WASHINGTON (April 11, 2019) – The Senate today voted to confirm oil lobbyist David Bernhardt as Interior Secretary, paving the way for Bernhardt to dramatically expand offshore drilling, including off the coast of North Carolina.
Both of North Carolina’s senators voted “yes.”
“The votes by Senators Tillis and Burr to confirm former oil lobbyist David Bernhardt as Interior Secretary were votes for exposing North Carolina’s coastal communities to dirty and dangerous oil rigs off the state’s beaches,” said Kevin S. Curtis, Executive Director of the NRDC Action Fund. “Bernhardt is a shill for oil and gas, coal, Big Ag and other interests. We will fight alongside North Carolinians every time he and Interior try to carry out his pro-polluter agenda, and we’ll make sure they know where their senators stood on this important vote.”
The NRDC Action Fund is launching digital ads urging North Carolina residents to tell Sens. Thom Tillis (R) and Richard Burr (R) to stand up to Bernhardt, respect the bipartisan opposition to offshore drilling, and protect the state’s coastal communities and businesses.