Highlights:
Burgum Criticized The Biden White House For Trying To Shift The Country Away From Fossil Fuels. According to the Associated Press, “North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum on Tuesday praised the oil and gas industry for being a ‘powerhouse’ and ‘game-changer’ for the state’s economy, and bashed the White House for trying to shift the country away from climate change-causing fossil fuels.” [Associated Press, 3/7/23]
Burgum Joined Other Republican Governors To Say Biden Was Trying To “Shut Down Liquid Fuel.” According to the New York Times, “Last week, Governor Burgum traveled to Louisiana to stand with several other Republican governors in front of a diesel refinery and make the case that President Biden was trying to ‘shut down liquid fuel.’” [New York Times, 6/9/24]
Burgum Said The U.S. Had The Potential To Be A “Huge Energy Powerhouse” If The Biden Administration Were Not Trying To Shut Down The Industry. According to Fox Business, “The United States ‘could be a huge energy powerhouse if the Biden administration wasn't trying to shut down the U.S. industry,’ Burgum said.” [Fox Business, 7/20/23]
Burgum Said The Biden Administration Was “Trying To Basically Shut Down U.S. Energy.” According to POLITICO, “‘As someone that runs a natural resource state’ and served under both Trump and Biden, Burgum told Tapper, ‘the difference is night and day for our citizens, for our small businesses … we’re under a barrage of red tape that’s trying to basically shut down U.S. energy.’” [POLITICO, 5/9/24]
Burgum Criticized Biden’s Cancellation Of The Keystone XL Pipeline. According to the Wall Street Journal, “‘The Keystone XL Pipeline was a legally permitted project that was moving a legally permitted product,’ Mr. Burgum says, until Mr. Biden canceled it by fiat on Inauguration Day. ‘How do you get anything built in this country, if you think the next president is going to whack it on day one?’” [Wall Street Journal, 7/21/23]
Burgum Said Biden Revoking The Keystone XL Pipeline Permit Was Wrong For The Country And Would Chill Private-Sector Infrastructure Projects. According to a press release from Governor Burgum, “In North Dakota, we’ve experienced first-hand how major, modern pipeline infrastructure and an all-of-the-above energy strategy can create high-paying jobs, strengthen the economy, move product to market in the safest and most efficient manner, and advance U.S. energy independence. The Keystone XL pipeline accomplishes all of these goals, and revoking the permit is wrong for the country and has a chilling effect on private-sector investment in much-needed infrastructure projects, which is why we urge the President to reconsider.” [Governor Burgum Press Release, 1/20/21]
NORTH DAKOTA LED PUSHBACK IN ASKING A FEDERAL COURT TO REVIEW NEW EPA COAL RULES
North Dakota Led Pushback In Asking A Federal Court To Review New EPA Coal Rules. According to South Dakota Searchlight, “South Dakota has joined a group of states, led by North Dakota and West Virginia, in asking a federal court to review new pollution standards impacting the coal industry. Attorneys general from 23 states signed the petition asking for a review of the regulations that took effect Tuesday. The final proposed rules became public on April 25. ‘This rule intentionally sets impossible standards to destroy the coal industry,’ North Dakota Attorney General Drew Wrigley said in a news release.” [South Dakota Searchlight, 5/9/24]
BURGUM SENT LETTER TO BIDEN ADMINISTRATION CALLING FOR DECREASED REGULATION ON DOMESTIC ENERGY PRODUCTION
Burgum And 19 Other Republican Governors Sent Letter To Biden Administration Calling For Decreased Regulation On Domestic Energy Production. According to a press release from Governor Burgum, “Gov. Doug Burgum today joined 19 fellow Republican governors in sending a letter to President Biden urging his administration to unleash American energy and end the regulatory overreach that’s restricting domestic production. Burgum and eight GOP governors announced the letter and outlined their concerns and requests of the Biden administration during a press conference at PBF Energy’s refinery in Chalmette, Louisiana. The letter was signed by the governors of Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia and Wyoming. ‘As governors, we are extremely concerned with the impacts your energy policies are having on households across our country and call on you to pursue an all-of-the-above energy approach that will promote homegrown energy that benefits all Americans,’ the letter states. The governors called on Biden ‘to pause the rhetorical and regulatory hostility towards traditional energy and to include states as active participants in further rulemaking,’ and to allow free markets to flow and adopt an all-of-the-above homegrown energy plan that includes traditional and renewable energy sources.” [Governor Burgum Press Release, 6/3/24]
Burgum Supported Repealing The Inflation Reduction Act. According to the Wall Street Journal, “Paul Gigot: Would you repeal the Inflation Reduction Act if you had a chance? Would you try to? Doug Burgum: Yeah.” [Wall Street Journal, 7/10/23]
