Dept. of Interior Pick Mired in Conflict of Interests

Former Rifle, Colorado resident and longtime oil and gas lobbyist David Bernhardt has been nominated to head the US Department of The Interior, replacing Ryan Zinke. KDNK’s Gavin Dahl spoke to Center for Western Priorities policy director Jesse Prentice-Dunn about Bernhardt’s conflicts of interest and a recent public opinion survey on energy development and conservation.

 

  • cover play_arrow

    Dept. of Interior Pick Mired in Conflict of Interests KGNU News

 

According to a new report from Western Values Project, Bernhardt has been working on rolling back endangered species protections for the Delta Smelt, a policy change that directly favors his former client, Westlands Water District, according to a breaking New York Times story. Although Bernhardt claims he was allowed to work on the issue after receiving verbal approval from Interior Department lawyers, independent ethics specialists quoted in the story say his working on a policy that would disproportionately benefit a former client is a clear conflict of interest.

Picture of KGNU News

KGNU News

KGNU PARTNERS

0%

This May 1st and 2nd, we’re encouraging you to give and to publicly express what KGNU personally means to you.

We join other public and local stations across the country for this second annual event. It’s your forum to support and champion how KGNU connects with your values.

Donate

Learn More