Former North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, President-elect Trump’s nominee for inside secretary, used to be pressed via the Senate on his environmental agenda and whether or not his venture aligns with that of Trump, who plans to overturn many environmental regulations and laws enacted beneath the Biden management.
A affirmation listening to used to be held via the Senate Power and Herbal Sources Committee Thursday for Burgum, a 2024 presidential candidate who used to be tapped to guide the dep. that manages public land, natural world and herbal assets.
“It is a man who truly suits this process,” Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., stated as he presented Burgum, who grew up in Arthur, North Dakota.
Democrats targeted their wondering on whether or not Burgum aligns with Trump’s stance on wind farming and electrical automobiles, whilst Republicans requested about his dedication to wooded area control, expanding power manufacturing and resurrecting hobby in nuclear power.
Former North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum is sworn in throughout a Senate Power and Herbal Sources Committee listening to on his nomination to be secretary of the inner on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., Jan. 16, 2025. (Saul Loeb)
“When power manufacturing is specific in The united states, it does not cut back call for. It simply shifts manufacturing to nations like Russia and Iran, whose autocratic leaders now not simplest do not care in any respect in regards to the surroundings, however they use their revenues from power gross sales to fund wars in opposition to us and our allies,” Burgum stated in his opening remark.
“President Trump’s power dominance imaginative and prescient will finish the ones wars in another country and can make lifestyles extra inexpensive for each circle of relatives in The united states via riding down inflation.
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“And President Trump will succeed in the ones targets whilst championing blank air, blank water and protective our stunning lands.”
The Biden management has enacted fresh insurance policies preserving animals at the endangered species listing and blocking off coal mining and liquefied herbal fuel exports (LNG). Republicans requested Burgum about his technique to those particular Biden-era insurance policies, which he agreed are insurance policies that are meant to be reevaluated.
Doug Burgum, the previous governor of North Dakota and nominee for U.S. secretary of the inner, throughout a Senate Power and Herbal Sources Committee affirmation listening to in Washington, D.C., Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025. (Al Drago)
Burgum instructed lawmakers that, if showed, his time table could be anchored via two problems — nationwide safety and the financial system.
“With out baseload, we are going to lose the AI (artificial intelligence) arms race to China,” he stated.
Democratic Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, the usage of a word coined via the incoming president, requested the inner nominee if he’s going to “drill, child, drill” after claiming Trump needs to drill in nationwide parks.
“As a part of my sworn responsibility, I’m going to observe the regulation and observe the Charter. And so you’ll rely on that,” Burgum answered. “And I’ve now not heard of the rest about President Trump in need of to do the rest rather than advancing power manufacturing for the advantage of the American other folks.”
President-elect Trump recently suggested his management may just introduce coverage to dam all new wind power tasks, a subject raised via Democratic Sen. Angus King of Maine, who applauded Burgum for having “all the above power technique” throughout the listening to.
President-elect Trump speaks at AmericaFest Dec. 22, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photograph/Rick Scuteri)
Requested if he’ll decide to present wind tasks, Burgum stated, “I am not conversant in each mission that the inner has underway, however I’m going to surely be having a look in any respect of the ones.”
“President Trump’s been very transparent in his statements that he is involved in regards to the important quantity of tax incentives that experience long past against some kinds of power, that experience helped exacerbate this imbalance that we are seeing presently,” Burgum stated in connection with Trump elevating the problem of subsidies for wind power tasks.
Democratic Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada requested if Burgum would toughen repealing credit for electrical automobiles, which might reportedly be axed via Trump throughout his upcoming time period.
“I toughen economics and markets,” Burgum answered, highlighting the prices of EVs in comparison to liquid gasoline with 0 carbon.
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Republican Rep. Ryan Zinke of Montana, the previous secretary of inside throughout Trump’s first time period, instructed Fox Information he’s “very assured” Burgum shall be showed for the highest management put up.
