Doug Burgum, a longtime fossil fuel advocate, has been confirmed as Interior Secretary, giving him control over millions of acres of public lands and offshore waters with a mandate to expand oil and gas drilling.
Lisa Friedman reports for The New York Times.
In short:
- Burgum, former North Dakota governor and oil industry ally, was confirmed by the Senate in a 79-18 vote to lead the Interior Department, overseeing public lands, tribal lands and national parks.
- He played a key role in connecting Trump with fossil fuel executives during the campaign and is expected to push policies that weaken environmental protections while ramping up domestic drilling and exports.
- While Republicans praised his stance on “energy dominance,” critics warned that his policies could accelerate climate change and undermine conservation efforts.
Key quote:
“The Trump administration’s climate and energy policies are not a mystery; it is to exacerbate the climate crisis.”
— Senator Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii
Why this matters:
Federal land production already accounts for nearly 22% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, and under Burgum, that number is likely to climb. His tenure will test just how far the U.S. is willing to lean into fossil fuels — even as the planet pushes back with record-breaking heat, floods and wildfires.
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