Key Points:
Burgum was asked by Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) about the Antiquities Act and the designation of National Monuments. Burgum replied that the Act was signed by President Roosevelt and is intended to protect the smallest amount of land possible. Burgum stated the Antiquities Act’s original intention was “really to protect, as it says, Antiquities, areas like, I would say, Indiana Jones type archaeological protections.”
Burgum repeatedly stressed his belief that energy production correlated strongly to America’s national security. Burgum stated that there was a shortage of “baseload” electricity when asked about coal mines awaiting approval in Montana. Burgum stressed that increasing baseload energy was vital to national security.
When discussing baseload, Burgum often referred to fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas. Burgum referred to renewable energy as “intermittent” sources of energy.
In response to questions from Sen. Cortez Masto (D-NV), Burgum claimed that we were “short of electricity” in America. He claimed that America must have enough “baseload” for the grid to be balanced and claimed renewable energy was “intermittent, I’ll call it, unreliable [...] because the sun doesn’t always shine, the wind doesn’t always blow.”
Burgum claimed that we were in a “cold war” with China regarding an “AI Arms Race” for which America needed more baseload energy, which included coal, critical minerals, and offshore energy to win.
In response to several questions, Burgum stressed the need for a whole-of-government approach to creating a “balance sheet” for America that would assign values to public lands available for development.
In response to a question from Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT), Burgum stated there was enthusiasm from Treasury Secretary nominee Bessent, Commerce Secretary nominee Howard Lutnick, and House Speaker Mike Johnson for developing a balance sheet. Burgum claimed that liabilities were well known, but stressed America should have a firm grasp of its assets.
In response to a question from Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT), Burgum claimed there was technology to deliver clean coal that would help the nation decarbonize and increase baseload.
In response to questions from Senator John Barrasso (R-WY), Burgum committed to working to repeal the Rock Springs Resource Management Plan with Sen. Barrasso, working with Barrasso to reverse the Buffalo, WY Resource Management Plan in the Powder River Basin, and issuing required lease sales. Burgum claimed that the Biden administration did not follow the law for lease sales.
In response to a question from Senator Cortez Masto (D-NV), Burgum claimed that America did not have proper balance in its grid and it must be restored.
As always if you have any questions please let us know!
Best,
Research
On January 16, 2025, the Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee held a hearing “to Consider the Nomination of the Honorable Doug Burgum to be Secretary of the Interior.” The hearing was at 10:00AM in room 366 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building.
The hearing can be viewed on CSPAN HERE. The hearing page is available HERE.
Majority Members:
Lee, Mike (UT), Chairman
Barrasso, John (WY)
Risch, James E. (ID)
Daines, Steve (MT)
Cotton, Tom (AR)
Justice, James C. (WV)
McCormick, David (PA)
Cassidy, Bill (LA)
Hyde-Smith, Cindy (MS)
Murkowski, Lisa (AK)
Hoeven, John (ND)
Minority Members:
Heinrich, Martin (NM), Ranking Member
Wyden, Ron (OR)
Cantwell, Maria (WA)
Hirono, Mazie K. (HI)
King, Angus S. (ME)
Cortez Masto, Catherine (NV)
Hickenlooper, John W. (CO)
Padilla, Alex (CA)
Gallego, Ruben (AZ)
Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) – Chairman
-Nom comes at urgent time as Biden admin policies causing suffering from skyrocketing energy prices that drive everything up
-Restrictive land use policies stifle growth
-American families are struggling
-Voters sent clear message demanding bold leaders to break from status quo - one less likely to result in inflation like last 4 years
-Your nomination has support from Tribes, organizations, businesses, and people from all backgrounds
-Dozens of letters of support underscore your reputation as a leader committed to fostering change and relationships
-DOI plays central role in addressing challenges in states like UT where land management shapes nearly every aspect of day to day life
-Fed gov’t owns ⅔ of our land - other public lands states are represented on this committee
-one fifth of land in US is under federal control - influences energy development, access, tribal relations etc
-In UT, impact of policies are profound - decisions ripple through economy and communities, not always positive
-Took troubling turn under Biden, expanding Bears Ears and Grand Staircase without local input, has harmed locals and had no input
-Restrictive management plans put barriers to responsible development
-Biden issued moratorium on oil and gas leasing, we needed that to power our homes and communities
-Pattern of disregard for multiple use mandate
-Consequences of Biden policies extend far beyond UT - wildfires devastate CA, mismanagement has consequences
-Agencies must reevaluate approach to wildfire prevention
-UT and other western states know devastation of fires, addressing crisis must be key priority for DOI
-DOI must take hard look at leasing restrictions, steered development toward low potential areas
-WE can’t afford to let bureaucratic delays jeopardize our future
-Houstin shortages across West present daunting challenges - DOI could finally alleviate the housing crisis in UT where demand far exceeds supply. My HOUSES Act would provide a long-term strategy for partnerships.
-Fed. land policy can drive solutions
-CO River: Faces growing threats - effective support from DOI as states negotiate future will be vital
-Natl Parks require attention - they are a source of pride and a major economic driver. SOme polls show they’re a feature of fed gov’t that people actually like
-Accessibility must be balanced with conservation
-Misuse of ESA caused significant harm by halting development projects and undermining state authority
-Your track record uniquely positions you to lead DOI - your vision is instrumental in restoring balance to federal policies and ensuring public lands are managed well
-UT is ready to work with you, come visit to see challenges and opportunities
Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM) – Ranking Member
- Horrific wildfires in California, know you’ll get questions about that, particularly firefighters
-DOI has responsibility for broad issues – conserving places that Americans spend with families, preserving wildlife, delivering water, fulfilling trust responsibilities to tribal nations.
- Public lands are where we go to camp, hunt, fish. Where veterans seek peace. While some suggest the existence of public lands are unconstitutional, the idea of lands that belong to everyone is one of the most democratic ideas from our nation. Hope you’ll join me in keeping public lands in public hands.
- Upholding treaty commitments to tribal nations. We routinely fall short of meeting those commitments, must do better.
- As climate change brings higher winds, lower snow pack, and the aridification of western US. NM will have 25% less water than it had historically. The Colorado River will never return to previous flows. Must help the west transition to a new water reality.
- DOI is also an energy department. As we transition to a cleaner economy, land managed by DOI will play a role. Facilitate energy around country. Geothermal, hydrogen, solar, wind – department at center of energy future.
