'The data's lying': Doug Burgum clashes with Democrat over renewable energy numbers

WASHINGTON, DC: A hearing before the House Natural Resources Committee took an unexpectedly combative turn Wednesday, May 13, when Interior Secretary Doug Burgum openly challenged renewable energy statistics presented by Democrats, going so far as to suggest the numbers themselves could not be trusted. 

The exchange, which unfolded during questioning over energy prices and clean power, quickly escalated into one of the sharpest moments of the day, exposing deep divisions over America’s energy future.

Doug Burgum explodes over 'false' data

The tense moment unfolded during Burgum’s appearance before the House Natural Resources Committee, where lawmakers questioned him on the Trump administration’s fiscal priorities, public lands policy, and energy strategy.

Congressman Seth Magaziner used part of his questioning time to challenge what he described as the administration’s hostility toward renewable energy projects.

Magaziner argued that while Americans continue to face rising electricity bills, the administration has slowed clean-energy approvals and created uncertainty for projects trying to connect to the national grid.

“People’s electric bills are too high, and you are blocking projects, and you know better,” Magaziner told Burgum during the hearing.

Magaziner accused the administration of standing in the way of cheaper power generation and said political messaging around wind and solar was now conflicting with economic realities in many Republican-led states.

Instead of directly addressing the project delays, the Interior secretary turned the argument toward electricity pricing and challenged the Democrat's assumptions.

“Can you explain why the states that have pursued the policies you’re describing have the highest power prices in the country?” Burgum asked.

The congressman then directly referenced the state’s energy mix, telling Burgum: “You have 40% renewable. You knew it was the right thing when you were governor. Why isn’t it the right thing now?” 

Burgum’s response came instantly. “False!” he snapped.

Magaziner responded, “The data doesn’t lie, Mr Secretary.” “Yeah, the data’s lying!” Burgum said.

Doug Burgum's heated exchange over federal contracts

The renewable-energy clash was not the only uncomfortable moment Burgum faced during Wednesday’s hearing.

In the session, Colorado Congressman Joe Neguse also pressed the Interior secretary over a controversial contract tied to renovations at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.

Neguse questioned Burgum about the department’s decision to award a multimillion-dollar contract to a Virginia-based coatings company without seeking competing bids.

When asked whether he was familiar with the company involved, Burgum initially replied that he was “not familiar” with the contractor.

Neguse then noted that the deal had been issued as a no-bid contract, adding that “that’s not up for debate, that’s a fact.”

Burgum pushed back strongly. “I’m positive that we followed all of the required bidding rules,” he said, rejecting suggestions of wrongdoing.