The Senate gave its approval for Doug Burgum to assume the role of interior secretary late Thursday, a decision made after President Donald Trump appointed the North Dakota billionaire to lead the administration’s goals of enhancing fossil fuel production.
The confirmation vote resulted in a tally of 79-18, with a significant number of Senate Democrats joining the entire Republican contingent in support of Burgum.
At 68 years old, Burgum is a highly successful entrepreneur from the software industry, hailing from a modest farming community in North Dakota where he gained early work experience in his family’s grain elevator.
He previously held two terms as governor of North Dakota, a state rich in oil resources, and briefly entered the presidential race in 2023 before dropping out to endorse Trump shortly thereafter.
Additionally, Trump selected Burgum to lead a new National Energy Council aimed at achieving American “energy dominance,” providing him an unprecedented role on the National Security Council for someone in the position of interior secretary.
Trump’s directive to Burgum includes simplifying the process for energy companies to access fossil fuel reserves, particularly those located on public lands. This initiative raised concerns among environmental advocates and some Democrats due to the link between fossil fuel emissions and climate change.
During his tenure as governor, Burgum actively supported the energy industry, profiting from the leasing of family land for oil extraction as recorded by various sources.
During his confirmation proceedings, Burgum articulated that U.S. energy development could serve as a tool to foster peace and reduce costs for consumers. He voiced reservations about the reliability of renewable energy sources that were favored by the previous administration and advocated for a greater share of electricity generation from consistent sources like coal and nuclear energy.
In response, Democrats criticized the Trump administration for abandoning a comprehensive energy policy that included renewables in favor of fossil fuels.
Hawaii Democratic Senator Brian Schatz remarked on the Senate floor that the current administration is undermining wind energy prospects while simultaneously attempting to invigorate demand for coal and gas.
Meanwhile, Wyoming Senator John Barrasso, holding a senior Republican position, praised Burgum’s approach, stating he would prioritize energy innovation rather than regulation.
Barrasso noted that expansive areas of federal land in Wyoming have been approved for energy production but the Biden administration has not moved forward with their development.
The U.S. has reached historic levels of crude oil production, as reported by the Energy Information Administration, spurred by advancements in drilling technology that have transformed rural landscapes in regions such as New Mexico, Texas, and North Dakota into active oil fields.
These developments have generated substantial tax revenues for both state and federal levels; however, the combustion of these fuels contributes significantly to carbon dioxide emissions, a key factor in environmental warming.
The Department of the Interior manages over half a billion acres of federal land and extensive offshore areas, which together account for approximately one-quarter of the nation’s oil production each year.
The interior secretary’s responsibilities include overseeing the National Park Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Bureau of Land Management, and various other agencies.
Burgum steps into this position following Deb Haaland, who took a contrasting approach under Biden by actively reducing oil and gas sales while promoting renewable energy projects on federal lands.
Energy development was a primary focus during Trump’s first term, and he has renewed his commitment to dismantle environmental protections aimed at safeguarding public health and safety.
In earlier Senate hearings, Burgum proposed that capturing carbon dioxide from fossil fuels could mitigate their impact on global warming. However, critics of carbon capture technology argue it remains largely unproven at large scales and allows the fossil fuel industry to maintain its existing operations, despite the growing urgency related to climate change.
Under Haaland’s leadership at the Interior Department, previous changes made during Trump’s tenure, which had relaxed protections for endangered species and facilitated private development ventures on public lands, were reversed. Republicans in Congress are expected to revisit regulations pertaining to endangered species, seeking Burgum’s support in these initiatives.
Burgum contended to lawmakers that federal lands hold potential for diverse uses, including recreation, logging, and oil production, which can benefit local economies.
“Not every acre of federal land is designated as a national park or wilderness area,” he remarked.
