President-elect Donald Trump has nominated North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum to lead the Department of the Interior, a key position with significant influence over public lands in Nevada, where more than 80% of the land is federally controlled.
Alongside this, Burgum will also chair the newly established National Energy Council, which will oversee all forms of American energy production and regulation, from oil and gas to renewable energy.
Burgum’s appointment signals a strong push for oil and gas development, potentially overshadowing efforts by the Biden administration to promote renewable energy. Environmental groups have already voiced concerns, criticizing Burgum’s ties to the oil industry.
Jennifer Rokala, Executive Director of the Center for Western Priorities, warned that Burgum’s lack of experience with public lands could lead to increased drilling and reduced protections for national parks and monuments.
Evergreen Action also accused him of being too aligned with fossil fuel interests, highlighting his role in facilitating a fundraising scheme for Trump’s campaign.
Despite this criticism, Burgum, who was elected North Dakota governor in 2016, has expressed support for climate action but advocates for carbon capture technology to offset fossil fuel emissions rather than reducing fossil fuel use. His record includes tax cuts for oil companies and support for the energy industry in his home state, which ranks third in oil production and seventh in coal production.
The shift in energy policy is likely to focus on oil and gas production, reversing Biden-era priorities centered on renewable energy development. With Trump’s emphasis on energy dominance, including expanding fossil fuel extraction, Burgum’s leadership could reshape federal land management policies.
His nomination has already sparked a debate over the future of public lands, tax policies related to energy extraction, and the broader environmental impact.