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Former North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, President-elect Trump’s nominee for Secretary of the Interior, was pressed by the Senate to environmental agenda and whether their mission aligns with that of Trump, who plans to roll back many environmental rules and regulations enacted under the Biden administration.
The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee held a confirmation hearing Thursday for Burgum, a 2024 presidential nominee who was tapped to lead the department that manages public land, wildlife and natural resources.
“This is a guy who is really suited for this job,” said Sen. John Hoeven, RN.D., as he introduced Burgum, who grew up in Arthur, North Dakota.
Democrats focused their questioning on whether Burgum aligns with Trump’s stance on wind farming and electric vehicles, while Republicans asked about his commitment to forest management, increasing energy production and reviving interest in nuclear power.
Former North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum is sworn in during a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing on his nomination to be Secretary of the Interior on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC on January 16, 2025 . (Saul Loeb)
“When energy production is restricted in America, it doesn’t reduce demand. It simply shifts production to countries like Russia and Iran, whose autocratic leaders not only don’t care about the environment at all, but use their revenue from the sale of energy to fund wars against us and our allies,” Burgum said in his opening statement.
“President Trump’s vision for energy dominance will end these wars overseas and make life more affordable for every American family by reducing inflation.
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“And President Trump will achieve these goals while standing up for clean air, clean water and protecting our beautiful lands.”
The Biden administration has enacted recent policies keeping animals on the endangered species list and blocking coal mining and liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports. Burgum was asked by Republicans about his approach to those specific Biden-era policies, and he agreed they should be reevaluated.
Doug Burgum, former governor of North Dakota and nominee for U.S. Secretary of the Interior, during a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee confirmation hearing in Washington, DC, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025. (Al Drago)
Burgum told lawmakers that, if confirmed, his agenda would be anchored by two issues: national security and the economy.
“Without baseload, we’ll lose the Arms race with AI (artificial intelligence). in China,” he said.
Democratic Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, using a phrase coined by the incoming president, asked the interior candidate if he’s going to “drill, baby, drill” after he claimed Trump wants to drill in national parks.
“As part of my sworn duty, I will follow the law and I will follow the Constitution. And so you can count on that,” Burgum replied. “And I haven’t heard anything that President Trump wants to do other than advance energy production for the benefit of the American people.”
President-elect Trump recently suggested his administration could introduce a policy to block all new wind energy projects, an issue raised by Democratic Sen. Angus King of Maine, who applauded Burgum for having “the entire energy strategy before” during the hearing.
President-elect Trump speaks at AmericaFest on December 22, 2024 in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scooteri)
Asked if he would commit to current wind projects, Burgum said, “I’m not familiar with all the projects the interior has going on, but I’ll certainly look at them all.”
“President Trump has been very clear in his statements that he is concerned about the significant amount of tax incentives that have gone to some forms of energy, which have helped exacerbate this imbalance that we’re seeing right now,” Burgum said in reference to Trump’s rise. the issue of subsidies for wind energy projects.
Democratic Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada asked if Burgum would support repealing the electric vehicle credits, which Trump says could be eliminated during his next term.
“I support the economy and the markets,” Burgum responded, highlighting the costs of electric vehicles compared to zero-carbon liquid fuel.
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Republican Rep. Ryan Zinke of Montana, the former interior secretary during Trump’s first term, told Fox News he is “very confident” Burgum will be confirmed for the administration’s top job.
