Burgum headed for Secretary of Interior

[brocksw]

https://www.usnews.com/news/top-news/articles/2024-11-14/trump-says-north-dakota-governor-burgum-to-be-interior-secretary

 

[Forkyfinder]

@brocksw youre from ND, right?

Thoughts?

 

[brocksw]

@brocksw youre from ND, right?

Thoughts?

I wish I had a confident answer for you. It’s sort of a tale of two Burgums for me, and I’m not sure which will be sitting in that chair.

My first couple experiences with him I walked away thinking he was the smartest guy in the room, and it wasn’t close. He was very fact driven and he asked questions that only an objective and thoughtful person would ask.

I haven’t been around him much in his second term, but he’s made some decisions on a few issues that left me scratching my head. But then again, he’s been on the right side of a couple issues behind closed doors.

He’s appeared to become much more partisan in his politics the last couple years. I’m not sure if that’s for show on campaign trails, where he’s trying to secure a job, or if it’s what he actually thinks.

A wide range of possibilities. Some things I know for sure; he’s pro energy and pro technological innovation (sometimes to a detriment).

I’m cautiously optimistic….but won’t be surprised if it turns the wrong direction.

 

[Hunting Wife]

I expected waaaaaay worse.

From a work perspective, some of ND’s politicians have been aggressively anti-public lands, anti-conservation and anti-science-based management. In the grand scheme of things in our court, Bergum has been pretty reasonable to work with. I don’t hate this? Yet?

 

[brocksw]

I expected waaaaaay worse.

From a work perspective, some of ND’s politicians have been aggressively anti-public lands, anti-conservation and anti-science-based management. In the grand scheme of things in our court, Bergum has been pretty reasonable to work with. I don’t hate this? Yet?

I would agree with that take. Especially that last part.

He, almost unilaterally, enacted some policies that put in some oil development guard rails in certain areas in western ND. He’s supported the Game and fish CWD management and let the subject matter experts make decisions.

But he’s also been behind some lawsuits suing the Feds and I’m not sure where on earth he was getting his information.

 

[F250]

My wife works for USF&W Refuges. She’s hoping it’s a step up from where they are now.

 

[BrentD]

My wife works for USF&W Refuges. She’s hoping it’s a step up from where they are now.

Sounds like it might be --- If she loves oil wells.

 

[Oak]

Secretary Doug Burgum Signs First Round of Secretary's Orders to Unleash American Energy | U.S. Department of the Interior

Today, Doug Burgum officially began his tenure as the 55th Secretary of the Interior, marking the start of a new era focused on advancing American energy independence and ensuring the responsible stewardship of the nation’s public lands and resources.

www.doi.gov

 

[NDGuy]

Secretary Doug Burgum Signs First Round of Secretary's Orders to Unleash American Energy | U.S. Department of the Interior

Today, Doug Burgum officially began his tenure as the 55th Secretary of the Interior, marking the start of a new era focused on advancing American energy independence and ensuring the responsible stewardship of the nation’s public lands and resources.

www.doi.gov

Sigh

 

[Forkyfinder]

Sigh

To be honest - this seems like more talking point than reality. I dont see oil companies exploring all over with low price crude.

 

[NDGuy]

To be honest - this seems like more talking point than reality. I dont see oil companies exploring all over with low price crude.

I have faith that Burgum will do good things as I know the family, but we shall see.

 

[Hunting Wife]

So far looks like rolling things back to Trump 1.0.

However, I don’t think it’s Bergum that is the guy to worry about imploding things at Interior.

 

[mtmiller]

The author of DOI in Project 2025 scared me much more.

 

[WyoCoalMiner]

So far looks like rolling things back to Trump 1.0.

Let's hope so as that would be a good thing. I can speak from firsthand experience as an Operator on a Federal Land lease over many different administrations. The first 4 Trump administration years were fair, followed law and regulation, didn't not give anyone a free pass and moved proposals along in a timely manner. An EA, EIS and a FONSI meant something. If you had a valid project, approvals were granted. If you didn't, they were not. The Obama adminstration simply stopped any forward movement on projects that did not meet with their desired goals. The Biden adminstration implemented delays, additional reviews, changed the solicitor review program after completing a review so that you would have to go back through another round, would send you down one path to only redirect you down a different path when you had reached the end or simply look past a FONSI and just say NO. This endless delay, changes, review and redirect cost everyone including taxpayers', frustrated people within the DOI, Contractors hired by the Proponents to perform the studies and the Proponents that paid for this work with no real outcome. That outcome works for nobody. Let's hope a return to real oversight returns.

 

[NDGuy]

The author of DOI in Project 2025 scared me much more.

That checklist is going swell for them so far

 

[Hunting Wife]

Let's hope so as that would be a good thing. I can speak from firsthand experience as an Operator on a Federal Land lease over many different administrations. The first 4 Trump administration years were fair, followed law and regulation, didn't not give anyone a free pass and moved proposals along in a timely manner. An EA, EIS and a FONSI meant something. If you had a valid project, approvals were granted. If you didn't, they were not. The Obama adminstration simply stopped any forward movement on projects that did not meet with their desired goals. The Biden adminstration implemented delays, additional reviews, changed the solicitor review program after completing a review so that you would have to go back through another round, would send you down one path to only redirect you down a different path when you had reached the end or simply look past a FONSI and just say NO. This endless delay, changes, review and redirect cost everyone including taxpayers', frustrated people within the DOI, Contractors hired by the Proponents to perform the studies and the Proponents that paid for this work with no real outcome. That outcome works for nobody. Let's hope a return to real oversight returns.

I’m all for streamlining processes but I have a funny feeling that axing half or all of the employees is not going to result in faster turnaround times.

Would have made more sense to address processes first, then see what kind of workforce restructuring was necessary.

 

[Gr8bawana]

Secretary Doug Burgum Signs First Round of Secretary's Orders to Unleash American Energy | U.S. Department of the Interior

Today, Doug Burgum officially began his tenure as the 55th Secretary of the Interior, marking the start of a new era focused on advancing American energy independence and ensuring the responsible stewardship of the nation’s public lands and resources.

www.doi.gov

coming soon to your favorite hunting area.

 

[WyoCoalMiner]

I’m all for streamlining processes but I have a funny feeling that axing half or all of the employees is not going to result in faster turnaround times.

Would have made more sense to address processes first, then see what kind of workforce restructuring was necessary.

You may very well be correct. However, in the cases I am involved with, turnaround time had nothing to do with manpower and had everything to do with intentionally delaying project timelines.

I get to interact with a lot of folks that work for various agencies under the DOI. By far the majority of them are people that I would want working for me. Even they could see it for what it was and would express their frustration.

If it were me, I would review systems before I started cutting the workforce. But a cut would eventually be coming for sure. Trump has a very different style for sure. Suppose we will see if it works.

 

[Hunting Wife]

You may very well be correct. However, in the cases I am involved with, turnaround time had nothing to do with manpower and had everything to do with intentionally delaying project timelines.

I get to interact with a lot of folks that work for various agencies under the DOI. By far the majority of them are people that I would want working for me. Even they could see it for what it was and would express their frustration.

If it were me, I would review systems before I started cutting the workforce. But a cut would eventually be coming for sure. Trump has a very different style for sure. Suppose we will see if it works.

Amen.

 

[ismith]

coming soon to your favorite hunting area.

View attachment 359724

Looks like there’s still room for some solar and wind projects there, don’t despair!