The Inflation Reduction Act Included A Package Of Tax Credits To Incentivize Wind, Solar, And Renewable Energy. According to the Washington Post, “To respond to a rapidly warming planet, Democrats set aside about $370 billion for energy security and climate change. The investments include a bevy of tax credits to incentivize wind, solar and other renewable power sources, while helping people purchase new or used electric vehicles and install energy-efficient heating and cooling systems in their homes.” [Washington Post, 8/7/22]
The Inflation Reduction Act Included Investments To Help People Buy New Or Used Electric Vehicles. According to the Washington Post, “To respond to a rapidly warming planet, Democrats set aside about $370 billion for energy security and climate change. The investments include a bevy of tax credits to incentivize wind, solar and other renewable power sources, while helping people purchase new or used electric vehicles and install energy-efficient heating and cooling systems in their homes.” [Washington Post, 8/7/22]
The Bill Provided $3 Billion For Zero-Emission Vehicles For The U.S. Postal Service. According to Congressional Quarterly, “The bill would provide funding for various activities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote energy-efficient technologies and mitigate the impacts of climate change, including […] $3 billion for zero-emission vehicles for the Postal Service;” [Congressional Quarterly, 8/7/22]
The Inflation Reduction Act Included Increased Tax Credits For New Energy-Efficient Residencies. According to Congressional Quarterly, the Inflation Reduction Act “increase[d] credits for new energy efficient homes.” [Congressional Quarterly, 8/7/22]
The Inflation Reduction Act Included Investments To Help People Implement Energy-Efficient Heating And Cooling Systems In Their Residential Homes. According to the Washington Post, “To respond to a rapidly warming planet, Democrats set aside about $370 billion for energy security and climate change. The investments include a bevy of tax credits to incentivize wind, solar and other renewable power sources, while helping people purchase new or used electric vehicles and install energy-efficient heating and cooling systems in their homes.” [Washington Post, 8/7/22]
The Inflation Reduction Act Provided $3 Billion For Environmental And Climate Justice Block Grants For Community Projects To Address Pollution, Lowering Emissions, Climate Resiliency, And Public Engagement. According to Congressional Quarterly, the Inflation Reduction Act provided “$3 billion for new EPA environmental and climate justice block grants for community-led activities to address pollution, emission reduction, climate resiliency and public engagement.” [Senate Vote 325, 8/7/22; Congressional Quarterly, 8/7/22; Congressional Actions, S.Amdt. 5194; Congressional Actions, H.R. 5376]
The Bill Provided $27 Billion In Grants For State, Local, And Non-Profit Entities To Address Greenhouse Gas Emissions. According to Congressional Quarterly, “The bill would provide funding for various activities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote energy-efficient technologies and mitigate the impacts of climate change, including $27 billion for grants to state, local and nonprofit entities for greenhouse gas emission reduction activities;” [Congressional Quarterly, 8/7/22]
The Bill Provided $9.7 Billion For Zero-Emission Or Carbon Capture Rural Electric Systems. According to Congressional Quarterly, “The bill would provide funding for various activities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote energy-efficient technologies and mitigate the impacts of climate change, including […] $9.7 billion for zero-emission or carbon capture rural electric systems;” [Congressional Quarterly, 8/7/22]
The Bill Provided $1.6 Billion For Methane Emissions Reduction And Mitigation. According to Congressional Quarterly, “The bill would provide funding for various activities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote energy-efficient technologies and mitigate the impacts of climate change, including […] $1.6 billion for methane emissions reduction and mitigation.” [Congressional Quarterly, 8/7/22]
The Inflation Reduction Act Created A $1.5 Billion Program That Included Incentives For Companies That Reduce Methane Emissions And Penalties For Companies That Do Not Mitigate Methane Emissions. According to the Washington Post, “The bill creates a $1.5 billion program that includes new payments for companies that cut emissions of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, with some penalties for those firms that do not.” [Washington Post, 8/7/22]
The Bill Reinstated The Superfund Tax On Crude Oil At A Higher Tax Rate To Support The Clean-Up Of Contaminated And Polluted Sites. According to Congressional Quarterly, “The measure would also reinstate the lapsed ‘Superfund’ tax on oil producers and importers at a higher rate, with the money going to help clean up contaminated sites.” [Congressional Quarterly, 8/7/22]
