Interior Nominee Haaland Faces Heated Questioning at Hearing

Interior Secretary-designate Deb Haaland downplayed her past opposition to fracking during a heated confirmation hearing Tuesday, as she sought to reassure senators worried she would clamp down on fossil fuel development.

A clean energy transition is “not going to happen overnight,” and the U.S. will continue to rely on fossil fuels even as the country advances technology and innovation, Haaland told the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee vetting her nomination. “There’s no question that fossil energy does and will continue to play a major role in America for years to come,” and the activity helps fund “critical services,” Haaland ...