Monday April 21, 2025
E&E News —
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.
Interior began circulating basic outlines for the reorganization last week, which a department official familiar with the plan said at the time would include consolidating communications, financial management, contracting, human resources, grants, civil rights and interactive technology. Another Interior official confirmed last week that the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, which has spearheaded President Donald Trump’s cost-cutting efforts across the government, would lead the task.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum signed a secretarial order Thursday that confirmed most of those details.
Under the subject line “Consolidation, Unification and Optimization of Administrative Functions,” Burgum’s order says Interior “will be unifying and consolidating many of its functions within the Office of the Secretary.”