North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum is set to lead a new "National Energy Council" in addition to being Interior secretary, President-elect Trump said Friday.
Why it matters: The dual roles would give Burgum a major hand in setting the "drill baby, drill" energy policy agenda in Trump 2.0.
Driving the news: The new council will "consist of all Departments and Agencies involved in the permitting, production, generation, distribution, regulation, transportation, of ALL forms of American Energy," Trump said in a statement.
- Burgum, as chair, will also get a seat on the National Security Council.
- That's consistent with the "energy czar" role that many thought Burgum might play in Trump's administration after he became a key campaign surrogate this year.
- It's also similar to the energy task force led by then-Vice President Dick Cheney during the George W. Bush administration.
Catch up quick: Trump announced his intention to nominate Burgum to Interior during a speech Thursday night. His statement today made that official.
