Former North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Interior Department secretary, waits for the beginning of a confirmation hearing before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee at Dirksen Senate Office Building on Jan. 16, 2025, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON — Former North Dakota Republican Gov. Doug Burgum on Thursday got a step closer to securing his spot as secretary of the Department of the Interior following a rather breezy confirmation hearing before a U.S. Senate panel.

Burgum made it clear he’s on board with President-elect Donald Trump’s pledges to spur domestic energy and gas production. Speaking to members of the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, Burgum said the “American people have clearly placed their confidence in President Trump to achieve energy dominance.”

“And by energy dominance, that’s the foundation of American prosperity, affordability for American families and unrivaled national security,” he said.

Trump tapped the wealthy businessman to lead Interior, whose wide portfolio includes the protection and management of public lands and fulfilling federal trust responsibilities to tribal nations.

Climate policy and the energy transition have come to the forefront of the department, which has a roughly $18 billion budget.

If confirmed by the GOP-controlled Senate, which appears likely, Burgum would succeed Deb Haaland, who made history as the first Native American to serve as a Cabinet secretary.

Burgum, elected to two terms as North Dakota’s governor, dropped his bid for the Republican presidential nomination in 2023 before backing Trump.

‘Drill, baby, drill’

Trump will take a “drill, baby, drill” approach to oil and gas production throughout his second term.

The incoming president also vowed to reverse President Joe Biden’s decision earlier in January to prohibit future oil and gas drilling off the entire East and West coasts, the eastern Gulf of Mexico and the remaining portions of Alaska’s Northern Bering Sea.

When Trump chose Burgum as Interior secretary nominee in November, he  announced that the North Dakota Republican would also lead the new National Energy Council. Trump said the council will “consist of all Departments and Agencies involved in the permitting, production, generation, distribution, regulation, transportation, of ALL forms of American Energy.”

Burgum touted his record to the panel in leading North Dakota, noting that his “time as governor has been a valuable preparation for the opportunity and the privilege to potentially serve (in) the role as secretary of Interior, as our state and my duty, specifically as governor there, put me in contact with many of the bureaus inside the department.”

If confirmed, he would be tasked with the department’s Bureau of Indian Affairs.

“State and tribal relationships in North Dakota have sometimes been challenged, but the current partnership is historically strong because we prioritize tribal engagement through mutual respect, open communication, collaboration and a sincere willingness to listen,” he said, noting that the state shares geography with five sovereign tribal nations.

‘America’s balance sheet’

Senators from both sides of the aisle focused questions on how his efforts would affect their respective states when it comes to: housing shortages across the West where there are federal lands; staying true to conservation history; working with the administration to increase natural gas production and new export terminals; and federal disaster aid, especially in light of the devastating California wildfires.

At one point during the hearing, Burgum noted that “not every acre of federal land is a national park or a wilderness area.”

“Some of those areas we have to absolutely protect for their precious stuff, but the rest of it, this is America’s balance sheet,” he said.

“This agency, the Department of the Interior, has got close to 500 million acres of surface, 700 million acres of subsurface and over 2 billion acres of offshore — 2 billion — that’s the balance sheet of America, and if we were a company, they would look at us and say, ‘Wow, you are really restricting your balance sheet.’”

Questioned about the existence of climate change, Burgum said he believes that “climate change is a global phenomenon for sure.”

North Dakota GOP Sens. John Hoeven and Kevin Cramer praised Burgum’s record and qualifications for the post.

Cramer said “one of the things that oftentimes maybe doesn’t get talked about with (former) Gov. Burgum is: He’s not just an oil man from an oil and gas-producing state, he is — first and foremost — a conservationist.”

West Virginia GOP Sen. Jim Justice also lauded Burgum, saying: “If anybody is the pick of the litter, it’s got to be this man.”

Concern among environmental advocates

Burgum has faced scrutiny for his ties to fossil fuel companies, and environmental advocacy groups have voiced concerns over his nomination.

Jennifer Rokala, executive director of the Center for Western Priorities, said Burgum “appears eager to use America’s public lands to exacerbate the climate crisis while invoking made-up concepts like ‘clean coal’ to justify his real aim — enriching oil and mining billionaires while raising energy prices for American consumers and businesses,” per a Thursday statement.

He is also reported to have a close relationship with billionaire Harold Hamm, the founder and executive chairman of Continental Resources — a major oil and gas company.

According to reporting by the North Dakota Monitor and ProPublica, Burgum voted roughly 20 times on the North Dakota Industrial Commission regarding oil and gas companies that involve him. 

Secretary of State Sarah Godlewski and state Treasurer John Lieber present a large check to educators to represent the $70 million disbursement from the Common School Fund to public school libraries across state. (Courtesy of Secretary of State Sarah Godlewski)

Wisconsin school libraries and media resources will receive a record $70 million in funding from the Board of Commissioners of Public Land, Secretary of State Sarah Godlewski announced Thursday. 

The agency’s contribution from the Common School Fund breaks the record for largest ever provided, which was set last year when the BCPL provided $65 million from the fund. 

“I’m proud of our record-breaking distribution. It comes at a time when schools are being asked to do more with less, and our strategic investments and collaborative efforts are making a difference to ensure that every student—no matter where they live—has access to the books, technology, and tools they need to succeed,” Godlewski said in a statement.

The BCPL manages state trust funds created as Wisconsin sold off millions of acres of land granted to the state government in the 19th century. The agency also manages timber sales for 77,000 acres of land still under state control. 

The Common School Fund is the “only dedicated funding source for many of Wisconsin’s public school libraries,” according to a news release. The amount of funds provided to school libraries through the fund has substantially increased in recent years. In 2020, libraries received $38.2 million through the fund. 

“Today’s milestone reflects the dedication of our team and the strategic investments we’ve made to ensure the fund continues to grow for future generations,” Godlewski said. “We’ve diversified hundreds of millions of dollars to include Wisconsin-based venture funds that support new and growing businesses. This is a win-win for our state: the Common School Fund bolsters Wisconsin’s economy, and the financial returns directly support our schools and libraries, reinforcing our commitment to educational excellence and opportunity.”

At an event in Brown Deer Thursday afternoon, Godlewski, state Treasurer John Leiber and educators celebrated the learning resources the money will be able to provide. 

“Without the support from the common school funds, many school libraries would not have the necessary resources to stay up-to-date and provide the digital resources necessary for our students’ continued learning. The BCPL work ensures that these schools are not left behind, and that all students in Wisconsin, no matter their background, have access to the educational opportunities they deserve,” said Wisconsin Educational Media and Technology Association President Jennifer Griffith.

Funds disbursed through the BCPL have been criticized in recent years because the land provided to the state by the federal government in the 1800s was taken from the state’s Native American tribes. 

In February, data collected by the non-profit media outlet Grist showed that funds disbursed through the BCPL’s Normal School Fund to the state’s public universities came from profits made from land taken largely from the Ojibwe tribe, the Wisconsin Examiner reported.