The US Senate has confirmed Doug Burgum, the former Governor of North Dakota, as the new Interior Secretary under President Trump's administration. This decision, backed by a significant majority of 79 to 18, installs Burgum at the helm of the US National Parks, where he is expected to facilitate further oil exploration, a move that aligns with the administration's broader energy policies.
In addition to his role as Interior Secretary, Burgum will also head the newly established National Energy Council. He is tasked with expanding energy production across various forms, aiming to restore the US's competitive advantage in oil and gas. This new position does not require Senate confirmation.
Burgum's confirmation comes at a pivotal time as Trump seeks to reshape US climate policy, notably withdrawing from the Paris Climate Agreement. While Trump has been vocal in his skepticism of human-induced climate change, Burgum acknowledges it as a scientific reality and had previously proposed ambitious plans for climate neutrality during his tenure as governor.
Despite his previous support for the energy sector, including leasing family land to oil companies, Burgum's acknowledgment of climate change sets him apart from other members of the administration. His dual roles in energy and interior affairs signal a potential shift in how the US might balance energy expansion with environmental concerns under his leadership.
