HYDE-SMITH EAGER FOR NEW LEADERSHIP UNDER BURGUM, TRUMP PICK TO LEAD INTERIOR DEPT.
Miss. Senator Promotes Off-Shore Energy, Miss. National Park Sites at Gov. Doug Burgum Confirmation Hearing
VIDEO: Senator Hyde-Smith Engages Interior Secretary Nominee Burgum on National Park Service Projects in Mississippi, Offshore Energy Production.
PHOTO: Senator Hyde-Smith Met with Governor Burgum on December 11, 2024.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today welcomed the prospect of a sea change in leadership at the U.S. Department of the Interior as President-elect Trump’s nominee committed to carrying out the incoming administration’s goal of U.S. energy dominance.
Hyde-Smith serves on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, which conducted a confirmation hearing on North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum’s nomination to be Secretary of the Interior, a position that will influence offshore energy projection and heritage protections in Mississippi.
“Doug Burgum is incredibly capable of leading the Interior Department, and I am eager for his ability to implement a pro-energy, pro-America agenda as Secretary,” Hyde-Smith said following the hearing.
Hyde-Smith, who has consistently fought the Biden administration’s mismanagement of offshore lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico, questioned Burgum on whether the Interior Department would develop a new five-year plan governing such sales.
“Offshore oil and gas production in the Gulf of Mexico, of course, plays a vital role in Gulf States’ economies,” Hyde-Smith said. “It is important that the Department maintain a steady leasing schedule to ensure companies can continue the opportunities to explore for new production to support affordable and reliable energy... Will it be a priority for Interior to develop and finalize a new five-year plan?”
Burgum responded that assuring the nation’s future would require energy dominance, which includes more energy production.
“Getting lease sales to be regular, predictable, and at level that allows us to maintain energy projection in our country is a minimum standard,” Burgum said. “The fact that during the current administration, the lease sales have been unpredictable and disruptive, and the fact that they’re projecting forward to have among the fewest we’ve ever had, almost would guarantees we would see a decline in energy production in the years ahead because of the lead times.”
Hyde-Smith also sought Burgum’s commitment to support ongoing public-private projects to enhance visitors’ experiences at the Vicksburg National Military Park and Natchez National Historical Park sites. She also extended an invitation for Burgum to visit the state.
“William Faulkner once said, ‘To understand the world, you must first understand a place like Mississippi.’ We’re very blessed with several National Park Service and several sites in Mississippi that contribute to our tourism and the economy of our state. We work closely with them through public-private partnerships,” Hyde-Smith said. “We want to make sure that continues.”
Burgum said he appreciated the invitation, adding, “We need to take care of these sites whether historic or others. We have to make sure they’re capable of handling the visitors who want to see them. We know they are great for the local economy.”
Burgum’s nomination requires an affirmative vote from the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee before it can be referred to the full Senate for confirmation.
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