Sen. Hoeven (R-ND) - Introduction
-Welcome, great to see you, thanks for your service to ND
-Known Doug for 30 years, we’re all friends
-Great Plains Software: starting hiring kids from across ND to develop software company
-I went to his office, he was putting floppy discs in sleeves and shipping i said what is this, i learned all about PC software, he went public in ‘97, sold to Microsoft in ‘01, and that became Microsoft Business Solutions
-Ran that for multiple years, kept it in Fargo, had 2k ND residents working for him
-Went into Philanthropy, incl great things for NDSU, revitalized downtown Fargo with real estate development
-Gave him Roughrider Award in ‘97
-Ran for gov in ‘16 and ‘20 and won mostly b/c of katherine - he did a great job
-Ran for president, was the first to endorse Trump after leaving the race. Trump is excited about Doug from the jump
-He endorsed Trump who saw someone who understands energy. Trump has such a big energy agenda and this is the guy to lead it, including National Energy Council
-DOI touches a lot, Burgum loves the outdoors, riding horses, hunting, national parks, he’s a historian
-Every Tribe in ND has endorsed Burgum (enters letters into record)
-180 tribes across country have endorsed him too
-Fits the job, hope everyone on cmte visits with him, he’ll take time to understand your issues and work with you
Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-ND) - Introduction
-Trump’s confidence: he called me a lot and when Doug was his opponent, said he likes him b/c he’s so smart
-As a consumer of our great rich properties, value that they bring to ag and responsible mineral extraction, one thing not talked about is he’s not just an oil man from an O&G producing state, he’s a conservationist from the land of Roosevelt
-He carried the ball to ensure Theodore Roosevelt Library gets built in Medura, ND as a gateway to Theodore Roosevelt National Park
-Honor to talk about multiple uses of federal assets
-Over my time in ND, thing that’s impressed me the most about Burgum was his respect showed to Tribes, which has been reciprocated
-Re-earned trust that had been lost throughout history - it’s hard work to do that
-With different leadership DAPL could have divided people, but through all that he earned their support
-Reads paragraph from Charwoman of Standing Rock Sioux Tribe in ND/SD
-Burgum understands Native Americans, does it well, understands importance of honoring values and culture, promoting family first, remembering where we came from and struggles
Doug Burgum, Nominee for Secretary of the Department of the Interior
Testimony can be found HERE
-Grateful to be here, thanks to Hoeven, Cramer for friendship and service
-Grateful for support of friends and family, kids, wife Katherine
-HOnor to be nominated as 55th Secretary of the Interior
-I grew up in Arthur, a tiny town without paved streets, 400 people
-Father was WWII Navy officer, died when I was a freshman in HS
-Blessed to learn about service, leadership, and sacrifice, and a love of the outdoors
-Worked in a grain elevator, all jobs through college required a shower after, I worked as a chimney sweep while at NDSU. You could move up fast and stay in the black
-I saw my first Apple 2 computer after grad school and wanted to get into software. Bet the farm on tiny software startup called Great Plains
-Grew to global public companies with over 2k team members
-Spent entire life in private sector until serving as Governor
-Time as governor has been valuable prep for serving as Secretary of Interior - put me in contact with many bureaus inside DOI
-ND: we share land with tribes, sometimes relationship has been challenged but it’s strong now
-Willingness to listen- grateful for tribal nations for supporting my nomination
-Serve as chair of ND Land Board - land and minerals management
-Charied ND Industrial Commission overseeing agencies that manage resources and energy production
-State water commission chair overseeing water projects
-Parallel responsibilities to DOI
-ND blessed with natural beauty incl. Theodore Roosevelt National Park which includes his ranch, the cradle of conservation
-ND Badlands are badder than SD’s, great prairies, hunting, fishing, recreation
-ND has prosperous economy by sustainably developing natural resources with respect for land and wildlife
-ND experienced lowest unemployment in nation and highest GDP growth, grew from one of oldest states to youngest
-Our success was underpinned by realization that we live in an era of abundance
-Prioritizing innovation over regulation -will bring this to DOI and tens of thousands of employees
-Trumps vision: American people placed confidence in Trump to achieve energy dominance the foundation of prosperity, affordability, and national security
-Today, US produces energy cleaner, smarter, and safer than anywhere else.
-Russia and Iran produce when we don’t - use profits to fund wars against us and our allies
-Energy production will drive down inflation and make us safer
-We’re building Theodore Roosevelt Library & Museum - in our time, Trump’s energy dominance can be our big stick to achieve world peace and energy prosperity
Q: Antiquities Act: Law passed over a century ago, gives the president power to create monuments, which need to occupy no more land than compatible. Become political football in UT. Clinton designated Grand Staircase, Obama added Bears Ears. Both designations were objected to by people in UT. Trump reduced size in 2017 to bring them more into Antiquities Act conformity. 2021, Biden re-expanded, disregarding local input. The size of two Delawares in my state. The [monument’s] line was so big and expansive b/c local leaders weren’t consulted. Gov. Burgum, meet with those whose voices were ignored. Will you fix the current mess and make sure Antiquities Act designated monuments do not exceed restrictions?
-1905 Antiquities Act signed by Roosevelt, states clearly its smallest possible area to protect areas
-Originally made to protect antiquities like Indiana Jones antiquities
-I look forward to working with you in local consultation areas
-When federal government overreaches, it has impact on Tribes, local communities, and all those around
-Strike right balance, look forward to working with you
Q: Housing: shortages in the West. Presence of federal land available for housing results in shortages. Some of us feel like islands within a sea of federal land. Constrained growth, makes the housing situation more dire. I want to work with you on a bill called the HOUSES Act, to develop creative ways to address the housing affordability crisis. How can DOI help address the housing crisis in areas like UT, where federal land inhibits community needs?
-One of our great challenges is housing affordability. My discussion with Spencer Cox, i know its a priority
-Opportunities for us to accomplish both in a time of abundance
-Federal lands butting urban areas, some areas that need protected, sometimes we did land swaps to provide better outcomes
-Public lands in general like national parks, we need to support and protect every inch
-In other cases, we have multiple use that has pathways to find solutions to address housing
Q: People are concerned that we might, in a wholesale way, divest in our public lands. How can we stay true to history, make sure the things we do on public lands – economically, recreationally, they play an essential culture role – can be supported while making decisions about individual parcels
-Can look no further than NM to show we can find the balance. NM passed ND as oil producer, but record of protecting lands and providing that balance. Opportunity to find that balance going forward. Protect land while solving issues, whether housing or resource development that may be of interest to tribes and local communities
Q: We pride ourselves on that in NM. We’ve been able to strike that balance. Energy leader on many fronts. We’ve created number of national monuments that are not controversial, supported by locals. Ask that before the Department makes wholesale changes to designations, meet with myself and local leaders.
-Look forward to those discussions. Key to this is local consultation. As Lee and others have experienced, have been some cases of total opposition and no local consultation. Consultation is key.
Q: Part of consultation is those tribes, right?
-Absolutely.
