President-elect Trump’s pick to head the Interior Department told the Senate energy committee Tuesday that he does not believe climate change is a hoax.
Montana Republican Rep. Ryan Zinke made the statement while answering questions by Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt.
The Democratic presidential candidate asked if Zinke agreed with the president-elect that climate change is a hoax. “Is President Trump right?” Sanders asked.
Zinke said the “climate is changing. That’s indisputable.” He said it is visible at Glacier National Park, recalling that he could see a glacier receding over lunch with his family while they were at the park one day.
Zinke said he believes that “man is an influence” of global warming. “The debate is over … what we can do about it.”
“I do not believe it’s a hoax,” he said unequivocally.
He also asked Zinke if he would support building wind and solar energy on federal lands. Zinke said he believes in an “all of the above” energy policy. “I will encourage absolutely wind and solar.”
