Senators casting votes in support of Rep. Haaland for Interior Secretary will earn a negative mark on AEA’s Energy Scorecard.
WASHINGTON DC (March 15, 2021) – Today, the American Energy Alliance (AEA), the country’s premier pro-consumer, pro-taxpayer, and free-market energy organization, issued a vote alert to members of the U.S. Senate that the organization would be scoring the confirmation vote of Rep. Deb Haaland (D-NM) as the next Secretary of Interior. AEA’s Energy Scorecard has two primary audiences – voters and lawmakers – and its purpose is to highlight activity around the most important energy-related votes and legislation in Congress.
Last month, AEA issued a series of questions exposing poor judgment and actions by Haaland and a history of unscientific commentary on climate change and opposition to domestic energy production. Tapping America’s vast energy resources on federal lands has proven to keep energy prices affordable and increased our nation’s energy security.
A vote in support of Haaland, who opposes safe and responsible domestic energy development, will result in a negative mark on a Senator’s Energy Scorecards.
AEA President Thomas Pyle issued the following statement ahead of the vote:
“While Biden’s nominees for various energy and economic positions have been awful, Rep. Haaland may be the most extreme. Her wholehearted opposition to the invaluable practice of hydraulic fracturing (fracking), her advocacy for the “30×30” movement, which would exclude most of the federal lands from productive use, and her endorsement of the Green New Deal make her unfit to lead the department.
“Haaland hails from New Mexico, the epicenter of America’s thriving oil and gas production, and earned a 0% as a member of Congress on our Energy Scorecard. That means she actively opposes domestic energy production and seeks to drive up energy prices while inhibiting America’s energy security. Supporting her in this role should be political suicide and we’re making that crystal clear with today’s vote alert. These aren’t threats, these are facts.
“Any Senator who casts a vote in support of Haaland is voting against American energy and will be forced to explain to their own constituents that they are directly responsible for rising energy prices and why foreign nations like China, who controls the rare earth mineral market required for renewable energy manufacturing, is in control of our energy future, not us.”
Federal policies impacting energy production on America’s public lands hit Haaland’s home state of New Mexico particularly hard, where $2.8 billion in revenue is derived from oil and gas production. At least half of New Mexico’s oil and gas production occurs on federal lands, and the revenue generated from oil and gas funds almost 40% of the state’s budget. Furthermore, President Biden’s Interior Department initiated a 60-day suspension of new oil and gas drilling permits on Jan. 21, which if remained permanent is estimated to result in 72,818 fewer jobs annually. Lost wages would total $19.6 billion, economic activity would decline $43.8 billion, and tax revenues would drop $10.8 billion by the end of Biden’s first term. Western governors, including Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-NM), have voiced concern about federal decisions that overwhelmingly impact western states.
On Friday, AEA urged U.S. citizens who support affordable energy to contact their senators and urge a No vote on Haaland. After votes are cast, AEA will use its Energy Scorecard to highlight those that vote for and against Haaland. Americans deserve an Interior Secretary who has a record of seeking a balanced approach to federal lands activities and who supports energy security.
Additional Resources:
- Rep. Deb Haaland’s 0% American Energy Scorecard Score (2019-20)
- China and the Rare Earth Supply Chain Policy Brief
- Top 10 Questions for DOI Nominee Deb Haaland
- Where Biden & His Administration Stand on Energy, A Look at Records & Public Statements
For media inquiries please email AEA’s Press Office: press@energydc.org