Q: As former outfitter guide, excited that this senate passed the Explore Act. Big economic driver of our public lands that don’t get the same attention as energy and other uses get. Outdoor rec responsible for jobs, financial impact. How can we balance those competing issues? It is growing, crucial to rural gateway communities
- Passion of mine, lifelong avid outdoorsmen. Got endorsement of outdoor rec roundtable. Created office of outdoor rec as governor. Created a tool to look on phone to see if land is posted or not and find phone number for landowner. Keep that outdoor economy going.
DAINES: If confirmed, you’ll be 8th in line of succession to presidency. Bureau of Indian Affairs is oldest agency within DOI. Letter from Coalition of Large Tribes (submitted to record). Wrote letter in support (reads letter of support from COLT).
Q: Last week, FWS denied MT/WY request to delist greater Yellowstone ecosystem and COntinental Divide ecosystem to delist Grizzly Bears. We should be celebrating that Grizzly Bears have recovered and is prolific, but ruling out of FWS punishes MT’s successful recovery efforts. It’s backwards. People back home take it seriously b/c people have been mauled. Playgrounds at schools have high fences to protect children from bears. FWS keeps moving goalposts for returning to state management. 2100 bears in two ecosystems. WOuld you acknowledge data shows the recovery and work with me to delist them?
-I’m aware of the data, important issue to montanans and WY and ID, I’m with you
-We should be celebrating when species come off the endangered species list rather than fighting to keep them on the list
-I understand how dedicated state workers are in protecting species
-Managed as they are all other species by locals who have closest data, i’ll work with you.
Q: Biden has been slow-walking permits for coal mines in Montana. All desperately needed to get permits finalized. Biden’s office of surface mining hasn’t finished needed reviews. Will you prioritize completing permits?
-Part of a larger crisis in nation around electricity - we have a shortage of baseload.
-We have technology to deliver clean coal, we’re doing it in ND.
-Opportunity to decarbonize and produce clean load and increase baseload
-We wanna work with you on this issue, critical to national security
-We’ll lose AI arms race to china without baseload, directly impacts national security.
DAINES: Highlighting importance of bill with Sen. King to reauthorize National parks and public land legacy fund to address deferred maintenance on public lands. Trump signed greatest conservation bill in 50 years with GAOA. Thanks to Sen. Heinrich. I hope to count on your support for reauthorizing program.
-GAOA was vital, i know well the amount of deferred maintenance, probably larger than it was
Q: have you ever made unwanted requests for sexual favors or committed harassment or assaults
-no
Q: ever faced discipline or entered into a settlement for this kind of conduct?
-No
Q: in your testimony, you noted Trump’s energy dominance vision will end wars abroad. Trump has instructed you to expand drilling. Burning fossil fuels is driver of climate change. James Mattis said climate change impacting stability where troops are operating. Chuck Kagel said climate change is a critical national security threat. Were you aware that they testified that burning fossil fuels is not going to end wars, but exacerbate?
-No I’m not aware. I do know that within fossil fuels that the concern has been about emissions. With emissions, we can do things like carbon capture.
Q: you have military leaders that have acknowledge that climate change is a major issue. That you will take position of engaging in active access is troubling. It is your duty to carry out mission to protect and manage our natural resources and cultural heritage. If you’re ordered by president to act in a manner that is in contradiction, such as drilling in Bears Ears, would you?
- I’ll follow the law and constitution. I’ve not heard anything about Trump wanting to do anything other than advancing energy production for benefit of American people
Q: we know Trump wants to drill baby drill. You said he has energy dominance vision. You’ll have these issues to decide, are you going to drill in a monument, will you protect resources or will you drill baby drill? I raise that as a concern.
Q: Renewed compact of free association. I would like to get your commitment to implement new compact in accordance with bipartisan law enacted last year
- These pacific islands are critically important to national security. Important military implications. With aggression of China, more important to support them than ever. Important that federal government does their share.
Q: Energy is the key that opens every door. World is starving for America to lead the way. Electricity will become a crisis like we can’t image and we need to be prepared. Permitting has gotten outrageous. Please, tell us your thoughts on how to approach issues with FWS?
-Great you’re here in Senate, you did great as governor
-You have everything, you get it, we’re in an energy crisis and first place is in electricity.
-Our grid could go unstable, months away from skyrocketing prices for Americans
-AI arms race: We need electricity for manufacturing. AI is manufacturing intelligence, we need to do more than our enemies.
-Permitting: in some queues of FERC for electricity, it’s 7 years or longer, it’s 95% intermittent sources and 5% baseload, we need baseload to allow renewables to be part of system.
-Permitting reform and speeding it up - we’ve stacked the deck creating roadblocks for those that want to do baseload and tax incentives for those that want intermittent.
-We can do it with having a cleaner environment - we’re the one nation that’s reduced CO2 over the last 10 years. China has doubled.
Q: I’m an outdoorsman. Attack on hunting and fishing - hunters do so much to contribute to our wildlife and lands. What’ll you do to ensure we’ll perpetuate unbelievable tradition to our youth?
-We've taken steps to create youth hunting education, seasons, availability, and for veterans.
-Public lands and access: Greatest conservationist in our country are listening: Hunters are ones that pour $ into conservation.
-Conservation and hunting go hand in hand
-Dollars flow back into habitat, ensure we have hunting for public. In ND, you can get a $20 tag and go on a hunt that’s just as amazing as going to Africa.
Q: Trump is bringing us amazing nominees, but this man - he’s so smart, has a great track record, has experience, if anyone is the pick of the litter it’s this man. He’s done an amazing job and has courage you can’t imagine. He stood on one leg at the debate. Seen kids get torn achilles and it’s a serious injury. How you did it I’ll never know. I give you kudos.
-Thanks, Senator
Q: Visited ND. Flattest place I’ve ever been. A lot of people talk about all of the above energy strategy, you implemented it in ND. Convince your boss that wind power is not all bad. You know the benefits are also there. Base load, storage is important. Coming from state where 36% of energy came from wind, hope you can talk to Trump. Facing huge energy challenge to support knowledge economy. Will you undertake that?
-Certainly you have good wind resources in ME, ND. Not every state is lucky to have that. Key here is base load versus intermittent. Need to have the balance. We may have tipped too far in one direction.
Q: But you see the value?
-Yeah and most of that we export. We need all of the above strategy
Q: And the balance
-It is a balance but we need more. We are short on baseload.
Q: Maine has offshore wind. Hope you’ll commit to continuing those leases. Enormous resource in the gulf of Maine, provides significant energy. Will you continue with the projects underway?
-Not familiar with every project underway. Will review and if they make sense, they’ll continue. Trump is concerned about tax incentives that have gone towards some forms of energy that exacerbate this imbalance we are seeing.
