Doug Burgum Confirmed as Interior Secretary, Faces Mixed Reactions

Doug Burgum Confirmed as Interior Secretary

The Senate confirmed Doug Burgum as the new Interior Secretary on Thursday, with a vote of 79-18. More than half of Senate Democrats joined all 53 Republicans in approving Burgum's appointment.

Burgum, a wealthy software entrepreneur from North Dakota, served two terms as the state's governor and briefly ran for president in 2023. He is a strong supporter of fossil fuel production and has been tasked by President Trump with boosting the industry.

Burgum's appointment has been met with mixed reactions. Environmentalists and some Democrats are concerned about his plans to prioritize fossil fuels over renewable energy sources, while Republicans and the energy industry have praised his commitment to energy development.

Burgum's confirmation hearing earlier this month was contentious, with Democrats accusing the Trump administration of abandoning an "all of the above" energy policy in favor of fossil fuels. Burgum defended his position, arguing that the U.S. needs to generate more electricity from sources such as coal and nuclear that can run constantly.

The Interior Department has jurisdiction over a vast amount of federal land and offshore areas, including those that produce about one-quarter of U.S. oil annually. Burgum will also oversee the National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and other subagencies.

Burgum succeeds Deb Haaland, who under President Biden sharply scaled back oil and gas sales and promoted solar and wind projects on federal lands. Trump, who made energy development a centerpiece of his first term, is again vowing to abolish restrictions on the industry that are intended to protect the environment and public health.

Burgum has suggested that carbon dioxide from fossil fuels could be captured to neutralize their contribution to global warming. However, carbon-capture skeptics say the technology is untested at scale and allows the fossil-fuel industry to continue largely unchanged even as climate change becomes increasingly urgent.

During Haaland's tenure at the Interior Department, officials also reversed actions taken during Trump's first term that weakened protections for imperiled species while making it easier for private developers to pursue projects on public lands. Republicans in Congress have said they plan to again seek changes to rules on endangered species and they want Burgum to help.

Burgum says federal lands can be used for many purposes including recreation, logging, and oil and gas production that can lift local economies. "Not every acre of federal land is a national park or a wilderness area," he told lawmakers.