WASHINGTON (January 30, 2025) — Edison Electric Institute (EEI) interim President and CEO Pat Vincent-Collawn today issued the following statement:

“EEI and our member electric companies congratulate Department of the Interior Secretary Doug Burgum on his Senate confirmation, and we commend him for his ongoing commitment to public service. 

“Having served as governor of North Dakota, Secretary Burgum understands that Interior plays a vital role in reviewing and permitting much of our nation’s energy infrastructure and that EEI’s member companies also are working hard to build and expand critical energy infrastructure to support energy security and to meet the rapidly growing demand for electricity.

“Well-managed federal lands are critical to our nation’s energy infrastructure. With the risk of catastrophic wildfires spreading to states across the county, EEI and our member companies are committed to continuing to work with DOI and the U.S. Forest Service to enhance vegetation management practices to help mitigate wildfire threats. 

“At all levels, siting and permitting processes for energy infrastructure must be improved so that this infrastructure can be built more quickly. We look forward to working with Secretary Burgum and his team to identify durable solutions that will enable a reliable, secure energy future.”