Burgum DOI Nomination Hearing Statement

The Senate held a confirmation hearing for Doug Burgum, President Trump's nominee to lead the Department of the Interior.

The following is a statement from Andrew Wetzler, senior vice president for Nature at NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council):

"Secretary of the Interior is a hugely important job, the person chiefly responsible for protecting America's most special places and natural heritage. While Doug Burgum presented himself today as a pragmatic governor with his eyes on the future, though we have serious concerns about his stated commitment to expanding oil, coal and gas production on our public lands. Governor Burgum needs to help President-Elect Trump understand the critical importance of protecting our public lands, waters, and wildlife.

"Unfortunately, his comments were heavily weighted towards fossil fuel production. Governor Burgum will need to better address cultural, recreational, and renewable energy policies on public lands, as well as the protection of wildlife and endangered species, if he is to fulfill the department's mission. As the new energy czar responsible for carrying out the President-elect's 'energy dominance' agenda, I also hope Burgum brings the same openness to clean energy as he did as Governor of North Dakota-which gets 30% of its power from wind."