FARGO, ND (Valley News Live) – North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum is reacting to President-elect Trump officially nominating him to be Secretary of the Interior.

Trump mentioned the news first in a speech at Mar-A-Lago Thursday night and made it official in an announcement Friday.

“Being selected to lead the U.S. Department of the Interior is an incredible honor and tremendous responsibility, and I am deeply grateful to President Trump for this opportunity to serve the American people in such a broad capacity,” Burgum said. “Serving as Secretary of the Interior is an opportunity to redefine and improve the federal government’s relationship with tribal nations, landowners, mineral developers, outdoor enthusiasts and others, with a focus on maximizing the responsible use of our natural resources with environmental stewardship for the benefit of the American people.”

According to a press release, the department employs approximately 70,000 employees in 11 technical agencies: the National Park Service, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the US Geological Survey, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation & Enforcement, and the federal agencies of Indian Affairs, Indian Education, Land Management, Ocean Energy Management , Recycling, Safety and environmental supervision and management of trust funds.

Trump says he has also selected Burgum to chair the newly formed National Energy Council.

“The National Energy Council will foster an unprecedented level of coordination among federal agencies to advance American energy. By establishing America’s energy dominance, we can jump-start our economy, lower costs for consumers, and generate billions in revenue to help reduce our deficit,” says Burgum. “Focusing on innovation over regulation to solve the nation’s challenges will allow us to smartly expand American energy and make our world cleaner and safer by selling energy to our friends and allies versus having them buy that of our adversaries.”

If confirmed, Burgum will be the first native North Dakotan to head a U.S. government agency since former Gov. Ed Schafer led the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 2008-2009 under President George W. Bush.

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