Hearing Insights: Crucial Points Discussed Regarding Job Opportunities and Oil Infrastructure, as Presented by Deb Haaland
Rep. Deb Haaland, the first Native American to be nominated for the position, testified before the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on Tuesday for the role of Secretary of the Interior [4]. During her hearing, Haaland's stance on climate action, clean energy, and Indigenous rights took centre stage.
Haaland reiterated her readiness to work across the aisle to find bipartisan solutions to U.S. energy needs [1]. She emphasised the importance of investing in a global "green economy" which could create up to 24 million jobs worldwide [2]. However, she also acknowledged the need for environmental justice and the climate crisis to be prioritised.
While Haaland did not explicitly voice any opposition to the Keystone XL and Dakota Access pipelines during the hearing, her actions and the positions of the Department of the Interior under her leadership clearly demonstrate opposition to such fossil fuel pipeline projects [5]. The administration under Haaland has prioritised environmental justice and climate crisis action, and efforts have been made to reform and restrict fossil fuel leasing and development on federal lands, which would impact pipeline projects [1][3].
Haaland also confirmed that she would continue permitting oil pipelines, although she has been a fierce advocate of leaving fossil fuels in the ground in the past [6]. This seems to suggest a shift in her stance, as she is seeking the position of Interior secretary to push forth the president's agenda, which is less inclined to leave all fossil fuels in the ground [7].
Haaland made it clear that the missing and murdered Indigenous crisis will be a priority for her as secretary [3]. She also agreed with the tribe that they felt they weren't consulted in the best way during the Dakota Access pipeline construction [8]. Haaland managed to pass a bipartisan bill on the missing and murdered Indigenous crisis during her short stint in Congress [9].
The Civilian Climate Corps, an executive order proposal by President Biden, aims to train young people on conservation to help repair and transform national parks and green spaces [10]. This initiative aligns with Haaland's focus on environmental justice and the climate crisis.
However, some Senate Republicans expressed opposition to Haaland's support for climate action and clean energy [11]. The GOP has a history of being uninterested in bipartisan solutions to the climate crisis, making a transition off fossil fuels challenging [12]. Many legislative leaders have ties to the oil and gas industry, further complicating the transition away from fossil fuels.
In summary, Deb Haaland's current stance is one of opposition to the Keystone XL and Dakota Access pipelines, subsumed within her broader agenda for climate action, environmental justice, and Indigenous rights, as reflected since her Senate confirmation and continuing as Interior Secretary. Her focus on the missing and murdered Indigenous crisis and her commitment to environmental justice make her an influential figure in the fight against climate change and the pursuit of a greener economy.
References: [1] https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/biden-administration-expedite-review-oil-gas-leases-federal-lands-2021-01-26/ [2] https://www.npr.org/2021/01/19/959640186/deb-haaland-takes-her-seat-on-the-house-natural-resources-committee [3] https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/22/politics/deb-haaland-interior-secretary-nomination-hearing/index.html [4] https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/17/politics/deb-haaland-interior-secretary-nomination/index.html [5] https://www.politico.com/news/2021/03/23/haaland-keystone-xl-pipeline-476200 [6] https://www.politico.com/news/2021/03/23/haaland-keystone-xl-pipeline-476200 [7] https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/03/18/deb-haaland-fossil-fuels-oil-gas-climate-change/ [8] https://www.politico.com/news/2021/03/23/haaland-keystone-xl-pipeline-476200 [9] https://www.politico.com/news/2021/03/23/haaland-keystone-xl-pipeline-476200 [10] https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/01/27/fact-sheet-the-civilian-climate-corps/ [11] https://www.politico.com/news/2021/03/23/haaland-keystone-xl-pipeline-476200 [12] https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/03/18/deb-haaland-fossil-fuels-oil-gas-climate-change/
- Haaland's stance on climate action, clean energy, and Indigenous rights emerged as the main focus during her Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources hearing for the role of Secretary of the Interior.
- Haaland emphasized the importance of investing in a global "green economy," which could generate up to 24 million jobs worldwide.
- While Haaland did not explicitly voice opposition to the Keystone XL and Dakota Access pipelines during the hearing, her actions and the positions of the Department of the Interior under her leadership demonstrate opposition to such fossil fuel pipeline projects.
- Haaland confirmed that she would continue permitting oil pipelines, but has advocated leaving fossil fuels in the ground in the past, potentially signaling a shift in her stance.
- Haaland made it clear that addressing the missing and murdered Indigenous crisis will be a priority for her as secretary.
- Haaland agreed that tribes felt they weren't consulted in the best way during the Dakota Access pipeline construction.
- Haaland passed a bipartisan bill on the missing and murdered Indigenous crisis during her short stint in Congress.
- The Civilian Climate Corps, an executive order proposal by President Biden, supports Haaland's focus on environmental justice and the climate crisis.
- Some Senate Republicans have expressed opposition to Haaland's support for climate action and clean energy.
- The GOP's history of being uninterested in bipartisan solutions to the climate crisis and the ties of legislative leaders to the oil and gas industry complicate the transition away from fossil fuels.
- As Interior Secretary, Deb Haaland will continue to be an influential figure in the fight against climate change, pursuing clean energy, and advocating for Indigenous rights and environmental justice.
