Senator Schatz Meets With Interior Secretary Nominee Sally Jewell

WASHINGTON – Senator Brian Schatz, member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, met with Sally Jewell, President Obama’s nominee for Secretary of the Interior, about the priorities for the state of Hawai‘i.  Jewell has served as the President and CEO of Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI) for the past eight years.

“I had a productive conversation with President Obama’s nominee Sally Jewell about the issues that are important to the people of Hawai‘i, including the importance of establishing a government-to-government relationship for Native Hawaiians, her commitment to the National Parks Service and continuing Secretary Salazar’s legacy of encouraging the development of alternative energy sources,” said Senator Schatz.  “With her impressive background in the private sector and managing a multi-billion dollar organization,  I am confident in her ability to lead the Department of Interior and to establish a working relationship with our entire delegation so that we can tackle the issues that are facing Hawai‘i today.  I look forward to a fair and productive confirmation process in the days and weeks ahead.”