Governor Doug Burgum was confirmed as Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior on Thursday, Jan. 30, with a vote of 79-18.
The RV Industry Association (RVIA), which previously advocated for Burgum’s nomination in a letter addressed to Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, said it looks forward to working with Secretary Burgum on the continued modernization of federal campground infrastructure and the legislative needs of the $140 billion RV industry.
RVIA applauded the decision in a recent letter addressed to Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Mike Lee and Ranking Member Martin Heinrich.
“Governor Burgum’s record reflects a deep commitment to enhancing outdoor recreation opportunities and prioritizing access to public lands,” states the RV Industry Association’s letter. “We appreciate Secretary-designate Burgum’s commitment to prioritize investments in outdoor recreation infrastructure, including the modernization and expansion of federal campgrounds to accommodate the growing needs of the vibrant American RV industry.”
Burgum’s nomination placed outdoor recreation front and center at the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee’s hearing on January 17th to consider the nomination. During the hearing, an exchange between Ranking Member Martin Heinrich, Senator Maria Cantwell and Gov. Burgum highlighted the bipartisan agreement on the importance of the $1.2 trillion outdoor recreation economy, state Offices of Outdoor Recreation, the EXPLORE Act, and the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable.
This appointment of Burgum is crucial for both the RV industry and the broader outdoor recreation sector. The Department of the Interior, responsible for over 20% of the nation’s land — including iconic national parks attracting nearly half a billion visitors annually — plays a vital role in shaping the American-made RV industry and impacting the experiences of RVers nationwide.
Secretary-designate Burgum will be instrumental in addressing key challenges and opportunities within the outdoor recreation sector. A critical priority will be the reauthorization of the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund, which is scheduled to expire in 2025. Reauthorization would allow the Legacy Restoration Fund to continue addressing the significant deferred maintenance and investment needs of our national parks and public lands.
The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable — along with 33 of its national member organizations and businesses —have also expressed support for Burgum’s nomination in its own letter to Lee and Heinrich.
According to the Associated Press, Burgum is an ultra-wealthy software industry entrepreneur who came from a small North Dakota farming community, where he worked at his family’s grain elevator.
He served two terms as governor of the oil-rich state and launched a presidential campaign in 2023, but dropped out months later and endorsed Trump.
Trump also picked Burgum to chair a new National Energy Council that’s tasked with achieving American “energy dominance.” He would have a seat on the National Security Council — a first for the interior secretary.
Read the full report AP report here.
