Former North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum is set to appear before a Senate committee on Thursday for consideration as the nominee for chief steward of U.S. public lands and waters. President-elect Donald Trump nominated Burgum in November to serve as interior secretary and lead the new National Energy Council, tasked with promoting energy development, including oil and gas.
The Interior Department oversees a significant portion of federal land and offshore areas, responsible for about one-quarter of U.S. oil production annually. This has made it a focal point in the ongoing debate surrounding climate change.
President Joe Biden's administration has taken steps to reduce new oil and gas sales from public reserves as part of its climate change mitigation efforts. Despite this, oil production reached record levels during Biden's term, driven by high prices that encouraged drilling on leased lands.
Burgum, a wealthy software industry entrepreneur with roots in farming, served two terms as governor of oil-rich North Dakota. He endorsed Trump after withdrawing from his own 2024 presidential bid.
The energy council that Burgum would lead could play a crucial role in Trump's strategy to increase energy exports to global allies, particularly in Europe.
Trump has expressed opposition to renewable energy, including offshore wind, raising questions about potential policies at the Interior Department under Burgum's leadership.
North Dakota has witnessed a rapid expansion of wind power in recent years, with Burgum outlining plans during his governorship to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030. He also championed a pipeline project aimed at capturing and storing greenhouse gases underground, which he views as profitable ventures. However, critics of carbon capture technology argue that it remains unproven at scale and allows the fossil fuel industry to continue largely unchanged.
In addition to fossil fuels, the Interior Department's responsibilities encompass grazing, mining, wildlife conservation, the National Park system, and trust obligations to over 500 Native American and Alaska Native tribes.
Trump's first term was marked by contentious battles over actions that weakened protections for endangered species and expedited approvals for infrastructure projects. Many of these measures faced legal challenges or were reversed under the Biden administration.
Thursday's Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing follows disruptions during the previous day's proceedings for another member of Trump's energy team, secretary of energy nominee Chris Wright. Wright pledged to support all forms of American energy while acknowledging the role of fossil fuels in contributing to climate change.
