The Secretary of the Interior is the most important energy production position in the US govt, particularly for the offshore sector.
In recent years energy policy has been increasingly influenced (if not directed) by White House staff, most notably the White House Climate Office. Given that Burgum will also lead the new created National Energy Council, direction from White House staffers or other departments should not be an issue.
Burgum should work effectively with Dept. of Energy appointee Chris Wright, an engineer who understands energy production.
There is no apparent Republican dissent, so Burgum should have no problem being confirmed.
All of the offshore policy forecasts in the post-election post still stand.
Burgum is currently the Governor of North Dakota. Some energy production stats for the state:
ND ranks 4th if the OCS, for which Bergum will soon be responsible, is included. The OCS ranked 2nd in oil production, behind only TX, despite seemingly being managed to fail.
Wind: In 2023, wind was the second-largest electricity generating source in ND behind coal. At the beginning of 2024, ND had about 4,000 megawatts of installed wind power generating capacity.
What about carbon sequestration (disposal)?
As Governor, Burgum supported CCS projects that could be lucrative for North Dakota.
As Interior Secretary and Energy Czar, he will have to consider the high Federal subsidy costs, efficacy, and net environmental benefits.
Companies looking to benefit from publicly financed CCS projects will lobby hard for Federal support. Budget hawks and most environmental activists will be strongly opposed. It will be interesting to see who prevails.
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