No confidence: Hochberg’s fossil fuel record makes him unfit to be a top aide for Biden
WASHINGTON — 44 environmental groups sent a letter today decrying Fred Hochberg’s potential leadership as a top aide in the Biden Administration. The signatories to the letter include Friends of the Earth US, Greenpeace, Rainforest Action Network, and Center for Biological Diversity.
Hochberg served as the President and Chairman of the US Export-Import Bank (EXIM), the official U.S. export credit agency. Hochberg’s fossil fueled legacy at EXIM disqualifies him for a top aide position with the new Biden administration, the groups claim.
“Hochberg was a disaster at EXIM, turning the institution into the fossil fuel bank,” said Doug Norlen, economic policy director at Friends of the Earth U.S. “Under Hochberg’s leadership, EXIM supported projects like the Sasan coal plant and mine that have resulted in at least 36 deaths. This cruel legacy means Hochberg has forfeited his right to a place in the Biden administration.”
Hochberg was shortlisted in early November as a potential candidate for US Trade Representative, or other high-level positions in the Biden administration.
“Given his record of support for fossil fuel expansion world-wide, and for deadly, polluting, and corruption-inducing projects, we urge you to reject Fred Hochberg for U.S. Trade Representative and other key administration positions,” the letter reads.
Hochberg’s consideration for a top position is in direct violation of Biden’s pledge to jumpstart a Presidency focused on climate solutions. In his seven years at EXIM under Obama, Hochberg oversaw USD 34 billion in investments in fossil fuel projects, which is three times as much as the previous eight years under Bush.
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