North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum has been selected by President-elect Trump to oversee the Interior Department, which manages public lands and waterways across the country.
Trump also announced that Burgum would head a newly established “national energy council” tasked with overseeing energy-related activities such as permitting, production, regulation, and transportation.
Burgum is set to take on the challenge of advancing Trump’s campaign pledge to expand energy production. If confirmed, his role will involve managing both onshore and offshore drilling operations.
Burgum’s carbon capture focus sparks debate on climate and energy policies
Aligning with Trump’s vision for “American energy dominance,” Burgum is likely to promote increased drilling opportunities on public lands and offshore, though the execution of such efforts will depend on private companies’ willingness to invest.
Hailing from North Dakota, a leading state in oil and coal production, Burgum has been a staunch advocate for these energy sectors. He has also reportedly benefited financially from the oil and gas industry, including leasing farmland to Continental Resources, a company chaired by Trump ally Harold Hamm.
While he has supported initiatives to address climate change, Burgum has avoided proposals that move away from fossil fuels. Instead, his approach relies on carbon capture and storage technologies to reduce emissions without disrupting fossil fuel production. Critics question the viability and safety of such technologies, even as they gain support among Republicans and the Biden administration.
Burgum was briefly considered as a potential vice-presidential pick for Trump after ending his own Republican primary bid. Despite endorsing Trump and appearing at campaign events, the position went to Ohio Senator JD Vance.
Before his political career, Burgum was a tech industry leader, having sold his company, Great Plains Software, to Microsoft, where he later served as a senior executive. He also founded ventures in real estate and capital investments.
As head of the Interior Department, Burgum will manage millions of acres of federal lands, primarily in the West. This includes overseeing decisions on energy production, conservation, recreation, and the protection of endangered species, as well as working with tribal communities through the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
Burgum’s nomination is considered less polarizing compared to Trump’s other choices, though environmental groups remain divided. While some criticize his close ties to the fossil fuel industry, others express cautious optimism about his track record in wildlife management and pollution reduction.
In addition to leading the Interior Department, Burgum will chair the newly created National Energy Council. This body aims to streamline regulations, encourage private investment, and prioritize innovation in the energy sector. He will also serve on the White House National Security Council, further integrating energy policies with national security objectives.
