DENY CLIMATE CHANGE DENIERS: Oppose Kathleen Hartnett White Nomination

THE ISSUE

During Kathleen Hartnett White’s confirmation hearing before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee in November, the former Texas regulator described belief in global warming as “a kind of paganism,” said renewable energy was “parasitic,” and called carbon dioxide “a plant nutrient.” Democrats successfully stalled White’s nomination and her name was returned to the White House at the end of 2017. Now, Trump has re-nominated her for the post and she is poised to come before the committee for another hearing. As chair of the Council on Environmental Quality, White would oversee the federal implementation of the National Environmental Policy Act, which requires environmental reviews of major government actions. Environmental advocates and scientists say that if confirmed, White could dismantle a range of environmental protections that she has disparaged, including the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, and the Endangered Species Act. Her nomination has been opposed by dozens of environmental groups and a group of 300 scientists from around the country.      

THE ACTION

• White’s second hearing has not yet been scheduled, but senators Collins and King need to hear from Mainers now. Email and call them and ask that they publicly voice their opposition to White now, which could influence the votes of others in the Environment and Public Works Committee.
• Use a form from Natural Resources Council of Maine to send Collins and King a letter urging them to oppose White’s nomination.
• Are you a scientist? NRCM has created a letter from the scientific community voicing opposition to White’s nomination. Add your name to it here.