Doug Burgum, the former North Dakota governor, pledges to boost energy production in his confirmation hearing for Interior Secretary.
Washington: So, Doug Burgum, the ex-governor of North Dakota, is on the verge of becoming the Secretary of the Interior. He had a pretty smooth confirmation hearing with the Senate. He’s all in on Trump’s plan to ramp up energy production in the U.S.
During the hearing, Burgum told the Senate Committee that Americans trust Trump to lead the way in achieving energy dominance. He believes this is key for the country’s prosperity and security.
Trump picked Burgum for this role because the Interior Department manages a lot of public lands and has responsibilities toward tribal nations. If he gets confirmed, he’ll take over from Deb Haaland, the first Native American in a Cabinet position.
Burgum, who served two terms as governor, had previously dropped out of the presidential race to support Trump. He’s ready to push for a “drill, baby, drill” strategy for oil and gas production.
Trump also plans to undo Biden’s ban on drilling in certain coastal areas. When he announced Burgum’s nomination, he mentioned that Burgum would also lead a new National Energy Council to coordinate energy efforts across various departments.
Burgum shared how his experience as governor prepared him for this role. He emphasized the importance of strong relationships with tribal nations in North Dakota, which is home to several tribes.
During the hearing, senators asked him about various issues, including housing shortages and conservation efforts. Burgum pointed out that not all federal land is a national park and that some areas need to be managed for economic benefit.
He acknowledged climate change as a global issue but faced some skepticism from environmental groups. Critics worry that his ties to fossil fuel companies could harm public lands and increase energy costs for consumers.
Despite the concerns, some senators praised his qualifications, highlighting that he’s not just an oil man but also a conservationist at heart.
