Senator Martin Heinrich questioned Secretary Doug Burgum of the Department of the Interior during a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing on May 1 regarding recent staffing reductions at the department and delays in permitting for clean energy projects.
The discussion focused on concerns about nearly 20 percent of Interior staff leaving or being encouraged to retire, as well as claims that the administration is hindering progress on wind and solar projects. These issues are significant because they may impact bipartisan support for permitting reform, which is seen as necessary to facilitate new energy developments.
Heinrich said, “I am concerned that over the last year, we have seen a hollowing out of the Department of Interior. Nearly 20 percent of Department of Interior staff have been either pushed out or have left or have retired, and yet, the Department recently offered another round of deferred resignations. And I hear from my state, on the ground, about not being able to get messages returned, phone calls back, permits approved. So why is the Department continuing to offer buyouts and deferred resignations when that only deepens our ability to actively manage these landscapes?”
Burgum responded by rejecting claims that employees were forced out: “Well, first of all, I would just say that I reject the overall thesis that somehow we have... No one's been pushed out. The only way people have left is with voluntary retirement programs.” He explained further details about voluntary retirement offers and staffing structure within different departments.
The conversation then turned to alleged slow-walking of clean energy project permits after a federal judge issued an injunction against departmental policies blocking such projects. Heinrich pressed Burgum: “Last week, a federal judge determined that wind and solar companies are likely to prevail in their lawsuit against the Trump administration's policies blocking those energy projects... Will you comply with that judge's order?”
Burgum replied: “First of all, we disagree vehemently with a District D.C. judge's view...” He added later: “The Solicitor's Department will respond to any active litigation.” Heinrich emphasized bipartisan cooperation was at risk if confidence in fair permitting was not restored: “If permitting reform is a priority... there is not a thumb on the scale...”
Both sides agreed in principle about improving fairness in project reviews moving forward. The exchange concluded with Heinrich stating there are six reviewed projects awaiting only Burgum’s signature for approval.