Q: Permitting reform for generation and transmission?
-Yes. One of the challenges of our time. Whether its transmission or pipeline getting built, it takes too long in our country. One thing to generate but if we can’t transmit it, it’s a problem.
Q: America The Beautiful Act. Glad to hear your support. Chronically underfunded maintenance, being asked to fix a backlog that shouldn’t exist. Hope you’ll work to make sure fund is allocated so we don’t dig the hole deeper.
-I agree. I was shocked that in ND we didn’t have appropriate formulas for funding maintenance. Tough to get money to take care of buildings we already had. Will take a look at procedures at DOI. Have to get the formulas right because we are creating liabilities for future generations
Q: formula right now is not right, thanks for taking that step.
Q: In PA, path to energy dominance goes through our state. I’m planning an Energy and Innovation Summit. Hoping I can start with your support to make that a reality.
-Great idea, it’s true that PA is the key, there’s such a resource there.
-PA produces 20 percent of the natural gas in US
-Innovators in the private sector invest in the shale revolution, it’s been a miracle.
-We were one of the largest importers, now one of the largest exporters
-Russia ran a campaign with psy ops to get people to shut down baseload to buy nat gas from russia, then invade Ukraine, they make bank, then they fund a war to reopen baseload power plants
-America came to rescue with LNG exports
Q: As PA’s 2nd-largest nat gas producer, as allies and states can’t get access, we need to expand LNG exports. Would create a lot of great jobs. As chair of NEC, how will you increase natural gas production and new export terminals as quickly as possible?
-I learned in the private sector, you want to make forward looking statements.
-Energy Council will be created by EO
-A fact is that we have 80% of homes in ME still heating homes with heating oil, 41% in NH. Can we get a pipeline with clean natural gas to New England?
–At the time of the Russian invasion, we were offloading several barrels of heating oil from Russia into the Northeast.
-WE need to get a transportation network to get clean natural gas everywhere.
-We must not be exposed to needing our adversaries for energy - we have resources here, need to develop them
Q: PA has thousands of orphaned wells, many states have good programs, concerned federal funding is held up through red tape. Will you streamline requirements so PA can access funding to plug wells?
-Passion project, but federal legislation put in place after the pandemic was modeled after what we created in ND. Thanks to Cramer for his work on that
-We have our orphaned wells down to under 200, other states have tens of thousands of abandoned wells, we must take care of them from an environmental standpoint
-Can be great for local economy, I have a lot of knowledge in this area, you can count on my support
-US can be energy dominant, but we have to maintain being cleanest, and safest in the world.
Q: 85% of lands in NV are owned by federal government. Have to manage housing issues, economic development. Always looking for partnerships with federal partners. NV has successful track record. Collaboration is southern NV Lands bill. Hope you believe in balanced land use. Key is local consultation, I agree. Hope you’ll work with us to address housing issues in NV
-Absolutely. I know you are in the top of the list for having most federal land. Same challenges with affordable housing as Lee is seeing in Utah. There are creative ideas for land exchanges, can tell you’ve thought through it.
Q: You mentioned tax incentives for certain energy. In NV, it’s important to have opportunity to support public-private partnerships in clean energy. Do you support public-private partnerships?
-It is great when we can have more market incentives in programs. We did in ND to expand economy and turn match for public dollars.
Q: So there is a role for federal government to incentivize public-private partnerships?
-Yes, where appropriate.
Q: Because of IRA and bipartisan infrastructure package, we’ve benefited economy and national security. Critical mineral mining going on in NV. Ecosystem for battery – manufacturing, storage, and recycling. Our energy is both gas and solar. Isn’t the combo of renewable energy and battery storage baseload?
-That is certainly the future. Need all of the above. We are short of electricity. If we don’t have baseload, the intermittent and I’ll call it unreliable because sun doesn’t always shine, wind doesn’t always blow and storage is still years out to where we could operate at grid scale to make that work – until we get to that time, we have to have two systems
Q: agree but if we don’t have the incentives -- storage is happening in NV – then we will never get there. I’m hearing a shift back to fossil fuels, won’t do any of us a benefit. Think there’s a balanced approach, not one at the expense of the other. You found that balance in ND and every state will be different. I hope you will work with states, won’t take away an opportunity for balanced energy. Will you stand up to administration, when what they’re trying to do won’t benefit state?
- Big opportunities in NV. Solar, geothermal, critical minerals. The benefit to every American, if we have baseload that works, that’s how we have affordability. Every American is paying more for electricity than before. Current policy is hurting every American. Hasn’t happened yet, but coming soon - more brownouts and blackouts are coming because we don’t have balance in the grid. We must restore balance to the grid. Great opportunities to work with you in NV. Glad you brought up critical minerals. In IRA, we passed incentives for EVs when China is controlling 85% of critical minerals. Incenting something that increases dependence on an adversary. We are in a cold war and a cyber war, being attacked by these folks every day.
Q: so you don’t support credits for EVs and that would be something you support the administration repealing?
-I support economics and markets. If you add up EV totals, it’s over $900 per ton of CO2 avoided. In ND, we can give you liquid fuel with zero carbon for $60. We’re doing that today with carbon sequestration for biofuels.
Q: my time is up, look forward to talk to you.
Q: Federal law requires multiple use on public lands, BLM has violated that law in my opinion. Do you support multiple use on federal lands? Why is it important?
-Obviously yes, public lands - and aspects of BLM - is essential to locals.
-Grazing rights, timber, access, oil and gas and mineral production supports local economies
-Land was put away for use and enjoyment of american people.
-Some of the areas we have to protect, but the rest is America’s balance sheet
-Every American during presidential campaign knows we have $36 trillion in debt - we never talk about the assets like the land and minerals
-DOI and BLM have 500 million acres of surface and over 2 billion acres of offshore in balance sheet
-If we were a company, people would say we’re restricting our balance sheet
-If we’re restricting access and don’t develop minerals in a smart way, we’re getting a low return for the American people
-In ND, you started it on the land board, we have a multibillion dollar endowment for K-12 b/c we learned how to utilize, and we still have cleanest air, water, recreation
Q: Working with people across different uses. Indian Country, empowering local tribes to make land use decisions in better ways right?
-MHA nation, three affiliated tribes, one of the great energy tribes - have one of the hardest jobs in nation is a tribal chairman
-Whole other layer of federal bureaucracy, show up at MHA and they say ‘hey you guys are doing too much flaring’ but they wouldn’t be if they gave a gas gathering line
-They get constrained
Q: As DOI Sec, there’s a role as leader as National Energy Council. Talk about how to implement game plan to achieve goal of energy dominance?
