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Doug Burgum was confirmed as U.S. interior secretary late Thursday after the Senate voted 79-18 in favor of his nomination. The North Dakota billionaire and former governor, tapped by President Donald Trump to lead the Interior Department, is expected to prioritize fossil fuel production as part of Trump’s broader push for American “energy dominance.”
More than half of Senate Democrats joined all 53 Republicans in supporting Burgum, despite concerns from environmentalists and some lawmakers over his stance on energy development. His confirmation marks a significant shift in U.S. energy policy, as he replaces former Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, who had scaled back oil and gas leases and promoted renewable energy on public lands.
Burgum, 68, is a software industry entrepreneur who grew up in a small farming town in North Dakota. As a two-term governor of that state, he supported the energy industry while personally leasing family land to oil companies. Now, as interior secretary, he will oversee nearly 500 million acres of federal land, offshore drilling operations, and key agencies such as the National Park Service and the Bureau of Land Management.
Trump has also appointed Burgum to chair the newly formed National Energy Council, giving him a seat on the National Security Council—an unprecedented move for an interior secretary. His primary mission will be to ease regulations for oil and gas companies.
During his confirmation hearing, Burgum defended fossil fuel development, arguing that energy expansion strengthens national security and lowers consumer costs. He criticized the reliability of renewable energy sources championed under the Biden administration and advocated for increased coal and nuclear power production.
“We need an energy policy that makes America stronger, not weaker,” Burgum told lawmakers. “Oil, gas, and coal are essential to our energy independence and economic growth.”
His stance drew opposition from Democrats who accused the Trump administration of sidelining clean energy initiatives. Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI) criticized the new administration for “deliberately suppressing offshore wind energy” to boost fossil fuel demand.
Republican lawmakers praised Burgum’s nomination, emphasizing his pro-business approach. Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY) lauded Burgum’s commitment to “unlocking America’s energy potential” and cutting regulatory red tape.
Burgum has also promoted carbon capture technology as a way to offset fossil fuel emissions. However, critics argue the technology remains unproven at scale and serves as an excuse for continued reliance on fossil fuels.
Under Haaland, the Interior Department reversed Trump-era policies that weakened environmental protections. Now, with Burgum at the helm, Republicans in Congress aim to reinstate those changes, particularly regarding endangered species protections and federal land use.
“Not every acre of federal land is a national park or a wilderness area,” Burgum said. “We can balance conservation with responsible energy production.”
His confirmation signals a dramatic policy shift, favoring deregulation and expanded oil and gas drilling. Environmental groups have vowed to fight any rollback of protections, setting the stage for legal battles over America’s energy future.
