Burgum’s Oil Ties Raise Ethics Concerns Before Confirmation

Burgum’s Oil Ties Raise Ethics Concerns Before Confirmation \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Doug Burgum, Trump’s nominee for Interior Secretary, has extensive ties to the oil industry, raising concerns over potential conflicts of interest. As governor of North Dakota, Burgum maintained close relationships with top energy executives while profiting from oil leases on his family’s land. Democrats and environmentalists worry that his leadership will prioritize fossil fuel expansion over conservation efforts.

Doug Burgum’s Oil Industry Ties – Quick Looks

• Burgum co-hosted oil industry events at the North Dakota governor’s mansion, strengthening relationships with top fracking executives.
• Energy lobbyists sought Burgum’s legal backing in opposing Biden administration climate regulations, emphasizing a “one-two punch” strategy between industry and government.
• As governor, Burgum leased family land to oil companies while overseeing policies that benefited them, raising ethical concerns.
• His nomination as Interior Secretary signals a major shift from Biden’s climate policies to Trump’s pro-drilling agenda.
• Harold Hamm, a fracking mogul and key Trump ally, played a role in Burgum’s rise and gifted him cuff links in appreciation.
• Burgum’s administration frequently assisted Continental Resources, Hamm’s company, even as Burgum received royalties from its oil leases.
• Emails reveal Burgum’s ties with major oil CEOs, including those from Exxon, Chevron, Hess, and Marathon Oil.
• Environmentalists worry Burgum will favor drilling over conservation, given his history of advocating for industry-friendly policies.

Deep Look

As Doug Burgum, the two-term Republican governor of North Dakota, prepares to take the helm of the U.S. Department of the Interior, newly uncovered records paint a picture of a politician deeply intertwined with the oil and gas industry. His extensive ties to fossil fuel executives, oil leases on his family’s land, and history of industry-friendly policymaking are fueling concerns about potential conflicts of interest.

With confirmation expected as soon as Thursday, Burgum’s appointment marks a stark shift from President Biden’s focus on climate action to Trump’s push for expanding domestic drilling. If confirmed, Burgum will oversee federal land use, including decisions on oil and gas leasing—an area where his past alliances raise red flags.

Burgum’s Close Ties to the Oil Industry

North Dakota, the third-largest oil-producing state in the U.S., has long relied on fossil fuel development for economic growth. Burgum’s administration not only worked closely with oil executives but actively assisted industry efforts to roll back climate regulations.

• When the North Dakota Petroleum Council planned a banquet honoring top fracking executives, Burgum co-hosted the event at the governor’s mansion.
• Energy lobbyists contacted Burgum’s office for support in opposing Biden administration greenhouse gas regulations, arguing that fighting these rules required a coordinated effort between government and industry.
• Records obtained by the Associated Press reveal Burgum’s administration provided extensive help to the energy sector, even as he personally profited from oil leases.

Burgum’s Business Interests in Oil and Gas

While championing fossil fuel development as governor, Burgum had a financial stake in the industry. His family leased 200 acres of land to Continental Resources—an oil giant founded by billionaire Harold Hamm, a close Trump ally who played a key role in Burgum’s nomination for Interior Secretary.

Burgum never disclosed his financial ties to Continental while serving as governor. However, when he ran for president in 2023 and was subject to greater transparency requirements, he revealed earning $50,000 in oil royalties from the company.

In response to conflict-of-interest concerns, Burgum has pledged to sell his family’s oil leases and divest from energy stocks worth up to $200,000, including shares in companies he interacted with as governor.

Harold Hamm’s Influence on Burgum’s Political Rise

Among Burgum’s strongest backers in the energy sector is Harold Hamm, the billionaire wildcatter behind North Dakota’s fracking boom. Hamm serves as a key energy advisor to Trump and contributed $250,000 to a super PAC supporting Burgum’s short-lived presidential campaign.

Emails between Burgum and Hamm’s office reveal frequent communication, including policy discussions that aligned with Hamm’s interests:

• In 2020, Hamm’s team sent Burgum a briefing document attacking wind power and calling tax breaks for renewable energy “unconscionable.”
• In 2023, Hamm’s company requested Burgum write a glowing review of his upcoming memoir, which Burgum happily provided.
• Hamm personally gifted Burgum a set of cuff links, thanking him for his friendship and for taking time off his presidential campaign to speak at an energy conference.

Burgum has repeatedly praised Hamm, once comparing him to Teddy Roosevelt in a speech. Meanwhile, Hamm’s company benefited from state policies overseen by Burgum.

Policy Decisions That Benefited Oil Companies

As chairman of North Dakota’s Industrial Commission, which regulates the state’s oil and gas industry, Burgum voted on multiple measures favoring Continental Resources and other major fossil fuel companies.

• He supported a proposed $250 million carbon capture pipeline, partially funded by Hamm, that would transport CO2 to North Dakota for underground storage.
• Critics argue Burgum acted more like an industry cheerleader than a regulator, with former North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Sarah Vogel saying, “He had a promoter’s mindset, which has probably made him beloved in the oil and gas industry.”

High-Level Meetings with Oil Executives

Burgum’s emails and office schedules reveal regular interactions with top oil industry executives, including:

• Vicki Hollub, CEO of Occidental Petroleum, who sought a private dinner with Burgum after discussing energy policy with Trump.
• CEOs from Chevron and Exxon, as well as Marathon Oil and Hess Corporation.
• Burgum spoke at an oil industry board meeting for Hess, despite his family profiting from an oil lease with the company.

Burgum’s Nomination Signals Trump’s Pro-Drilling Agenda

Burgum’s nomination for Interior Secretary represents a sharp policy reversal from Biden’s focus on reducing emissions and limiting fossil fuel expansion. Instead, Burgum’s confirmation aligns with Trump’s push to ramp up oil and gas drilling on federal lands.

The selection of Burgum also follows Trump’s direct appeal to oil executives in 2023, where he encouraged them to donate $1 billion to his campaign in exchange for reversing Biden’s environmental policies.

Concerns Over Burgum’s Potential Conflicts of Interest

With oversight of federal oil and gas leasing, conservation efforts, and tribal land policies, Burgum’s past business ties and industry favoritism raise serious concerns among Democrats and environmentalists.

At his Senate confirmation hearing, Democratic Senator Mazie Hirono directly challenged Burgum, asking whether he would prioritize conservation or push for unchecked fossil fuel extraction. “Are you going to protect our resources, or are you going to ‘drill, baby, drill?’” she asked.

As confirmation looms, many wonder whether Burgum will continue to act as a champion for the oil industry or adopt a more balanced approach to public land management.

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