Burgum Blasted The Biden Administration’s Push For Electric Vehicles. According to News from the States, “Gov. Doug Burgum bashed the idea of electric vehicles in North Dakota as the state Industrial Commission passed, at least for now, on funding a regional plan for EVs. […] The plan has an overall price tag of $1.875 million, funded in part by the federal Department of Energy and Department of Transportation. Burgum said his interactions with the federal agencies show that they do not understand the limitations of electric vehicles in a cold climate.” [News from the States, 4/30/24]
Burgum Spokesperson: “Anyone Who Cares About The Climate Should Want As Much Energy Produced In America As Possible And Sold Around The Globe.” According to the Washington Post, “Yet Burgum is keenly aware of his state’s marriage to the oil and gas industry, recently praising its provision of jobs for tens of thousands of North Dakotans and in his climate initiatives adopting a carbon capture — rather than fossil fuel elimination — approach. ‘Anyone who cares about the climate should want as much energy produced in America as possible and sold around the globe,’ said Lance Trover, a spokesperson for Burgum. ‘We can maintain a clean environment while supporting an all-of-the-above energy strategy that includes both fossil fuels and renewable sources.’” [Washington Post, 6/16/23]
Burgum Supported Fracking In North Dakota. According to the Wall Street Journal, “One thing Mr. Burgum thinks North Dakota can teach the country is how to keep the lights on and address climate change at the same time. He’s a fracking enthusiast with a CEO’s attention to detail. The Bakken Shale, 2 miles down, is only 30 feet thick, Mr. Burgum says, but that’s no trouble for today’s horizontal drillers. ‘The majority of the wells we’re permitting now are 3-mile laterals,’ he says. Some are 4 miles, unlocking more energy for the same footprint on the surface.” [Wall Street Journal, 7/21/23]
January 2023: Burgum Said He Would Sue Minnesota If They Signed A Bill Into Law Mandating A Transition To Clean Energy By 2040. According to the Minnesota Reformer, “North Dakota’s governor and other top elected officials on Tuesday threatened a lawsuit in a letter to Gov. Tim Walz and other state officials over Minnesota’s potential move away from fossil fuels. Gov. Doug Burgum urged Walz, Attorney General Keith Ellison, Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen and legislative leaders to amend the bills currently being considered that would mandate 100% carbon-free energy by 2040, or else face the ‘certainty of a lawsuit.’” [Minnesota Reformer, 1/25/23]
February 2023: Walz Signed The Bill Into Law. According to a press release from Gov. Tim Walz, “Governor Tim Walz today signed into law legislation establishing a Minnesota carbon-free electricity standard. With Senate File 4, Minnesota will take steps to lower greenhouse gas emissions, combat the climate crisis, and create new clean energy jobs. The new law ensures Minnesotans will continue to have reliable, affordable, and safe energy resources. Governor Walz signed the bill alongside legislators, labor, and environmental advocates at the St. Paul Regional Labor Center.” [Gov. Tim Walz Press Release, 2/7/23]
October 2023: North Dakota Was Looking Into Suing Minnesota. According to Renewable Energy World, “In response to this new bill, North Dakota has threatened to sue Minnesota over its clean energy initiatives. North Dakota is a state known for its vast reserves of coal, oil, and natural gas and has a significant stake in the energy industry. With the new clean energy goals in the neighboring state of Minnesota, North Dakota sees a potential threat to its energy revenue. The prevailing fear is that, as Minnesota transitions away from fossil fuels and invests more in renewable energy sources, the demand for fossil fuels will decrease, directly impacting North Dakota’s economy and workforce. […] The state’s government is actively evaluating whether it can file a lawsuit against Minnesota, arguing that the new clean energy goals could be in violation of interstate commerce laws and infringe upon North Dakota’s economic sovereignty. This potential legal battle has the potential to escalate tensions between the two neighboring states.” [Renewable Energy World, 10/2/23]
2017: Burgum Signed Into Law Legislation That Limited Penalties For Environmental Audits. In March 2017, Doug Burgum signed House Bill 1336 into law. The bill, according to the North Dakota Legislature, “provide[d] for limitations of penalties for environmental audits.” [North Dakota Legislature, accessed 6/7/24; North Dakota Legislature, H.B. 1336]