-Trump wants to cut red tape, have more affordable energy, sell to friends and allies so they don’t buy from adversaries, and do it in a smart way
-He talks about clean air and water, talks about approach we talk about in this committee
-All of the above, go get it done, stop getting int he way of ourselves
-AI Battle: What’s coming is going to happen during Trump’s term, we have intelligence we can manufacture that will allow us to compete
-China permitted over 2 coal plants per week in 2023 - we’re competing wth someone producing more electricity and AI, this is how we lose the cold war with them, we have to do it here
-China: child labor, no reclamation, no care about environment, they’re a tough competitor
-Must get going and cut red tape. If you shut down US energy production, it doesn’t help global environment b/c somewhere else will do it less clean than we do.
Q: Steward of land, some of most beautiful. Economic juggernaut. Outdoor rec generates trillions of output, accounts for millions of jobs. Doesn’t take a lot in rural community to make economic impact. In ND, 3rd largest industry. You created an office of outdoor rec, good for you. I think you get it. On public lands, will you support more input in outdoor rec economies and gateway communities. Will you fully utilize LWCS?
-On outdoor rec, agree completely on importance. Good for economy, good for health. Need people off devices. Facing mental healthy and addiction crisis. Part of answer is getting connection to outdoors.
Q: so you support LWCS and those funds?
-Some acronyms I’m less familiar with.
Q: we will get you a question for the record. Vitally important. You’re for an aggressive oil and lease strategy. Part of our efforts are to show federal lands are important to outdoor economy. How many areas that aren’t being used, why don’t we start with leases that aren’t being used?
-I’ve never used “aggressive,” I’m for following the law. Had to sue federal government just to follow the law. Prioritize areas that have the most resource opportunities with the least impact on lands that are important. Similar formula. Given scale of public lands we have, can do more without being visible to people that are concerned
Q: would you prioritize existing leases
-I don’t understand
Q: Juxtaposed to expanding leases. Particularly Bears Ears. I don’t want offshore drilling off Washington. Would be helpful to hear you would prioritize existing leases on federal land instead of opening up all federal land to new leasing. Most efficient thing is go after what you already have
-Before making a statement that I agree, I’d have to understand. What I’ve seen as governor is not that we have have existing, but we’re restricting on public lands by illegally not holding leases.
Q: We will submit for the record on that and fire and CLT. You believe in tribal sovereignty and tribal consultation. Tribal consultation doesn’t mean you pick up the phone for one conversation, means you figure out the plan for funds to go to tribes.
-As governor, means going to tribes and listening to really understand issues and getting to people ahead of time. Working on things that are important. Achieved MOUs on law enforcement. Scarcest law enforcement in this country right now is the lack of BIA agents on federal lands. Some reservations have become harbors for criminal organizations because they know we don’t have enough resources there and local sheriffs don’t have jurisdiction. Health care is another
Q: thank you
Lee: No plan to drill in Bears Ears. Cattle that graze, recreation there. I don’t know who came up with this idea that we’re going to drill in Bears Ears, paranoid fantasy. Dispute is over the process over how it was designated. Any input was negative input.
Cantwell: happy to hear you don’t want to drill there
Lee: well there’s no oil there
Q: We don’t have a lack of resources. We have wind, geothermal, solar, tidal power, our big challenge is access. Several states: DOI has disproportionate impact. We have to go to DOI to ask for permission to do anything, regardless of what our state compact says. Love that you’re talking about America’s balance sheet incl. lands and minerals. Part of our challenge is when we talk about our inventory of assets, we’re not on the map in AK. We have a lot of work to do with DOI, we went over many issues. So much of it is about access. First Q: Polar bears: Biden admin. has done a lot of things Alaskans don’t appreciate. Last week, DOI is not going to finish its incidental take regulations for North Slope activities. will leave routine renewal as unfinished business. When you leave those, it means business of North Slope is put on hold. Commitment that you’ll work with Alaskans in North Slope on polar bears?
-Happy to do that. Close to half of land DOI controls is in AK.
-I’d view AK as one of the biggest assets and look forward to working with you.
Q: I want you to be a partner with us as we determine how we achieve balance we talk about. WE’re just as proud of outdoor activities. We have beena ble to access timber, oil resources while providing a place where most would say ‘this is where i want to go before i die.” I need to alert you and my colleagues - when we talk about abundance we have it in AK. But we can’t access it. In South Central, where so many people live. Natural gas out of Cook INlet is dwindling. We’re talking about building an import terminal to import LNG from Canada to keep lights on and homes warm in AK. Where we have unquantifiable reserves. We need help to unleash opportunities we have that’ll allow AK to have energy independence and to be able to help US and friends and allies. Come back to Alaska soon?
-Okay
Q: Progress in CA that we would like to build on, not go backwards. Let me begin with more urgent issue. We’ve seen devastation of recent fires in SOCAL. As governor, you experienced wildfires – requested disaster designation, Biden approved disaster relief without conditions, correct?
- Yes
-Q: Do you believe federal disaster aid should come with or without conditions?
-Each situation would vary. I want to extend our empathy to anyone who has lost homes, lives. Daughter and wife had to evacuate LA. Part of our family saw it firsthand. Urban wildfire is something we as a country needs to think. Every situation is different. In ND, largely rural and grasslands.
Q: Experienced both. Never been strings attached to disaster relief, hope it’s not the first case. Department is significant to wildfire response. Would to respond to every disaster with all resources possible regardless of which state?
-Absolutely. Fire in Maui wasn’t big enough to create national response or collaboration of states. This could be most expensive urban wildfire in history. Time to ask what could we be doing differently? Excited Sheehy is a new senator, worked as professional firefighter.
Q: Sheehy and I are working on bipartisan proposals.
-Goes back to the grid. Need oxygen, fuel load, and a spark. When you have high winds, can come from powerlines.
Q: Love you have that appreciation. Red flag conditions not new to very dry west. Bipartisan effort with Daines to increase pay for firefighters. Federal firefighters part of tremendous response. Will you support wildland firefighters? Recruitment and retainment challenges, including compensation
-Dangerous and very hard job, but essential job. I know from experience – lost two lives in ND as part of wildfires in the prairie. I met with local volunteers, national guard, and citizens that jumped in. I think we all have greater appreciation for that role. Need a better, more sophisticated response. There’s rural firefighting and urban. LA shows us that we have to do things differently.
Q: Will follow up on the record. A note, not a question, important negotiations on Colorado River that need to stay consensus driven. Federal and state agencies working together to tackle resources.
Q: My priority is to use revenue sharing to rebuild LA’s coastline. RISE Act passed by voice vote. Can you speak to importance of revenue sharing to ND, knowing there’s revenue to mitigate negative impacts of drilling?
-Fed revenue goes two ways, we have a portion coming back to state, but a portion goest back to Fed. treasury. Responsible, sustainable development onshore or offshore has great benefit to conservation.
