President-elect Donald Trump tapped North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum on Friday to fill a new position coordinating energy policy that could give him sweeping influence over a range of federal agencies.
While also officially announcing Burgum’s selection as the nominee to lead the Interior Department, Trump in a statement Friday said Burgum would be named chair of a newly created National Energy Council — essentially an “energy czar” role guiding various agencies with energy responsibilities. Trump first revealed Burgum would be his Interior pick Thursday night at a gala for the America First Policy Institute.
The two roles could give Burgum, an all-of-the-above energy governor who supports carbon capture to address carbon emissions, tremendous sway over energy issues across the federal government, in addition to his broad authority over public lands and the federal oil, gas and coal programs as Interior secretary.
Trump said in a statement that Burgum’s authority will extend to “all Departments and Agencies involved in the permitting, production, generation, distribution, regulation, transportation, of ALL forms of American Energy.”
Trump wrote: “This Council will oversee the path to U.S. ENERGY DOMINANCE by cutting red tape, enhancing private sector investments across all sectors of the Economy, and by focusing on INNOVATION over longstanding, but totally unnecessary, regulation.”
The president-elect also said his energy agenda will cut inflation, “win the A.I. arms race with China” and expand U.S. diplomatic “Power to end Wars all across the World.” As part of the energy council role, Burgum would have a seat on the National Security Council.
The energy role — helping Trump cut regulations that slow down energy development or limit fossil fuel production —could be one of a suite of policy “czars” in Trump’s administration. Some experts have suggested the roles demonstrate Trump’s plan to centralize power at the White House and circumvent potential bureaucratic hurdles to Trump’s priorities from federal agencies.
Burgum was a software executive, before being elected governor of North Dakota in 2016 following a primary upset. He had no energy sector experience under his belt, but state insiders say he was a quick study of the industry, which helps undergird the North Dakota economy.
Erik Milito, president of the National Ocean Industries Association, said in a statement that Burgum has a “proven track record” from North Dakota advocating for “energy policies that prioritize domestic production and streamline regulations.”
“His deep understanding of American energy resources and public lands positions him to tackle critical issues such as enhancing energy affordability, alleviating inflation, creating high-paying jobs, and strengthening the U.S. in the global energy marketplace,” Milito said.
Some conservation groups have pledged to work with Burgum on public land issues.
“Governor Burgum is a proven leader with experience in a rural Western state that makes him equipped for the job of Interior secretary,” said Joel Pedersen, the president and CEO of the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. “He’s a friend of the hunting and fishing community, and we look forward to working with him in this important role.”
But Burgum’s friendliness to oil and gas has sparked pushback since his nomination from many environmental groups and leading Democrats, with opponents fearing Burgum will help Trump carry out a fossil fuel free for all on public lands.
“They are laying the groundwork to open our public lands and tribal lands to massive exploitation by mining and oil and gas companies,” said Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), the ranking member on the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.
They are going to do “exactly what Donald Trump promised, which is to drill, baby, drill and mine, baby, mine,” she said.
Reporter Jennifer Yachnin contributed.
