Trump appoints Interior candidate Doug Burgum to head the new White House Energy Council

WASHINGTON – President-elect Donald Trump announced Friday that North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, whom he has chosen to lead the Department of the Interior, will also lead a newly created National Energy Council that will seek to strengthen America’s “energy dominance” to be established all over the world.

In his new role, Burgum will oversee a panel made up of all executive agencies involved in energy licensing, production, generation, distribution, regulation and transportation, Trump said in a statement. As chairman of the National Energy Council, Burgum will have a seat on the National Security Council, Trump said.

“This Council will oversee the path to America’s energy dominance by cutting red tape, increasing private sector investment across all sectors of the economy, and focusing on INNOVATION rather than longstanding, but totally unnecessary regulation,” Trump wrote.

The Republican president-elect accused the “radical left” of engaging in a war on American energy in the name of fighting climate change. His policy of energy dominance, which he also embraced during his first term, will allow the US to sell oil, gas and other forms of energy to European allies, making the world a safer place, Trump said.

Trump’s policies, if adopted, would mark a near-complete reversal from the actions of Democratic President Joe Biden, who has made combating climate change a top priority and pushing for more electric vehicles And stricter regulation of carbon pollution from coal-fired power stations. Trump has promised to withdraw unused funds Biden’s historic climate and healthcare law And stop the development of offshore wind energy when he returns to the White House in January.

Trump, who has called oil “liquid gold,” said oil and natural gas, along with minerals such as lithium and copper, should be exploited as much as possible. “We will expand ‘DRILL BABY DRILL’, ALL forms of energy production. to grow our economy and create good-paying jobs,” Trump wrote.

Burgum, 68, was elected governor of North Dakota in 2016, his first campaign for elected office. A former software executive, he led Great Plains Software, which Microsoft acquired for $1.1 billion in 2001. Burgum has also led other real estate development and venture capital companies.

Burgum, a Republican, has adopted a pro-business style as governor of a state where agriculture and oil are the top industries. He is pushed income tax cuts, reduced regulations and changes in livestock farming laws the administration of higher education. Burgum also emphasized a “data-driven” approach to governing, advocating for one Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in the state and prioritized engagement with tribal nations.

He ran for president in 2023, but fell out after his offer failed to gain traction. He later supported Trump.

Industry groups welcomed Burgum to the new administration, saying Trump’s creation of an energy council signaled a renewed emphasis on boosting domestic manufacturing and streamlining regulations.

Burgum’s “deep knowledge of U.S. energy resources and public lands positions him to address critical issues such as improving energy affordability … and strengthening the U.S. in the global energy market,” said Erik Milito, president of National Ocean Industries Association, which promotes Milito is a former vice president of the American Petroleum Institute, the industry’s largest lobbying group.

David Seabrook, president of The Wilderness Society, called Burgum “a longtime friend of fossil fuel interests,” who played a role at an April event at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort, where Trump reportedly asked industry leaders and lobbyists to donate $1 billion to his campaignwith the expectation that if re-elected he would restrict environmental regulations.

“The first Trump administration treated (public lands) as if they were intended to be dug up, drilled or sold for profit,” Seabrook said. which path they will take this time.”

Earlier Friday, Trump announced that Steven Cheung will serve as White House communications director and Sergio Gor will lead the human resources office. Both are long-time advisors.

Cheung led communications for Trump’s last campaign, where he earned a reputation for combative and insulting attacks on Republican opponents. A native of Sacramento, California, he worked in Republican politics and for the Ultimate Fighting Championship before joining Trump’s team in 2016.

Gor led Winning Team Publishing, which he co-founded with Donald Trump Jr. founded. The company has published books by Trump and his allies. Gor also led the super PAC Right for America.