Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, recently confirmed and sworn into office, has swiftly implemented a series of significant orders aligning with President Donald Trump's energy policies. Burgum, the former governor of North Dakota, has made his priorities clear through six secretarial orders signed in his first days on the job.
One of the most notable orders is titled "Addressing the National Energy Emergency," which reflects Trump's declaration of an energy crisis on January 20. This order directs all bureaus and offices within the Department of the Interior to identify and utilize emergency authorities to facilitate the development, production, and transportation of domestic energy resources and critical minerals, particularly on federal lands and the Outer Continental Shelf. The focus is on expediting infrastructure, energy, and natural resources projects, including those related to oil, gas, and other mineral resources[1][4].
Burgum's orders also aim to reverse several key policies from the Biden administration. For instance, he has initiated a review of public land protections, which could lead to revisions in national monument boundaries and the reconsideration of the Conservation and Landscape Health Rule. This rule, introduced in 2023, sought to place conservation on equal footing with energy development, grazing, and other uses of public lands. However, it has faced strong opposition from congressional Republicans who argue it violates the Bureau of Land Management's multiple-use mandate[1].
Another significant move involves the reversal of a Biden-era legal opinion that held mining and other companies responsible for unintentional deaths of migratory birds. Burgum's orders also halt the implementation of any remaining Biden-era executive orders on climate and environmental justice, which were aimed at alleviating the burden of pollution on low-income communities[1].
Burgum has also ordered an agency-wide investigation to identify regulations and policies that contribute to higher costs for the American people. He has instructed his top officials to ensure that policies do not favor renewable energy projects over oil, gas, or other mineral resource projects. This aligns with Trump's vision for "Energy Dominance," which emphasizes fossil fuels as the foundation of American prosperity, affordability, and national security[1][3][4].
The new secretary's actions have been met with both support and criticism. Environmental groups, such as the Wilderness Society, have expressed concern that these orders signal a threat to America's public lands, monuments, and wild places. Conversely, supporters see these moves as necessary to boost domestic energy production and reduce energy costs[1].
Burgum's leadership at the Department of the Interior marks a significant shift in policy direction, emphasizing the development of fossil fuel resources and critical minerals while potentially rolling back conservation and environmental protections established by the previous administration. As he continues to implement Trump's energy executive orders, the impact on public lands, energy policy, and environmental regulations is likely to be profound.
