President-elect Trump announced Friday that North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum (R) will take on dual roles, heading the Interior Department and coordinating energy policy across the federal government.
Trump expressed his excitement about Burgum’s appointment, stating, “I am thrilled to announce that Doug Burgum, the Governor of North Dakota, will be joining my Administration as both Secretary of the Interior and Chairman of the newly formed, and very important, National Energy Council.”
This newly established council will encompass all government departments and agencies related to the permitting, production, regulation, and transportation of American energy, Trump explained.
Burgum’s leadership in energy policy includes focus on carbon capture tech
The council’s mission, according to Trump, will focus on advancing U.S. energy dominance by cutting red tape, fostering private sector investment, and prioritizing innovation over outdated regulations.
Trump also emphasized that Burgum’s role would grant him a position on the National Security Council, further solidifying his influence in key policy discussions. Burgum is expected to play a remarkable role at Interior, where Trump envisions him as a driving force in ushering in a new “Golden Age of American Prosperity and World Peace.”
Though Burgum briefly ran for president this cycle before endorsing Trump, he had been considered a potential vice-presidential pick. The president-elect has consistently praised Burgum’s expertise in energy matters, even claiming earlier this year that Burgum “probably knows more about energy than anybody I know.”
As governor, Burgum led North Dakota, one of the top fossil-fuel producing states in the U.S., ranking third for oil production and seventh for coal. Burgum has expressed support for achieving net-zero emissions but proposed utilizing carbon capture technology to offset emissions, rather than cutting back on fossil fuel consumption.
While this technology holds promise, critics have questioned its effectiveness and raised concerns about the safety of pipelines transporting captured carbon. It was reported by CNBC that Burgum has leased farmland to oil company Continental Resources and has earned $50,000 in royalties since 2022.
Continental’s executive chairman is Harold Hamm, a well-known Trump ally and donor. Like many of Trump’s other appointees, Burgum has been a vocal supporter of the president-elect, particularly during his hush money trial.