2017: Burgum Signed Into Law Legislation That Removed A Requirement That All Oil And Gas Spills Be Reported And Instead Required Only Spills Of Certain Volume, Type Of Fluid, And Location To Be Reported. In March 2017, Doug Burgum signed into law House Bill 1151. The bill, according to the North Dakota legislature, “amend[ed] and reenact[ed] section 38-08-04 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the reporting of well pad or oil and gas production facility fluid spills [...] as follows: [...] A person controlling or operating a well, pipeline, receiving tank, storage tank, treating plant, or other receptacle or production facility associated with oil and gas, or with water production, injection, processing, or well servicing, shall report to the commission any leak, spill, or release of fluid. A report to the commission is not required if the leak, spill, or release is crude oil, produced water, or natural gas liquids in a quantity of less than ten barrels cumulative over a fifteen-day time period, remains on the site or facility, and is on a well site where the well was spud after September 1, 2000, or on a facility, other than a well site, constructed after September 1, 2000. 3. Any written violation notice issued by the commission regarding the notification of a fire, leak, spill, blowout, or leak and spill cleanup must be placed in the well file or facility file and the files must be available for review by the surface owner.” [North Dakota Legislature, accessed 5/15/24; North Dakota Legislature, H.B. 1151]
Continental Resources Was The Largest Oil And Gas Leaseholder In North Dakota. According to CNBC, “Burgum’s ties to Hamm and the shale oil drilling giant he founded are complex. Continental is the largest oil and gas leaseholder in North Dakota, where oil and gas is the biggest industry by revenue. [CNBC, 5/21/24]
Burgum And Harold Hamm Had A Preexisting Personal Relationship. According to CNBC, “The two men also have a friendship outside of business: Burgum recently contributed a rave review blurb to Hamm’s new memoir. And during his 2023 state of the state address, Burgum compared Hamm favorably to President Theodore Roosevelt, describing Hamm as a person ‘whose grit, resilience, hard work and determination has changed North Dakota and our nation.’” [CNBC, 5/21/24]
Harold Hamm Was The Billionaire Founder And Executive Chairman Of Shale Oil Drilling Giant Continental Resources. According to CNBC, “If former President Donald Trump taps North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum to be his running mate, the biggest beneficiary of the partnership could be someone else entirely: Harold Hamm, the billionaire founder and executive chairman of shale oil drilling giant Continental Resources, who could end up with two powerful allies in a Trump White House. [CNBC, 5/21/24]
Burgum’s Family Leased 200 Acres Of Farmland To Continental Resources For The Company To Pump Oil And Gas On. According to CNBC, “But Burgum has an even more personal link to Continental: Burgum’s family leases 200 acres of farmland in Williams County to the energy giant for the company to pump oil and gas, according to previously unreported business records and a federal financial disclosure report.” [CNBC, 5/21/24]
The Contract Between The Burgum Farm Partnership And Continental Resources Was Drawn Up Before Burgum Became Governor. According to CNBC, “The original agreement between the Burgum Farm Partnership and Continental Resources was signed by Bradley Burgum, the governor’s late brother, according to a land lease reviewed by CNBC. Burgum spokesman Mike Nowatzki told CNBC the contract was drawn up years before the governor was sworn into office in 2017. [CNBC, 5/21/24]
Burgum Was A Managing Partner Of The Burgum Farm Partnership, Which Was Worth Between $500,001 And $1 Million. According to CNBC, “The Burgum Farm Partnership LLP, which oversees the family farm land in Williams County and Cass County, is worth between $500,001 and $1 million, according to the financial disclosure. Doug Burgum is a managing partner of the Burgum Farm Partnership, and he signed the businesses’ latest annual report in March. Burgum’s financial disclosure says the governor is a non-managing member and the company is a “family investment” limited liability partnership. The company’s annual report that was filed to the secretary of state’s office in April lists Burgum, his late brother’s two children, his sister, Barbara, and his own three adult children as managing partners of the family business. [CNBC, 5/21/24]
Burgum Made Up To $50,000 In Royalties Since Late 2022 From The Deal With Continental Resources. According to CNBC, “Burgum has made up to $50,000 in royalties since late 2022, while he’s been governor, from the deal with Continental Resources, according to his financial disclosure, details of which have not been reported.” [CNBC, 5/21/24]
Continental Resources Provided The Burgum Farm Partnership With 19% Of The Proceeds From The Sales Of Oil And Gas That Continental Sold After It Was Pumped From The Burgum Property. According to CNBC, “The oil and gas land deal says Continental Resources provides the Burgum Farm Partnership 19% of the proceeds from the sales of oil and gas Continental sold after it is pumped from the Burgum property, according to the contract and experts who reviewed the records. [CNBC, 5/21/24]
