The Senate confirmed Doug Burgum as interior secretary late Thursday after President Donald Trump tapped the North Dakota billionaire to spearhead the Republican administration's ambitions to boost fossil fuel production. The vote was 79-18, with more than half of Senate Democrats joining all 53 Republicans in supporting Burgum.
Burgum, 68, is an ultra-wealthy software industry entrepreneur who served two terms as governor of North Dakota. He launched a presidential campaign in 2023 but dropped out and endorsed Trump. Trump appointed Burgum to chair the National Energy Council and granted him a seat on the National Security Council, a first for an interior secretary.
Trump's directive to Burgum is to make it easier for energy companies to access fossil fuel resources, including from public lands. This move has raised concerns among environmentalists and some Democrats due to the impact of fossil fuels on greenhouse gas emissions.
During his confirmation hearing, Burgum emphasized using energy development to promote peace and lower consumer costs. He expressed skepticism about renewable power sources and advocated for generating more electricity from coal and nuclear sources.
Republicans praised Burgum for prioritizing energy innovation over regulation and unlocking lands for oil and gas production. They criticized the Biden administration for not developing approved energy production areas.
The U.S. currently leads in crude oil production, driven by technological advancements that have spurred drilling booms in several states. While these booms have generated significant tax revenue, they have also contributed to rising carbon dioxide emissions.
The Interior Department oversees federal lands and agencies like the National Park Service and Bureau of Land Management. Burgum succeeds Deb Haaland, who focused on scaling back oil and gas sales and promoting renewable energy projects.
Trump's energy development agenda aims to abolish environmental restrictions, with Burgum suggesting carbon capture as a solution to neutralize fossil fuel emissions. Critics argue that carbon capture technology is unproven at scale.
Republicans plan to seek changes to endangered species rules and want Burgum to support these efforts. Burgum believes federal lands can be utilized for various purposes, including recreation, logging, and energy production to boost local economies.
Overall, Burgum's confirmation signals a shift towards prioritizing fossil fuel development and energy innovation within the Interior Department.
