The U.S. Senate voted Thursday to confirm former North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum to lead the Department of Interior. During his confirmation hearing, Burgum emphasized a commitment to advancing U.S. energy production in President Donald Trump’s administration.

In addition to running the Interior Department, Doug Burgum will also serve as energy czar and chair of a White House energy council.

Former Governor Doug Burgum’s nomination as Secretary of the Interior earned the support of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Thursday in Washington, DC.

President Trump's nominees for top posts in his administration are gearing up for their Senate confirmation hearings, which kicked off earlier this month.

It came hours after he announced he was immediately appointing Christopher Rocheleau, a 22-year veteran of the agency, in the wake of the deadly plane crash in Washington. "He's a very capable guy," Trump said of Rocheleau as he signed the order.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (North Dakota Monitor) – During Doug Burgum’s two terms as North Dakota governor, the state repeatedly sued the U.S. Department of the Interior, attempting to rip up rules that govern federal lands in his state and across the country.

Former North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for secretary of the Interior, speaks during a confirmation hearing before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources ...

Emails obtained by the Associated Press reveal Doug Burgum as North Dakota governor aided oil and gas executives and leveraged connections to boost his profile.

Emails obtained by the Associated Press reveal Doug Burgum as North Dakota governor aided oil and gas executives and leveraged connections to boost his profile.

Director of News and Editorial Content, Morning News Anchor, Host of WBGO Journal and Host of SportsJam with Doug Doyle and The Art of the Story podcasts Doug Doyle has been News Director at WBGO since 1998 and has taken his department to new heights in ...

“Doug Burgum’s blatant conflicts with the oil ... director of the Native American Law Center at the University of Washington School of Law, said he is watching how Burgum will work with ...