[env-trinity] Obama to pick Sen. Salazar for Interior

[Tom Stokely]

Official: Obama to pick Sen. Salazar for Interior
The Times-Standard
Posted: 12/16/2008 01:27:47 AM PST

http://www.times-standard.com/localnews/ci_11243255



A transition official for President-elect Barack Obama says Colorado Sen. Ken Salazar will be named Interior Secretary later this week, seemingly ending speculation that the post could go to North Coast Congressman Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena. 

The appointment will round out Obama's environment and energy team. He unveiled most of the team on Monday. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity to avoid pre-empting Obama's upcoming announcement. 

Salazar is a first-term Colorado Senator who has established a name for himself on public lands and energy resources issues. He headed the Colorado Natural Resources Department from 1990 through 1994. 

The Interior Department has broad oversight over the nation's energy resources and environment; it oversees oil and gas drilling on public lands and manages the nation's parks and wildlife refuges. 

Thompson's name remained in the thick of the discussion as late as last week, when the Oregonian reported that the rumor mill was "humming" that Obama would pick Thompson for interior secretary, while the Associated Press had only Thompson and Arizona Congressman Raul Grijalva on its list of candidates for the position. 

Thompson's name first came up as a candidate for interior secretary last month, after a pair of California lawmakers and dozens of sportsmen's groups sent letters to the Obama transition team in support of Thompson, urging his appointment to head the Department of the Interior. 

But some on the far left ideologically were opposed to Thompson's nomination, attacking his environmental record. 

The interior secretary is tasked with overseeing the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, the United States Geological Survey and the National Parks Service. 


The Associated Press contributed to this report.


Tom Stokely
Water Policy Coordinator
California Water Impact Network
504A Lennon St. (USPS and UPS)
Mt Shasta, CA 96067
V/FAX 530-926-9727
Cell 530-524-0315
tstokely at att.net
http://www.c-win.org/
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