The U.S. Senate approved Steve Pearce to lead the Bureau of Land Management, reflecting a narrow partisan divide. Pearce, a 78-year-old Republican with extensive oil and gas industry connections, has consistently supported federal land sales. This decision places him in charge of overseeing 245 million acres of public land and 700 million acres of subsurface minerals.
Pearce, a former U.S. Representative from New Mexico, received a 46-43 vote along party lines, allowing him to head the BLM, a key agency in federal land management. Montana Senators Steve Daines and Tim Sheehy backed Pearce’s nomination, which was considered alongside nearly 50 other federal positions, including U.S. marshals and defense secretaries.
While neither Daines nor Sheehy commented on their decision, Pearce’s past as an oil and gas well-servicing company owner and a Vietnam War pilot contributes to his experience. His family overcame poverty through his father’s work in Texas oil fields.
More than 80 conservation and public land groups, including the Center for Biological Diversity and WildEarth Guardians, opposed Pearce due to his environmental record. Critics argue he supports President Trump’s agenda by favoring polluters and selling public lands.
Alan Zibel of Public Citizen voiced concerns, stating Pearce is “primed to exploit his role at BLM for profit.” Environmentalists view his confirmation as detrimental to public lands.
Agricultural and oil interests, like the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and Western Energy Alliance, favored Pearce. Melissa Simpson of Western Energy Alliance praised his understanding of the BLM’s mission, balancing resource development with conservation.
President Trump described Pearce as supportive of the “drill, baby, drill” energy agenda. Previously, the Senate did not confirm a BLM director during Trump’s term, leaving the agency under acting directors.
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