For Immediate Release

President-elect Joe Biden has made a historic choice by nominating New Mexico Rep. Deb Haaland to be the next Interior Secretary.

In response, Food & Water Watch Policy Director Mitch Jones released the following statement:

“Hundreds of progressive organizations and climate activist groups have rallied to support Deb Haaland as the next Interior Secretary because she has the record and the expertise to protect our public lands. Most importantly, Haaland has been clear about her commitment to ending the exploitation of public lands by fossil fuel corporations, which over the last four years were given a green light to pollute and profiteer off of land that should be managed in the public interest. 

“Biden’s selection of Deb Haaland is a victory for indigenous communities, for the climate movement, and for everyone who seeks to undo the disastrous policies of the Trump era. It is a bold move that signals that Biden is serious about pursuing a full ban on oil and gas leases on public lands.”