E&E NEWS • April 18, 2025
The Interior Department is moving forward with sweeping reorganization and consolidation efforts that will be overseen by a former member of the Elon Musk-led workforce reduction team. The plan would include consolidating communications, financial management, contracting, human resources, grants, civil rights and interactive technology. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum signed a secretarial order Thursday that confirmed most of those details. A conservation watchdog accused Burgum of handing over too much power and control for the reorganization to Hassen and DOGE. “If Doug Burgum doesn’t want this job, he should quit now,” said Jennifer Rokala, executive director of the Center for Western Priorities. “This order shows what it looks like when leaders abdicate their jobs and let unqualified outsiders fire thousands of civil servants who are working on behalf of all Americans and their public lands.”