Then-North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum speaks during a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee confirmation hearing in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025. (Al Drago)
In a press release issued on Monday, Burgum announced the department's first initiatives.
The DOI pledged to expedite the completion of all authorized infrastructure and environmental projects to address the National Energy Emergency, which was declared by Trump on Inauguration Day.
‘SCREAM NIGHT’: CLIMATE ACTIVISTS REPEATEDLY DISRUPT DNC LEADERSHIP MEETING
The department will also conduct a review of all appropriations from the IRA, after former President Joe Biden spent the remaining months of his presidency trying to rapidly dish out funds from the bill to fund green energy projects across the country.
Former President Joe Biden implemented several environmental regulations during his term. (Kevin Dietsch)
"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," Burgum said in a statement.
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Climate activist groups, however, have not been supportive of Burgum's nomination.
"From opening more public lands for extraction to attacking countless protections of lands, water, and wildlife, it’s clear that President Trump is committed to expanding fossil fuels and catering to industry at the expense of our climate, public lands and waters, and wildlife," Earthjustice, an environmental law group, wrote in opposition to Burgum's nomination.
Aubrie Spady is a Writer for Fox News Digital.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/exciting-chapter-interior-sec-takes-aim-biden-oil-lease-ban-coercive-climate-policies-day-1-orders