Kamala Hires Who For Her Administration?
In a notable shift within the Biden administration’s campaign, a former employee of a climate advocacy group known for its push to ban gas stoves has secured a key position with Vice President Kamala Harris’s 2024 presidential campaign. Camila Thorndike, who previously served as a prominent figure at Rewiring America, has been appointed as the “climate engagement director” for Harris’s campaign.
Thorndike’s new role was announced through her social media platforms earlier this week. During her tenure at Rewiring America, Thorndike was part of a team that drew significant criticism from conservative circles. Rewiring America, which operates under a left-leaning financial network, became a focal point of controversy due to its association with a study that linked gas stoves to childhood asthma. This study, which gained traction among progressives, was endorsed by Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm and funded by the Rocky Mountain Institute. The findings contributed to the Energy Department’s recent proposal of a federal gas stove efficiency rule set to be implemented in 2028.
Despite the rule being less restrictive than previous versions, it has been met with resistance from Republican lawmakers and energy advocates. They argue that such regulations infringe on free market principles and undermine energy independence. Daniel Turner, founder of Power the Future, criticized Harris for hiring someone with radical environmental views, suggesting that her actions contradict any claims of moderating her climate stance.
The appointment of Thorndike is expected to intensify scrutiny from GOP leaders and fossil fuel proponents who have been vocal about the Biden-Harris administration’s climate policies. Critics argue that these policies, often seen as extreme and economically detrimental, are a continuation of the administration’s agenda to impose restrictive measures on energy sectors.
Rewiring America, which has been influential in shaping climate policy under the current administration, played a role in the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act and was featured in several White House initiatives. Thorndike, who has a history with Senator Bernie Sanders and has previously described the climate crisis as a “life-or-death situation for our planet and democracy,” is now set to bring her expertise to Harris’s campaign.
Kathleen Sgamma of the Western Energy Alliance has expressed concerns that a potential Harris administration, similar to the Biden administration, would continue imposing stringent regulations on energy. As Thorndike begins her new role, the campaign’s approach to climate policy and energy regulation remains under close observation from both Republican and industry critics.
The Harris campaign has yet to respond to inquiries about this new appointment, leaving many questions unanswered about how Thorndike’s role might shape future policy directions.
