Senate confirms Trump’s pick to lead federal land agency as drilling and mining expand

The U.S. Senate has confirmed David Bernhardt, a former oil and gas executive, to lead the Department of the Interior, a role that includes overseeing vast stretches of federal land across the country where drilling and mining are expanding. Bernhardt’s confirmation comes amid increasing calls for stronger protections against environmental degradation from groups concerned about the impacts of extractive industries. His background as a Republican lawyer who represented the oil and gas industry in legal battles has raised questions about his approach to balancing economic development with cons…