-It can also pay for other things like education, healthcare roads
Q: Kind of a middle class and lower class benefit program. Touches services directly impacting quality of life.
-When done appropriately, lowers burden of taxes on same people.
Q: Folks who do big developments, I can plan trips with my son. Now, there’s practices instituted for dilatory sake. Commitment from you, that lease sales are as scheduled so people making decisions will have certainty?
-As someone suing federal gov’t to get them to hold lease sales when they were supposed to by law, we’ll follow it at DOI.
Q: On some federal lands, before modern enviro standard, there’s abandoned wells that leak methane. Looking at bipartisan bill to have federal program that will cap abandoned wells, we have 1,500 in LA. Any thoughts?
-In ND, we took part of revenues from O&G taxes and created reclamation fund
-WE made sure private sector is doing their share –
Q: Private sector: Issue of liability protection. Will they be sued if something goes bad with remediation of wells? How did you manage that?
-Looking for incentives for private sector to be willing to participate, as opposed to being afraid
-If you give unlimited liability they want to run the other way.
-Appropriate bond levels, we worked collaboratively to make sure they’re doing their share
-If they were not investing in creating wells and taking risk, we wouldn’t have revenue to split.
Q: China doesn’t enforce pollutant standards incentivizing manufacturers to move, which then increases air pollution that blows over to our coast. I’ve proposed with Sen. Graham a foreign pollution fee to put fee on products equal to their pollution. Addressing externalities. It’s basically another tariff. You’ll make sure our industry is competitive in accordance with the law, giving us an advantage to others not following those rules?
-Spot on to recognize Trump who has willingness to use tariffs.
If you have access to our markets and you’re using unfair practices like child labor to lower costs, he’s publicly spoken on having reciprocity with tariffs.
Q: Worked on methane regulations when I was governor. We worked with the industry. As Secretary, how can you use authority to advance rules that boost innovation. Let’s reduce methane, get to better, cleaner energy at lower cost
-I love this Q. We’ve seen in ND, federal regulation comes in, takes years to finalize then you have a federal employee with a clipboard trying to find out if we’ve got emissions. If that’s 6-8 years from beginning of problem to finalization and enforcement, we’ve gone through 4 to 5 cycles and then someone’s got a solution.
Q: Get to the innovation
- We can do methane capture at the well. Implement it, capture it, turn it into electricity. Amount of innovation occurring in energy is as exciting as anything in technology. Can solve problems cheaper, faster than through outdated regulation.
Q: As energy czar, reports on tariffs on critical minerals. Imposing tariffs without clear strategy for essential supply chain, what’s your plan to collaborate with our allies to ensure reliable supply chain for critical minerals?
-Key there is allies. Have to have security network. Buy and sell from each other for critical minerals. We were one of the great mining economies in the world 20 years ago. Became a dirty word. Can hardly find a kid who wants to go into geology
Q: You’re hurting me
-You were there
Q: I’m a geologist
-You’ve seen it shift in your lifetime. Have to bring it back. Critical to our nation’s future. When we can do it better, cleaner, safer then we are helping the world environment.
Q: Can set those standards. Public lands key part of CO. What you did as governor, you did it better. We have places where local communities have joined to protect lands. Thompson Divide has been somewhat controversial, one company saw potential there. I didn’t see much potential. Extend invitation to Colorado, walk that landscape with local ranchers. This isn’t a partisan issue. This is a piece of land that community decided needs to be protected
- Look forward to it
Q: Western states have so much federal land, glad you understand those issues. Grizzly bears kill people. We had them killed off 75 years ago, but someone decided we needed them again. At least 1500 wolves when I became governor and we couldn’t get them delisted until I came to Senate. Bears kill people, population is over the top. BLM Director is important to us - we have a tremendous amount of BLM land, current one only has 95 hours left. She was an ecoterrorist, engaged in spiking trees in ID. Since she’s been BLM Director, we’ve seen her once in 4 years. WE had a huge fight over her and she got confirmed, we don't want someone like that, who we can’t find. Use your best decisionmaking ability when choosing that person.
On another issue: Lava Ridge Windmill Project: You can have all of them, we hate windmills in Idaho, we don’t like them, they’re a blight on our landscape. The Green New Deal is trying to saddle us with 100k acres with 241 windmills higher than space needle. Good news is when you met with me I told you it’s wrong. Good news is that the project has 95 hours left on the table. This is a 99-1 issue in ID and we’ll see it gone.
I’m glad to hear Trump will put you in a position on energy, we know his vision to make america independent, tapping our wealth. Nuclear: ID is birthplace. WE still have first nuclear light bulbs, built 52 reactors at Idaho National Lab. You need to visit. Tremendous resurgence of interest in nuclear. After unfortunate 3 Mile Island Institute, it lost interest. At INL, it’s going to change the world in energy.
Baseload is nuclear as well - world will rely heavily on it. As foreign relations chair, I deal with E. European countries and it’s a national security issue. Thank you for what you’re doing. We welcome you.
NOTE: No question was asked to Burgum by Senator Risch.
Q: One of the biggest issues will be Colorado River. Rules expire in 2026. Operation conversations are still ongoing. Would you work with AZ parties so any termination is not overly burdensome to one state and consistent with Colorado River compact?
-Important issue. As former chair of western governors, I know it is a battle that’s been going on as long as the west. In ND, we deal with the Missouri River basin, but been in deep battles with Canada. I’ve got some good understanding. You can count on us looking for a collaborative solution that serves everyone. Have to look for innovation. Can’t make more water, use what we have wisely. I know how important it is to AZ and economy.
Q: Tribal law enforcement. High rates of missing and murdered women and violent crime. I’ve tried to increase funding. Federal budget cuts put work at risk. What’s your plan to work with congress and tribes on tribal law enforcement?
-Nothing partisan about enforcing law and protecting citizens. Lack of law enforcement on tribal lands is a tragedy. Organized crime preying on the gaps. We don’t have enough training centers for tribes. Need more recruiting, staffing. Missing and murdered indigenous women is an unseen tragedy. Over 6,000 unsolved cases. It is a complete tragedy. If we lose a spring break student, it’s a Netflix series. Tragedies happen over and over in Indian country and people aren’t even aware.
Q: Have to fix Glen Canyon Dam. How would you make it a priority?
-One issue I was not aware of, the Glen Canyon Dam deficiencies. With bureau of reclamation being 2nd largest operator of dams, I’ll quickly meet with the team. Have to have working facilities. Have to have more reservoir capabilities. Have to upgrade to have more storage.
Q: You’re so capable for this position. National Parks in MS contribute to tourism and economy of our state. We work in public private partnerships. In Vicksburg, working on partnership. We want to ensure it continues. Willingness to commit to working on two projects in Vicksburg and Natches?
