The land in Utah owned by the federal government — about two-thirds of the state — is now under new management.
The U.S. Senate on Thursday confirmed former North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum as Secretary of the Interior by a vote of 79 to 18. The Department of the Interior houses the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation and Bureau of Indian Affairs.
President Donald Trump, on his first day in office, promised to “unleash America’s affordable and reliable energy and natural resources” on federal land.
“President Trump’s energy dominance vision will end those wars abroad, will make life more affordable for every family in America by driving down inflation,” Burgum said before his confirmation hearing Jan. 16, “and President Trump will achieve those goals while championing clean air, clean water and protecting our beautiful lands.”
Utah Sen. Mike Lee said that Burgum’s confirmation “is a win for public lands and a win for American energy.”
“He has spent his career bringing people together to solve problems and earned the trust of tribes, businesses, conservationists, and working families alike,” Lee continued. “He understands that we cannot regulate our way into prosperity.”
Lee and Sen. John Curtis both voted to confirm Burgum.
Here’s what the new Interior secretary has said about Utah and the environmental issues facing the Beehive State.
Energy
Burgum said America is experiencing an “energy crisis,” especially a shortage of base load power often provided by fossil fuels like coal and natural gas, during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.
“We need an all-of-the-above strategy,” he said, “and the thing we’re short of most right now is base load.”
He expressed support for “clean coal” to provide that base load power. That term has been contested by environmental groups, since the technologies that make emissions-heavy coal cleaner to burn are expensive and not always effective.
Burgum also emphasized the connection between American energy production and national security. “Without base load,” he said, “we’re going to lose the [artificial intelligence] arms race to China.”
“We’re exposed to supply chains that depend on our adversaries,” he continued. “Whether it’s critical minerals from China or heating oil from Russia or uranium from Russia, we can’t be dependent on them. We have the resources here, and we need to develop them.”
“Secretary Burgum has to decide if he will be a force for chaos or consistency on America’s public lands, “ said Jennifer Rokala, executive director of the environmental nonprofit Center for Western Priorities, in a statement responding to his confirmation.
“When Donald Trump inevitably orders him to illegally revoke existing permits for renewable energy,” she continued, “will he have the spine to tell the president ‘no’? If oil and gas billionaires tell Burgum to ignore the bedrock laws that protect America’s lands, waters, and wildlife, will Burgum tell the oligarchs ‘no’?”
National monuments
Burgum indicated that he may review national monument designations in Utah.
Lee, who chairs the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, asked Burgum about how he would enforce the Antiquities Act of 1906. That law allows the president to designate national monuments, like Grand Staircase-Escalante and Bears Ears in southern Utah. Both of those monuments were minimized by Trump in 2017, then restored by Biden in 2021.
Burgum said the Antiquities Act’s “original intention was to protect, as it says, antiquities, areas like Indian Jones-type archaeological protections.”
“These are essential that we protect these areas as a country and that’s what the law was intended,” he continued. “But I would look forward to working with you in the area of local consultation, because when the federal government overreaches into a state like yours…it’s got tremendous impact on tribes, on the local communities.”
“I just think it’s important that we strike the right balance,” Burgum said.
Public lands are ‘America’s balance sheet’
Burgum wants to promote multiple uses — like grazing, timber, oil and gas, mining and recreation — on the country’s public lands.
“This land was put away for the benefit and use and the enjoyment of the American people, and not every acre of federal land is a national park or a wilderness area,” he said. “Some of those areas we have to absolutely protect for their precious stuff, but the rest of it, this is America’s balance sheet.”
The Department of the Interior manages 500 million acres of public land, 700 million acres of sub-surface minerals and 1.7 billion off-shore acres. Burgum said those resources are “assets” that could be developed.
“If we restrict access, we don’t cut a tree, we don’t use them for recreation, and then we don’t develop the minerals sustainably and in a smart way,” he said, “then we get a super low return for the American people.”
Lauren Hainsworth, legislative advocate for the environmental nonprofit Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, said “management of federal public lands in Utah requires a thoughtful, balanced approach” in a statement.
She added that under Burgum’s leadership, “the scales will be wildly tipped in favor of extractive industry and fossil fuels. Utah’s red rock country and wildest places are national treasures and should be conserved, not exploited.”
Housing on public land
Burgum said there could be opportunities for land swaps between the federal government and states for housing development.
“In my discussion and friendship with Gov. Spencer Cox of your state, I know [housing affordability] is a high priority for him and for the state,” Burgum said.
“There’s pathways we can find, particularly in states like yourselves and others that have 50 to 60% or more of your land held by the federal government,” he continued, “that we can find appropriate solutions to help address the housing.”
Critics of opening public lands for housing have said the policy could facilitate the building of expensive second homes, not affordable, high-density housing.
Colorado River
Western states that depend on the Colorado River continue to negotiate over the future management of the river and its reservoirs, since current guidelines expire in 2026.
“We’re going to look for a collaborative solution that serves everyone,” Burgum said about that process. “We’re going to have to look for innovation on ways on the conservation side because we can’t make more water, but if we can use what we have wisely, that’s going to look for the best solutions for all.”
