- Doug Burgum sworn in as 55th Secretary of the Interior.
- Six Secretary’s Orders target American energy independence.
- Post-2026 Colorado River operations remain a key challenge.
February 4, 2025 — Doug Burgum officially became the 55th Secretary of the Interior on Friday afternoon. In remarks offered upon his swearing-in
, he said, “Grateful to President Trump for the honor to serve as Secretary of the Interior. We look forward to delivering on President Trump’s vision for Energy Dominance – which is the foundation of American prosperity, affordability for American families, unrivaled national security, and world peace.
Burgum stressed his commitment to protecting the nation’s natural landscapes while enhancing responsible energy development. As he put it:
We will achieve Energy Dominance by sustainably developing our natural resources while championing clean air and clean water, protecting our most beautiful lands, and expanding outdoor recreation!
We will treat our natural resources as national assets, which are for the benefit and use of the American people.
Building on Tribal Partnerships.
Secretary Burgum underscored his intention to continue fostering relationships with tribal nations, writing, “In North Dakota, we share geography with five sovereign tribal nations. The current partnership is historically strong because we prioritized tribal engagement through mutual respect, open communication, collaboration, and a sincere willingness to listen. At Interior, we will strengthen our commitment to enhancing the quality of life, promoting economic opportunities, and empowering our tribal partners through those principles.”
Six Secretary’s Orders.
On February 3, Secretary Burgum signed six Secretary’s Orders intended to bolster domestic energy production and reduce regulatory hurdles. In a statement, he said:
Today marks the beginning of an exciting chapter for the Department of the Interior. We are committed to working collaboratively to unlock America’s full potential in energy dominance and economic development to make life more affordable for every American family while showing the world the power of America’s natural resources and innovation. Together, we will ensure that our policies reflect the needs of our communities, respect tribal sovereignty, and drive innovation that will keep the U.S. at the forefront of energy and environmental leadership.
Among other measures, these orders call for identifying legal authorities to ease energy permitting, boosting critical mineral production, lifting certain Outer Continental Shelf leasing restrictions, and promoting deregulation. The steps are presented as part of President Trump’s energy agenda to strengthen American energy independence and lower costs for consumers.
Post-2026 Colorado River Operations.
Looking ahead, the Department of the Interior faces a major undertaking with the pending expiration of several agreements and guidelines governing the Colorado River. A multi-year process under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) is already under way to determine how Lake Powell, Lake Mead, and related water management strategies will operate after 2026. These decisions will have lasting effects on water supply, environmental management, and interstate and international relations in the Colorado River Basin.
Leave a Reply