How Deb Haaland's confirmation bid became a 'proxy fight' over fossil fuels

Joe Biden’s progressive nominee for interior secretary faced harsh questions from lawmakers with deep industry ties

Partway through the sometimes contentious confirmation hearing for Deb Haaland as US secretary of the interior last week came an acknowledgement of the two powerful forces, with very different attitudes to the climate crisis, that have squared off over the nomination.

“I almost feel like your nomination is a proxy fight over the future of fossil fuels,” Maria Cantwell, a Democrat from Washington, told Haaland during the Senate hearing.

Related: Republicans criticizing Haaland's nomination have ties to fossil fuels