Interior Secretary Doug Burgum discusses AI, data centers, and energy policy in North Dakota

Interior Secretary and former North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum delivered a speech to oil and gas industry leaders in Bismarck, North Dakota, on May 21, where he lauded artificial intelligence and data centers as significant boons for the state's coal and natural gas sectors.

During his address at the Williston Basin Petroleum Conference, Burgum positioned data centers as a key driver for energy demand, comparing them to "manufacturing intelligence." He acknowledged public concerns regarding water consumption and power needs but largely dismissed them as "red herrings," asserting that data centers could ultimately reduce electricity costs for consumers and offer a way to "ship product out of North Dakota by a fiber optic cable" without drawing protests.

Burgum also emphasized the Trump administration's focus on "energy dominance" through baseload power sources like natural gas and coal, criticizing the global shift towards renewable energy as "energy subtraction." Current North Dakota Governor Kelly Armstrong, Burgum's successor, supported the need for factual communication about AI and data centers to counter misinformation and foster community buy-in for such projects.

While the Department of the Interior did not comment, Burgum stressed innovation over regulation, stating, "North Dakota is going to solve these problems for innovation, not through regulation." His remarks highlighted a broader government perspective on balancing technological advancement with energy policy and public sentiment in the context of data center expansion.