The nomination of North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum as Secretary of the Interior is being praised by many while creating worry among others who have concerns about his relationship with big oil

“The best pick yet!” Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-ND, stated on social media following president-elect Donald Trump’s announcement of his choice to head the Department of the Interior.

Cramer has backed his home state as it leads a lawsuit with three other states against the Department of Interior to block the Biden administration’s venting and flaring rule. The rule establishes a new royalty on flared gas, institutes monthly limits on allowable flaring and adds new application requirements for operators regarding their ability to capture natural gas before obtaining a drilling permit. The department has appealed a preliminary injunction granted by the court in September, and Cramer has stated, “The Trump administration will take a markedly different approach, making this appeal desperate and dilatory at best.”

Government watchdog Accountable.US released a statement highlighting red flags about Burgum’s strong ties to the oil industry.

“Governor Burgum’s cozy relationship with big oil spells danger for America’s taxpayers and the great outdoors,” said Accountable.US Executive Director Tony Carrk. “Americans deserve leaders who prioritize protecting public land for everyone, not for oil and gas profiteering.”

However, the National Wildlife Federation said Burgum’s record indicates he will bring a balanced approach to stewarding the nation’s wildlife, public lands and waters, and other resources.

“Governor Doug Burgum has often been a strong advocate for science-driven wildlife management, conservation of wildlife habitat, promotion of the outdoor recreation economy and reductions in pollution through commonsense carbon management and appropriately-sited clean energy. We hope he will carry these experiences to the Interior Department and provide the type of balanced, farsighted leadership that people and wildlife alike need,” said Collin O’Mara, president and CEO of the federation.

The North Dakota Stockmen’s Association cited Burgum’s cattle industry ties and longtime NDSA membership in supporting his nomination.

“The DOI has a multi-faceted portfolio, and Governor Burgum’s energy and agriculture expertise and common-sense, business approach make him well-suited for the position. Burgum’s nomination brings honor to our state and shines a spotlight on the productivity and environmental stewardship of our economic drivers and foundational industries, agriculture and energy,” said NDSA President Randy Schmitt, Rugby.

Sen. John Hoeven, R-ND, issued a statement saying: “Doug can have a real impact for our country and North Dakota in this role, and I look forward to working with him. He has served the people of North Dakota well during his time as governor and is a tremendous advocate for our state. Coming from North Dakota, Doug has the right background to lead the Department of the Interior and oversee our public lands and natural resources in the right way. He has been a great partner as we’ve worked to build North Dakota’s energy leadership and in this role can help to not only restore American energy security, but make America energy dominant.”

As Interior secretary, Burgum would oversee the management of about 640 million acres of federal land, including 58,500 surface acres administered by the Bureau of Land Management in North Dakota, as well as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Reclamation, Bureau of Indian Affairs and other agencies.

“Being selected to lead the U.S. Department of the Interior is an incredible honor and an enormous responsibility,” Burgum said in a prepared statement. “Serving as Interior Secretary is an opportunity to redefine and improve upon the federal government’s relationship with tribal nations, landowners, mineral developers, outdoor enthusiasts and others, with a focus on maximizing the responsible use of our natural resources with environmental stewardship for the benefit of the American people.”

Burgum would chair the newly formed National Energy Council, which will consist of all departments and agencies involved in the permitting, production, generation, distribution, regulation and transportation of all forms of American energy. As chairman, Burgum also would have a seat on the National Security Council.

“The National Energy Council will foster an unprecedented level of coordination among federal agencies to advance American energy. By establishing U.S. energy dominance, we can jumpstart our economy, drive down costs for consumers and generate billions in revenue to help reduce our deficit,” Burgum said. “Focusing on innovation over regulation to solve the nation’s challenges will allow us to smartly expand American energy and make our world cleaner and safer by selling energy to our friends and allies versus them having to buy it from our adversaries.”

If confirmed, Burgum will be the first native North Dakotan to lead a U.S. Cabinet agency since former Gov. Ed Schafer led the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 2008-2009 under President George W. Bush, the governor’s office reported.

Two other North Dakotans have served in a president’s Cabinet. President Gerald Ford appointed former Bismarck mayor and Kintyre native Tom Kleppe as Interior Secretary in 1975, and President Bill Clinton appointed Scranton native Warren Christopher as Secretary of State in 1993.