vote of 64-35. While she faced adverse comments from some fossil-fuel-favoring senators, her ultimate confirmation never seemed in serious question.
Conservation advocates congratulated Granholm. “[Secretary] Granholm has the expertise and innovative spirit to lead our country’s transition to 100% clean energy and achieve President Biden’s vision to put Americans to work in the clean energy jobs of the future,” said Lisa Wozniak, executive director of the Michigan League of Conservation Voters. “We have a real opportunity to revitalize our economy, protect our water, and create jobs as we transition to cleaner sources of energy and transportation, like wind, solar, and electric vehicles.”
Meanwhile, however, Rep. Haaland’s nomination continued to draw fire, including a petition from Republican members of Congress asking that her nomination be withdrawn and hostile questioning at her confirmation hearing. Many observers and Native American leaders noted the difference in the reception for Haaland, a highly regarded member of the U.S. House who would become the first Native American in history to serve in a presidential Cabinet.
League of Conservation Voters (LCV) representatives strongly support Rep. Haaland. “Secretary-designate Haaland’s leadership, experience and stellar record, including her 98% lifetime score on the National Environmental Scorecard, are indisputable,” noted LCV Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Tiernan Sittenfeld. “This hearing is an opportunity to focus on how Haaland will prioritize access to nature, tribal consultation, and responsible management of our public lands and resources for all people in this country, and it must not turn into a performance by certain senators to please fossil fuel CEOs. Her historic confirmation could not be more important, especially on the heels of the last administration.”
Though he is still expected to be confirmed, North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Secretary Michael Regan is also awaiting a vote on the Senate floor, a week after it was believed he would be confirmed. That vote could come later this week or early next. In an op-ed, our executive director Carrie Clark argues Regan’s leadership at DEQ could be a model for President Biden’s climate and environmental solutions.
Urge our Senators Burr and Tillis to support Regan’s nomination!
