Oklahoma Tribes, Oil & Gas Industry At Odds Over Historic Confirmation Of Interior Secretary

Rep. Deb Haaland made history as the first Native American to hold a cabinet position when confirmed by the U.S. Senate Monday as the Secretary of the Interior, a position with major impact on the energy industry as well as Native American tribes.

Much of Oklahoma is not only tribal land, but also rich with oil and gas resources. Both tribes and fossil fuel industries have different opinions on how this nomination could impact the state.

Experts tell News on 6 this nomination does not mean the end of drilling, but they say they do expect Haaland to show more constraint with the oil and gas industry.

"The appointment of a Native American in this position is long overdue,” the Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin said.

"[Haaland's] non-committal answers and record do not show a commitment to ensuring we have the power we need to fuel our homes and clean air, water, and land,” Senator James Lankford stated in part.

"It's certainly not a move that said we’re in oil and gas friendly administration," said Tom Seng, Director of School of Energy Economics, Policy and Commerce at the University of Tulsa. 

Seng said Haaland will have control over national parks, Indian affairs, as well as public and tribal lands. Seng said some in the oil and gas industry are concerned Haaland will restrict drilling.

"I don't think that that's necessarily the case. I think they're going to be under more scrutiny I think they're definitely going to have to be environmentally friendly, benefit the local communities but I don't see this as a halt on drilling," Seng explained. 

Seng said Haaland has not openly talked about her policies but said oil and gas companies could see more taxes or fewer drilling leases.

"But it's not a definite 'no, we're not going to do this.' So, I can I think the general idea when they oppose the nomination, they're kind of opposing the path the Biden administration appears to be headed relative to fossil fuels," Seng added. 

Seng said if the new administration does put restrictions on the oil and gas industry, the country would see those impacts a couple years down the road.

You can read the full statement from the Cherokee Nation and Chief Hoskin below.