-Thanks, appreciate you as Ag commissioner working on ag issues
-my family was always involved in agriculture
-Big part of our national security
-national parks: Big deferred maintenance issues
-Precious spots out of billions of acres of surface, subsurface, and offshore that we own
-Must take care of these sites and make sure they’re capable of handling visitors
-Great for local economy, look forward to working with you
Q: Offshore oil and gas production in Gulf of Mexico: Plays vital role in our economy. Anchor platform has come online but it’ll produce 75k barrels of oil per day. Refined in MS, provides jobs and benefits. Important DOI provides a regular lease schedule for new production. Current OCS leasing plan includes only 3 possible lease sales. Is the current 5-year plan adequate to meet energy needs? If not, will you develop and finalize a new 5-year plan?
-You know long lead times it takes for private sector to make investments for offshore development
-Really important part of our national security and economy
-During Biden admin, they're so unpredictable with lease sales
-Projecting forward would guarantee we’d see a decline in offshore energy production
-We’re in a national security battle, the way that we win and ensure America’s future is to have energy dominance.
-President would be saying we have to be doing more smart development, not less
-In ND, we’re suing federal government for not holding required lease sales
-Regular, predictable, at a level to maintain energy production in our country is a minimum standard for us.
Q: You know how strongly I feel about clean energy tax credits. It uses carrots, not sticks. More you reduce carbon, more savings. Consider it a huge breakthrough. Technological neutrality. Nobody knows what the big carbon reducers 30 years from now. Provision creates innovation lane. I heard something, and I’m counting on you to deny it – you seem skeptical in earlier discussions. You’ll be influential on energy.
- I enjoyed our discussion. I think your principles are really sound – being technology neutral, using carrots instead of sticks, having private sector.
Q: Quit while I’m ahead
-I believe some of these things have been so successful, we have an imbalance in number of projects that are intermittent. We have to get back to appropriate baseload to manage. If sun isn’t shining, wind isn’t blowing and we don’t have baseload, we have brownouts, blackouts, and higher electric prices. It’s the balance. It’s great people thought we should but massive incentives for EVs against liquid fuel cars. If there’s innovation neutrality -- we’re producing carbon negative oil and carbon neutral biofuels in ND. Built gas stations without public money or incentives because market created that. Opportunity to have innovation lane for decarbonizing liquid fuels. Have to make sure we have a balance. We need it all to win the competition.
Q: I’m of your view there. There’s a transmission issue. I’ll take that you’re open to continuing to work in this space instead of chucking it into the trash can. I’m interested in improving it.
-You can count on it. I’ll be anchoring in two things, national security – shouldn’t have incentives that enslave us to getting all critical minerals from major power competitor like China – and economy and affordability. If we can do something for $60 to $900, I’ll choose the $60.
Q: The idea of linking a lower carbon future with lower prices with focus on national security is a triangle I can support
Q: The Federal government controls many acres of land in the West, depends on strong DOI leadership. Over the last 4 years, the Biden admin has punished the West. The will of the people on the land have been ignored. 1. Rock Springs RMP: BLM finalized it last month, not even a week after WY Gov. submitted an appeal. It’ll lock up millions of acres of land that the state relies on. Local leaders strongly oppose. Work with my office and state to undo it?
-I’m familiar with it, we had a similar experience in ND
-Yes, you can count on me working with you.
Q: 2/3 of our mineral land is owned by fed. government. Energy development depends on DOI cooperation. Commit to joining the WY delegation to talk about the future?
-Yes I’d enjoy it and have a great relationship with Gov. Gordon.
-Lot of shared challenges with WY and ND
Q: Buffalo, WY: Biden admin finalized RMP for Buffalo, WY field office banning new coal leasing in Powder River Basin. This decision is an insult to our communities and harmful to energy security. Work with me to reverse this plan?
-Absolutely.
-I know that critical minerals, in Powder River, it has many critical minerals we need for technology and defense
-Rather than blanket approach blocking that kind of development, think about how innovation will help us
Q: Oil and gas leases: Biden has a disgraceful record, blocked at every turn. Diverted 600k acres previously cleared for oil and gas production. Hasn’t issued lease sales for leases issued over 4 years ago. Work to issue those leases and additional acres for leasing?
-Absolutely, we faced same thing in ND
-Biden admin did not follow law for lease sales.
Q: Sage Grouse: For 15 years, WY has been at the forefront of protecting species. We’ve balanced conservation with development. Biden designated over 600k acres as ACEC. Willing to reopen Greater Sage Grouse Management?
-ROD came out this morning, I don’t want to make a statement, I may have to recuse myself.
-I’m familiar with use of designations to restrict energy development
-Sage grouse is not on the environmental designation list.
Q: Grazing: Land under multiple use is to be managed without impairment of productivity of land. Public places WY depends on for livelihoods. Support multiple use mandate for federal lands?
-Absolutely
-Grazing reduces fuel load, timber management reduces fires
-All multiple use is part of component to how we think about fire management on federal lands.
Q: On Jan 3, NYT published a snail darter article. It was designated in the 70s. Zoologist made up this species for the point of halting construction of Delico (sic) Dam. Not an uncommon practice to create new species for the downstream conservation implications. Activists are creating species, calling them endangered, to stop construction of dams or other purposes. Admitted publicly in the NYT by activists. It’s a scandal. Commitment to re-examine ESA listings to ID other false designations?
-You raise an important issue, weaponization of federal rules, not to protect wildlife but to stop legal activities like multiple use scenario
-It’s a legal weapon used for fundraising, for groups trying to block our nation’s progress.
-NYT: If that article was someplace else, but the fact they wrote that article is remarkable admission
-At least one case of ESA abuse, count on me
Q: Public lands represent public assets and lack of valuation - we don’t have it. What steps would you take to improve transparency of this area and ensure valuations reflect value to American people?
-America’s balance sheet: Trump administration has a bit of enthusiasm in conversations with Bessent, Lutnick, and Speaker Johnson
-American Balance Sheet: For our standing in world, we always talk about liabilities and we should talk about our assets in this country. Outpace any place in the world.
-We’ve proven time and again we can do it cleaner and safer here
-If I’m a timber company that owns timber land and it’s not been harvested, I put it on my balance sheet
-When we protect land and it burns, we waste a public asset and produce emissions
-We need to make sure that we’re getting a return on the nation’s balance sheet
-It’ll be hard to develop that, but we did it in ND
-In ND, we found a software company to conclude how much the future value of wells was
-It’s used for estate planning wills
-We can figure it out for the whole country
-We conduct a census within every 10 years, it’s hard work but we find a way
-If every department of the government knows their asset value, then we can come up with a number and make these tradeoffs
-Take all of this offshore out of leasing and that’s viewed as a costless event, at least we can have tradeoff
-Did we just take trillions of dollars of future revenue out of the pockets of future generations?
