Trump nominates Doug Burgum as energy council chair

President-elect Donald Trump has nominated North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum as U.S. Secretary of the Interior and chairman of the newly created National Energy Council. 

Burgum expressed gratitude for the nomination, emphasizing the importance of balancing resource development with environmental stewardship while strengthening relationships with tribal nations, landowners, and energy developers.

As chairman of the National Energy Council, Burgum will lead efforts to coordinate federal energy policies, focusing on innovation and the expansion of U.S. energy production. He highlighted the council’s role in fostering energy independence and economic growth while supporting national security by reducing reliance on adversarial energy sources.

If confirmed, Burgum will be the first North Dakotan to lead a U.S. Cabinet agency since Ed Schafer served as Secretary of Agriculture in 2008.