Sprawled across our beautiful nation, more than 500 million acres of public land are entrusted to the Department of the Interior. A nearly incomprehensible amount of natural resources rest under our feet, a testament to the rich natural heritage Americans are heir to.
This year, a man who embodies the true spirit of the American West will likely sit at the helm of those resources.
Doug Burgum, who just completed two terms as governor of North Dakota, was handpicked by President-elect Donald Trump to not only be secretary of the interior, but also to head the newly formed National Energy Council.
Burgum’s nomination signals a promising step forward for America’s energy and environmental stewardship—blending innovation, pragmatism, and a deep connection to the land.
Burgum’s roots run deep in the American West. He was born and raised in North Dakota, and his early years instilled an enduring appreciation for the natural world. Before stepping into politics, he forged a successful career in technology and business, earning widespread respect for his forward-thinking approach.
A recent E&E News profile captured his authenticity: “He wasn’t like some politicians who wear faded jeans for appearance … . This was legit. He actually wore real faded jeans and scuffed-up cowboy boots.”
But Burgum is more than a nostalgic embodiment of Americana. His record as governor demonstrates a rare ability to balance economic growth, energy innovation, and environmental responsibility.
Under his leadership, North Dakota became a model for an “all-of-the-above” energy strategy, leveraging its unique resources to produce abundant, affordable, and increasingly clean energy. Looking at Burgum’s background holistically, there’s no one more equipped to achieve American energy dominance and steward the resources across the interior.
One of his standout achievements is North Dakota’s leadership in carbon capture and storage technology. As the third-largest crude oil producer in the nation, the state has embraced cutting-edge solutions to ensure energy security and realistic decarbonization can coexist. Burgum’s administration cleared bureaucratic hurdles, granting North Dakota primacy for carbon capture wells—the first state in the nation to do so.
His ambitious declaration that North Dakota will be carbon neutral by 2030 wasn’t just talk, but a measured goal behind which the state threw its full weight.
Burgum’s pragmatic and collaborative leadership style has won praise across party lines. During his tenure, he demonstrated an ability to bridge divides, earning respect from both Republican allies and even some Democratic counterparts for his results-driven approach.
His nomination to the Department of the Interior is a no-brainer and has been met with massive support from Republican senators and even some Democrats, who have praised his approach to negotiating with the “other side.”
With Burgum at the helm of the Department of the Interior, America has the opportunity to fully unleash its energy potential, while safeguarding its natural legacy. His leadership promises not just energy dominance but a balanced, innovative approach to meeting the demands of a growing world.
The path forward is clear: Build, baby, build—not just pipelines and infrastructure, but also a future where energy security and environmental stewardship go hand in hand. Burgum is the right person to steward America’s interior.
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