LEE: PILT, Congress came up with it 50 years ago for public land states to offset lost property tax revenue. It works out okay in some parts, but pennies on the dollar in some places. I’d like to talk to you about making PILT a priority.
Q: Prevent species from ever being listed by recovering through voluntary conservation at state level. Bipartisan Act to help states do that. Kind of approach you could work with us on?
-Absolutely. Super sound principle there, to keep it off a federal designation, working collaboratively with the states. The people that work in game and fish at the state level -- I haven’t met someone on federal level that cares more about soil, air, fish, water, wildlife than people at the state level. You’re entrusting back to the state which is where it belongs.
Q: Instead of an emergency room, which is what the federal list basically is, let’s have primary care. Tribal water settlements are important for water certainty in the west. Commit to continuing department’s work of resolving legal claims of settlements and implement existing settlements
-You have my commitment to work on those important issues
Q: We’ve done work on cleaning up abandoned mines. We don’t agree on wind generation but I would remind you onshore wind is in that basket of multiple use. Can hold it to same standard as oil and gas but can’t deny legally permitted wind generation.
Q: Determining the asset value of what we have – astounding that doesn’t exist. One thing that would contribute to is adequate maintenance budgets. I presume you believe climate change is a problem.
-I believe climate change is a global phenomenon for sure
Q: As governor, you set a goal of carbon neutrality by 2030, achieved in a variety of ways. Worked on carbon neutrality of fossil fuels. I’m worried today, you keep distinguishing between intermittent and baseload. Would you agree renewable resources, solar and wind, can be developed if they can be integrated into grid in a safe and reliable way?
-Yes, they can. It’s not for me political reasons to distinguish, it’s the physics of the grid. If we don’t have enough baseload and it’s the baseload that has allowed the nation to make the investments–
Q: I developed both. I don’t want baseload to be code for no renewables. That’s not what you’re saying?
-No, we need a balance. Renewables are intermittent. Until we have storage solutions, and we are years away, need to have the baseload or intermittent doesn’t have the life
Q: It can be integrated. 35% of ND’s energy comes from wind power. I presume your grid works.
-It’s super stressed. We’re part of two grids. You can have days where rated capacity is 30 and days where wind drives baseload off production. Next day, no wind blowing and you have to crank up baseload again.
Q: That’s why we’ve talked about innovation. Need to work on storage. You would agree that renewables + storage = baseload?
- Yes. At a much higher cost right now. Want it to be reliable and affordable. What costs are we willing to take on to achieve those goals? I believe if its all of the above, if we can decarbonize traditional fuels cheaper than we can subsidize renewables then that should be looked at.
Q: I wouldn’t disagree. I’m a believer in innovation. Cost of solar panels has gone from $70 to 70 cents. Battery storage project in Maine underway. It is based on iron. We’re moving into innovation period will bring storage down. Wind and solar cheapest forms. Storage and backup is part of that calculation. Hope you’ll work with DOE. When I hear baseload used in these contexts it sounds like no renewables, not a sustainable path for this country. And it’s not a path to reducing the problem of climate change which you’ve acknowledged is a serious one.
-We need all forms of electricity. Need more of it in the near term. Not about one versus the other. About how do we increase electricity. I’m an all of the above. Have to do it with affordability and reliability. Future in storage but batteries get better at a rate of 2% a year. No breakthrough coming, it’s improving, but it’s not like microchip.
Q: Resources going into this and iron based grid scale storage, there are opportunities for significant baseload.
Q: You are held in high esteem across this country. Western Governors Association, do they still meet with Secretary of Interior?
-There has been a tradition when they have an annual meeting in DC. I’d look forward to the invitation if you know anyone.
Q: I think other governors watching
-I think your own Governor Polis is chair
Q: I want to talk about Colorado River. Appears to be worst drought in 10,000 years. 40 million people depend on this. Working with upper and lower basin states. Work you’ve done in ND, investments in water infrastructure was a great model for what DOI would have. Look at Colorado River in that sense too. Bureau of Reclamation plays a significant role there too. Finding and incentivizing those innovations – making sure we’re saving water instead of fighting over it. Speak about that. Whole number of river basins in drought right now.
- We’ve got tremendous water resource. Great Lakes, Columbia, Yukon. Mississippi sometimes is flooding while Colorado in drought. Maybe don’t have it all in the right places at the right time. Smart planning, collaboration, innovation. When we’ve been successful in ND with public-private partnerships, it has included solutions with help from the federal. One project – 1/3 federal, 1/3 local and state participating – project is going to get done in 7 years as opposed to 20 years or never. We have water projects at federal level started in 60s that still have fulfilled full mission. There’s an opportunity to work together for solutions.
Q: Bureau Of Reclamations has done a lot of work in Colorado and across the west. Projects are midway. A lot of talk about a tax cut. Hopefully we can protect funds that were committed to various water projects. Worst thing – and this has happened to Colorado -- is when you’re building something and the support goes away
-Agreed. Having a secure and predictable forms of capitol for these projects. When you have instability the people bidding on the projects bid higher. Their insurance companies say don’t do this. When we went to private-public partnership, and create certainty that they would have permits, that lowered the cost and the time to get it done.
Q: We agree completely.
Q: You’ll commit to working on wild horses in Theodore Roosevelt National park?
-Absolutely, the horses are popular
Q: You demonstrated your willingness to work with everyone to achieve good outcomes. That’s what we want. Thank you. Anything for the record you want to add?
-Only thing is that i close with gratitude to Chairman Lee and Ranking Member Heinrich. Thanks for making your members available to me and for today’s hearing.
-Extend invitation to members to come to the grand opening of the THeodore Roosevelt Library opening scheduled for July 4, 2026. It’ll tell the story of leadership and conservation that began with Theodore Roosevelt spending time in ND
-Experiences in ND led him to his record as a roughrider, he saved football, listened to concerns to mothers, many stories about TR that haven’t been told
-Only president to receive Medal of Honor, his son also received Medal of Honor
-Nobel Peace Prize negotiating settlement between Russia and Japan
-Wrote more books and letters than anyone, it’ll be at the library
-Lot of what we know about Roosevelt live on today - Panama Canal would not have happened without him.
-Water: Roosevelt created some of the water systems in AZ
-One of the first wildlife refuges was in ND
-Set up the national park system as we know it today
-As DOI Sec, I look forward to being at the opening of the Library, whole committee is invited
-Again, thank you Senators.
Sen Lee: Closes hearing, thanks witness and staff.
HEARING ADJOURNED