New Jersey LCV Statement on Bernhardt Secretary Nomination

TRENTON, NJ— Ed Potosnak, Executive Director of New Jersey League of Conservation Voters, released the following statement today on the nomination of David Bernhardt for Secretary of Interior:

The nomination of David Bernhardt to serve as Secretary of the Interior sets a dangerous precedent for New Jersey. The American public is getting another raw deal with David Bernhardt, the scandal-plagued, conflict-ridden former industry lobbyist who will take over as Secretary if confirmed.

Throughout Secretary Zinke’s tenure, it was evident that Deputy Secretary Bernhardt was the brains behind the operation. Bernhardt’s track record speaks for itself: since 2016, DOI opened up 90 percent of U.S. coastal waters to oil drilling, putting coastal communities at risk of catastrophic oil spills—something New Jersey cannot afford to do. If confirmed, Bernhardt will continue to churn out these policies that put oil and gas companies first and the American people last.

There is no doubt the Jersey Shore and New Jersey will suffer under David Bernhardt, and we stand opposed to this nomination. We demand a nominee that can effectively oversee one of our nation’s most important agencies and who will put the interests of the people above big corporations.

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