Doug Burgum is hitting the ground running after his confirmation as President Trump's Interior Secretary - moving quickly to reverse the Biden administration's "coercive" climate agenda and unleash oil and gas production.

Secretary Burgum's initial actions are consistent with Trump's pledge to ease the cost of living for Americans by deregulating fossil fuel - summarized in Trump's campaign motto "drill baby drill."

Burgum targets Biden agenda

Burgum's orders closely mirror the president's executive orders concerning energy production, which prioritize expanding fossil fuel and winding down Biden's "green new scam."

To start with, Burgum ordered a review of "all emergency and legal authorities available" to expand the energy supply in response to President Trump's declaration of a national energy emergency. Burgum called for immediate action to establish a "reliable, diversified, growing and affordable supply of energy."

Burgum also ordered a review of appropriations in Biden's so-called Inflation Reduction Act, which heavily subsidized green corporations, "to ensure consistency with President Trump’s energy dominance policies." Biden regularly touted the IRA as the most ambitious climate bill in U.S. history.

"Interior will focus on ways to eliminate harmful, coercive climate policies and lower the cost of energy, which in turn will restore purchasing power to the everyday American and improve overall quality of life," a Department of Interior press release said.

Burgum also established "immediate compliance" with Trump's executive orders to end Biden's restrictions on offshore drilling in the Outer Continental Shelf.

"An exciting chapter"

Meanwhile, Burgum targeted regulations on the development of Alaska's abundant natural resources, revoking a 2021 order from his predecessor, Deb Haaland, that barred oil and gas drilling in the 19-million-acre Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

“Today marks the beginning of an exciting chapter for the Department of the Interior,” said Secretary Doug Burgum.

"We are committed to working collaboratively to unlock America’s full potential in energy dominance and economic development to make life more affordable for every American family while showing the world the power of America’s natural resources and innovation. Together, we will ensure that our policies reflect the needs of our communities, respect tribal sovereignty, and drive innovation that will keep the U.S. at the forefront of energy and environmental leadership.”

While environmental groups have, of course, condemned Burgum's initial actions, those in the energy industry have given praise.

"These actions will align U.S. energy policy with the nation’s current and future needs,” National Ocean Industries Association President Erik Milito said. “They will enhance energy security, bolster national defense, grow our economy, and keep energy affordable for every household and business, reducing reliance on foreign adversaries.”