by Lacey Pfalz
Last updated: 11:15 AM ET, Fri January 31, 2025
The United States Senate today confirmed North Dakota politician and billionaire Doug Burgum as Secretary of the Interior, now in charge of the Department of the Interior and all its bureaus, including the National Parks Service, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Bureau of Land Management and many more.
He was chosen in large part to expand fossil fuel production in the United States and is also chair of a new National Energy Council. Some environmentalists, according to The Associated Press, have expressed alarm over potential fossil fuel production on public lands under his leadership.
The Senate vote was 79-18, with all 53 Republicans and half of Senate Democrats voting Burgum into his position. Burgum is a wealthy software industry entrepreneur and has been governor of North Dakota twice.
The U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman was quick to issue a statement following Burgum’s confirmation: “Doug Burgum is the kind of strong, results-driven leader we need to oversee our nation’s most iconic public lands—our national parks—which remain a source of deep pride and a key driver of visitation from travelers, domestically and abroad.”
“Under Secretary Burgum’s leadership, and as we look ahead to celebrations of the 250th anniversary of our great nation, we can continue to build on the success of these destinations and strengthen their role in our economy,” continued Freeman. “We look forward to working with Secretary Burgum and applaud his confirmation to this crucial role.”
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