Trump Picks Fossil Fuel Advocate to Lead Bureau of Land Management

Donald Trump has selected Kathleen Sgamma, a vocal proponent of fossil fuel expansion, to head the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The agency oversees vast public lands used for energy production, grazing, and recreation, with roughly 10% of U.S. oil and gas extraction occurring on these lands.

Sgamma, currently the president of the Western Energy Alliance, has long pushed for deregulating fossil fuel production on federal land. She has opposed environmental restrictions and promoted policies that favor increased oil and gas leasing. In a statement, she said, “I look forward to leading an agency that is key to the agenda of unleashing American energy while protecting the environment.”

Rolling Back Environmental Protections

If confirmed, Sgamma will be responsible for reversing key policies implemented under Biden’s BLM director, Tracy Stone-Manning, which aimed to:

Limit oil and gas leasing on federal lands
End new coal leases in major coal-producing regions
Strengthen conservation efforts for endangered species
Restrict drilling in sensitive ecosystems

Trump’s Interior Secretary Doug Burgum has already issued executive orders to expand fossil fuel development, and Sgamma will oversee their implementation.

Concerns Over Environmental Impact

Environmental advocates strongly oppose Sgamma’s nomination, arguing it will weaken conservation efforts and prioritize corporate interests. Taylor McKinnon of the Center for Biological Diversity warned, “Kathleen Sgamma would be an unmitigated disaster for our public lands.”

Republican leaders, however, support her appointment. Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon called her an “excellent choice”, emphasizing her experience in western land management.

Wildlife Protection Also at Stake

Trump has also nominated Brian Nesvik to lead the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, an agency overseeing endangered species protection. Nesvik, a former Wyoming Game and Fish Department head, has advocated for removing protections for grizzly bears, a move that could reintroduce public hunting after decades of conservation efforts.

These appointments signal a major shift in federal land and wildlife policies, prioritizing energy expansion over environmental protections.