The Interior Department announced on Wednesday that Tommy Beaudreau, the department’s No. 2 official, will quit the Biden administration.
According to the department, Beaudreau will resign from his position in October.
“Tommy’s impact on the Department can be seen in every aspect of our work. He has been a valued counselor and friend. His legacy will continue as we carry on our work to implement President Biden’s historic Investing in America agenda and steward our public lands and waters for the American people.” Interior Secretary Deb Haaland said in a statement.
Beaudreau has been a member of the Interior Department’s staff for a considerable amount of time. In June 2021, he received confirmation to fill the No. 2 spot.
In her time at Interior, Haaland has gained a reputation as a supporter of progressives and environmentalists.
When compared to Haaland, Beaudreau’s confirmation received an 88-9 vote in the Senate as opposed to Haaland’s 51-40. The only Democratic caucus member to reject the nomination was Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), who did so because of Beaudreau’s connections to the oil sector.
Notably, Beaudreau made the formal announcement in March that the Biden administration had approved the Willow Project, a large oil exploration project in Alaska.
During her confirmation hearings in 2021, Haaland, who opposed the project when serving in the House of Representatives, stated that her prior opposition would not influence her choices as secretary.
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