Former North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum is set to appear before a Senate committee on Thursday for consideration as the nominee for chief steward of U.S. public lands and waters. President-elect Donald Trump nominated Burgum in November to serve as interior secretary and lead the new National Energy Council, tasked with promoting energy development, including oil and gas.
The Interior Department oversees a significant portion of federal land and offshore areas, responsible for about one-quarter of U.S. oil production annually. This has made it a focal point in the ongoing debate surrounding climate change.
