200 environmental groups challenge nomination of Pompeo for secretary of state

More than 200 national, state and local environmental groups are calling for the rejection of Mike Pompeo’s nomination for Secretary of State.

In a letter to senators, the groups cited Pompeo’s long history of public statements indicating his climate change denial and “extreme anti-environment, anti-consumer safety agenda.”

The letter was organized by the advocacy group Food & Water Watch and signed by national groups including 350.org, Greenpeace, Progressive Democrats of America and Public Citizen.

“At a time when many of our military and diplomatic leaders are citing climate chaos as the greatest threat to global peace and stability, it’s downright absurd to consider placing Mike Pompeo, a belligerent climate denier, at the helm of the State Department. For the sake of our planet and future generations, the Senate must reject Pompeo’s nomination out of hand,” said Wenonah Hauter, executive director of Food & Water Watch.

The letter specifically cites a number of public positions taken by Pompeo that contradict settled science on climate and public health, including:

• Opposing the Paris climate accord;

• Calling for the permanent elimination of wind power tax credits;

• Introducing legislation that would expedited the approval of fossil fuel pipelines.

“Any senator who votes in support of his nomination to the important position of secretary of state is complicit in advancing the Trump/Pompeo pro-fossil fuel, anti-climate agenda,” the letter states.

In Pompeo’s Senate confirmation for CIA director, he received support from a large number of Democrats, including Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Foreign Relations Committee members Tim Kaine and Jean Shaheen, as well as Dianne Feinstein, Sheldon Whitehouse and Amy Klobuchar.

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