Former North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum is due before a Senate committee as lawmakers consider the Republican’s nomination to be chief steward of U.S. public lands.

Doug Burgum committed to keeping wild horses in Theodore Roosevelt National Park and highlighted North Dakota examples of managing public lands and energy during his confirmation hearing to lead the Department of the Interior.

The former North Dakota governor told senators at his confirmation hearing that he saw limits on energy production as a national security threat.

Former North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum promised to maximize drilling on federal lands at his confirmation hearing for interior secretary Thursday, calling the incoming administration’s goal of “energy dominance” the surest way to guarantee America’s national security.