Trump picks former oil lobbyist David Bernhardt to run U.S. Interior Department

They're just gonna drill everything they can while Trump's in power, aren't they.

Donald Trump tweeted on Monday, David has done a fantastic job from the day he arrived, and we look forward to having his nomination officially confirmed!

David Bernhardt, a former oil industry lobbyist, will be the next head of the U.S. Department of the Interior, assuming Trump has his way.

I am pleased to announce that David Bernhardt, Acting Secretary of the Interior, will be nominated as Secretary of the Interior. David has done a fantastic job from the day he arrived, and we look forward to having his nomination officially confirmed!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 4, 2019

From the NYT:

While Mr. Zinke had been the public face of some of the largest rollbacks of public-land protections in the nations history, Mr. Bernhardt was the one quietly pulling the levers to carry them out, opening millions of acres of public land and water to oil, gas and coal companies. He is described by allies and opponents alike as having played a crucial role in advancing what Mr. Trump has described as an energy dominance agenda for the country.

Bernhardt has really been running the show, directing the policy shop in a very strong way, said Mark Squillace, an expert on environmental law at the University of Colorado Law School.

Echoing a frequent critique of Mr. Bernhardt, Mr. Squillace emphasized that the former energy lobbyist and lawyer, if confirmed by the Senate, would have broad authority to shape rules that affect his former clients.