Peace Garden News

North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum will join the Trump Administration as Secretary of the Interior and Chairman of the newly established National Energy Council, overseeing U.S. energy strategy to achieve energy dominance. This initiative aims to cut regulations, boost private investments, drive economic growth, and strengthen national security by expanding energy production and innovation.

“I’m deeply grateful to President Donald Trump for this amazing opportunity to serve the American people and achieve energy dominance!” Bugrum wrote in a Nov. 15 social media post on X. 

In a public statement, President-elect Donald Trump outlined the objectives of the National Energy Council. The Council, according to Trump, will unify efforts across all departments and agencies related to energy, including production, regulation, and distribution, with a focus on reducing regulatory barriers and fostering innovation.

“With U.S. energy dominance, we will drive down inflation, win the A.I. arms race with China (and others), and expand American diplomatic power to end wars all across the World,” Trump said.

Trump emphasized that energy dominance would not only bolster the U.S. economy but also serve geopolitical interests, allowing America to supply energy to allies and reduce dependence on adversarial nations. He criticized what he described as the "Radical Left’s War on American energy," stating that this policy shift would make the world safer and more secure.

The administration plans to increase baseload power to stabilize the national electrical grid, which it claims has been damaged by current Democratic policies. Trump highlighted the potential to lower electricity costs, ensure reliable power supply, and maintain competitiveness in areas such as artificial intelligence, which he linked to national security.

As Chair of the National Energy Council, Burgum will hold a seat on the National Security Council, where he is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping U.S. energy and national security strategy. His position as Secretary of the Interior will also make him a central figure in resource management and conservation efforts. Trump outlined a vision of a “Golden Age of American Prosperity” through the utilization of domestic resources, including oil, gas, and minerals, to drive economic growth and job creation.

“Doug Burgum will protect our nation’s natural resources, restore our fabulous oil and gas advantage, and make America, and its energy, dominant and great again!” Trump said.

Doug Burgum has served as the Governor of North Dakota since 2016. A native of the state, Burgum's career began in the private sector, where he made his mark as a technology entrepreneur. After transitioning to public service, Burgum has focused on economic development, energy policy, and technological innovation within North Dakota, often emphasizing the need for balanced growth that respects both the environment and the state's energy sector.