Trump Appoints North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum to Lead New Energy Council

AFP | Washington, United States

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

US President-elect Donald Trump announced Friday that North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum will lead a newly formed National Energy Council, in addition to his role as Secretary of the Interior. The National Energy Council will oversee all aspects of American energy, including permitting, production, generation, distribution, regulation, and transportation of various energy sources.

In a statement, Trump emphasized that the council’s mission is to drive US energy dominance by eliminating bureaucratic obstacles, encouraging private sector investments, and prioritizing innovation over regulation. The move is part of Trump’s broader agenda to strengthen the country’s energy sector, particularly oil and gas production.

Burgum’s appointment to head the council will also grant him a seat on the National Security Council, though it remains unclear if the council will be based in the White House.

Trump aims to expand all forms of energy production and restore the US’s “fabulous Oil and Gas advantage,” aligning with his pledge to reverse the green policies implemented by his Democratic predecessor, President Joe Biden. During his campaign, Trump repeatedly vowed to “unleash” the US oil sector by ramping up production and scaling back Biden’s push for renewable energy.

Critics have raised concerns about the potential environmental impact of Trump’s energy policies. Experts warn that a second Trump term could stall the transition to green energy and hinder the achievement of long-term climate goals.

Burgum’s appointment to the Interior Department has already drawn criticism from environmental groups. Lena Moffitt, Executive Director of Evergreen Action, called the nomination “a reward for prioritizing fossil fuel interests over the American people.” She expressed concerns that Burgum could turn the agency into a tool for fossil fuel corporations to exploit public resources.