2022: Hamm Announced Continental Resources Was Investing $250 Million Into A Carbon Capture Pipeline In North Dakota. According to CNBC, “Hamm’s company has had extensive business in North Dakota for over a decade, and the state is ranked in the top three states to produce oil. In 2022, Hamm announced Continental Resources was investing $250 million into a pipeline that spanned 2,000 miles to capture carbon dioxide and pump it underground for storage in North Dakota. Last year, Hamm donated $50 million to a planned library in North Dakota honoring Roosevelt.” [CNBC, 5/21/24]
Carbon Capture Pipeline Could Result In About $1.5 Billion Annually In Federal Tax Credits For Summit Carbon Solutions. According to the New York Times, “It would also mean about $1.5 billion annually in federal tax credits for Summit Carbon Solutions and the project’s investors, including Mr. Hamm, thanks to the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, which includes tax credits of $85 per ton for carbon dioxide captured from industrial facilities and stored underground.” [New York Times, 6/9/24]
Burgum Helped Connect Trump With Oil Billionaires. According to the New York Times, “He [Burgum] quickly endorsed Mr. Trump and joined his campaign, serving as an informal adviser on energy and helping to connect Mr. Trump with oil billionaires, according to two people familiar with the campaign.” [New York Times, 6/9/24]
April 2024: Burgum Helped Bring Oil And Gas Executives To Mar-A-Lago. According to the New York Times, “In April, Governor Burgum helped to bring oil and gas executives to Mar-a-Lago, Mr. Trump’s private resort in Florida, for a now-infamous dinner during which Mr. Trump suggested that they raise $1 billion for his campaign. Mr. Trump told the executives they would save far more than that in tax breaks and legal fees after he repealed Mr. Biden’s climate agenda, according to several people who were present and who requested anonymity to discuss a private event.” [New York Times, 6/9/24]
Burgum Was Present In Mar-A-Lago Meeting With Hamm And Other Oil And Gas Executives. According to the New York Times, “The room was filled predominantly with oil and gas executives, including Mike Sabel, the chief executive and founder of Venture Global LNG; Toby Rice, the president and chief executive of EQT Corporation; Jack Fusco, the chief executive of Cheniere Energy; and Nick Dell’Osso, the president of Chesapeake Energy. Also in the room were Doug Burgum, the governor of North Dakota and a former Republican presidential candidate who has been acting as Mr. Trump’s point man on energy issues; and Mr. Hamm, the billionaire executive chairman of Continental Resources, which is among the biggest oil and gas drilling companies in Oklahoma and North Dakota.” [New York Times, 5/9/24]
Hamm Was One Of The Other Organizers Of The Mar-A-Lago Event. According to the New York Times, “One of the other organizers of the Mar-a-Lago event was Harold G. Hamm, the billionaire founder and chairman of Continental Resources, one of the country’s largest independent oil companies and the largest leaseholder in the Bakken oil field that straddles North Dakota and Montana. Governor Burgum and Mr. Hamm were already well acquainted.” [New York Times, 6/9/24]
Continental Resources Gave $250,000 To The Pro-Burgum Best Of America PAC. According to CNBC, “Hamm’s alliance with Burgum preceded a donation Continental Resources made to a PAC that backed the North Dakota governor when he ran for president. The company gave $250,000 to the pro-Burgum Best of America PAC in July, according to FEC filings.” [CNBC, 5/21/24]
Burgum’s 2020 Campaign Received More Than $35,000 From The Oil And Gas Industry. According to CNBC, “Burgum’s successful campaign for governor in 2020 received more than $35,000 from those in the oil and gas industry. That amount is second only to the more than $1 million Burgum put into his campaign.” [CNBC, 5/21/24]
Burgum Said Trump Would Halt Biden’s “Attack” On Fossil Fuels At Closed-Press Event. According to the Wall Street Journal, “As governor of America’s third-largest oil-producing state, Burgum has advocated for the advantages of domestic oil-and-gas production, and says he believes in ‘innovation over regulation.’ At the recent Republican donor retreat in Florida, he told attendees that Trump would halt what he called Biden’s ‘attack’ on fossil fuels, according to people who attended the closed-press event.” [Wall Street Journal, 5/18/24]
In Appearances At Trump Campaign Events, Burgum Has Argued That The Country Needs More Oil And Gas And Accused Biden Of “Demonizing” The Fossil Fuel Industry. According to the New York Times, “In appearances around the country on behalf of Mr. Trump, Governor Burgum has aggressively argued that the country needs more oil and gas and has accused President Biden of ‘demonizing’ the fossil fuel industry by encouraging the growth of wind, solar and other nonpolluting energy.” [New York Times, 6/9/24]