Rep. Ryan Zinke (R-Montana) has been chosen by President-elect Donald Trump to serve as secretary of the Interior Department, USA Today reported Thursday.
David Jackson writes Zinke is a former U.S. Navy SEAL and is in his second term in the House following his re-election in November.
Zinke “has built one of the strongest track records on championing regulatory relief, forest management, responsible energy development and public land issues,†Trump said in statement.
“I will work tirelessly to ensure our public lands are managed and preserved in a way that benefits everyone for generations to come,†Zinke said in response to his selection for the post, Jackson reports.
Zinke is a member of the House Committee on Natural Resources and an advocate of the coal industry in Montana, according to a report by Veronica Stracqualursi for ABC News.
He is one of the co-sponsors of a bill that seeks to establish the Keystone XL pipeline and is known for being critical of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Power Plan, ABC News added.
