On his first day in office, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum put forth six orders meant to increase drilling on federal lands and offshore and cut regulations.
Burgum, who on Monday began his tenure at the department that oversees most of the nation’s federal public lands and waters, ordered agency staff to “immediately identify all emergency and legal authorities” available to facilitate more leasing of oil, gas, and mineral rights on public lands. He also signed an order encouraging more energy exploration and production offshore, including on the Outer Continental Shelf.
Another order requires agencies to “eliminate at least 10 existing regulations for every new one introduced” and tasking staff with “reducing unnecessary regulatory burdens.” Burgum also directed the Interior Department to “maximize” the production of fossil fuels and minerals on public land in Alaska.
Burgum, a former North Dakota governor, said in a press release Monday that the actions are about advancing President Donald Trump’s agenda to make America “energy dominant.” In the years before Trump took office, the U.S. was already setting records for oil and natural gas production and exports.