CNN, Washington, D.C.President Donald Trump's selections to lead energy and environmental policy were confirmed by U.S. Senate committees on Thursday. If supported by the entire Senate, these individuals will aim to maximize the production of fossil fuels and dismantle portions of climate policy.


Doug Burgum, a former governor of North Dakota, was approved by the panel 18–2 to head the U.S. Department of Interior and a new national council on energy, which is anticipated to increase oil and gas output.

Additionally, Chris Wright, the Energy Department's choice and the CEO of Liberty Energy, an oilfield services firm, was approved by the committee by a vote of 15 to 5.

Additionally, Trump's candidate to lead the Environmental Protection Agency, former U.S. Representative Lee Zeldin, was approved by the Senate environment committee by a vote of 11–8.

The nominations will then be reviewed by the entire Senate, which is controlled by Trump's Republican party.

Burgum has declared that boosting energy production from U.S. public lands and waters is essential to national security and that he will actively pursue this goal.

A dramatic shift in policy was indicated by Burgum's remarks to senators during his nomination hearing. For years, former President Joe Biden attempted to restrict oil and gas production by lowering federal lease auctions and prohibiting further extraction in certain offshore waters as part of his attempts to combat climate change.

In a study he prepared while at Liberty, Wright argues that the "distant" threat of climate change is not as important as the need to eradicate global poverty, which he believes can be achieved through fossil fuels. If the Senate gives its approval, he will leave the corporation.


Wright remarked during his nomination hearing that the wildfires that ravaged Los Angeles are "heartbreaking," but he maintained his earlier remarks regarding wildfires on social media.

Wright claimed on social media in 2023 that the "hype over wildfires is just hype to justify" climate change mitigation measures.

California Democrat Senator Alex Padilla, who voted against Wright, claimed that his remarks on wildfires and his inability to take back his remarks "made it impossible for me to support his nomination."

According to Republican Senator Mike Lee, Wright and Burgum have demonstrated their dedication to implementing Trump's strategy to "unleash American energy by ending the policies of climate alarmism and extremism."

Zeldin frequently voted against laws pertaining to environmental matters, including as one that would have prevented oil firms from raising prices.

At his nomination hearing, Zeldin stated that while he thinks climate change is serious and a threat, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is only allowed to regulate carbon dioxide emissions; it is not obligated to do so.

It seems probable that Zeldin would be assigned to implement a number of Trump's executive orders, such as advising the Office of Management and Budget on "the legality and continuing applicability" of the 2009 greenhouse gas endangerment finding.

The Supreme Court upheld that conclusion, allowing the EPA to take action to control those emissions.