The Senate confirmed Chris Wright as secretary of energy, placing the former Liberty Energy CEO in charge of shaping U.S. energy policy under President Trump.
Brad Plumer reports for The New York Times.
In short:
- Wright, a longtime advocate for fossil fuels, pledged to "unleash" U.S. energy production, including natural gas and nuclear power.
- He expressed support for renewable energy but has downplayed climate change, previously stating, "There is no climate crisis."
- His confirmation raises questions about the future of the Energy Department’s clean energy programs, which were aggressively expanded under the Biden administration.
Key quote:
“There is no climate crisis, and we’re not in the midst of an energy transition, either.”
— Chris Wright, U.S. secretary of energy, writing in a 2023 social media post
Why this matters:
Wright’s leadership could shift U.S. energy policy away from renewables toward oil, gas and coal. His stance on climate change and fossil fuel expansion may impact global efforts to reduce emissions. The fate of clean energy investments made under the Biden administration remains uncertain.
Read more: Trump's energy secretary nominee faces scrutiny over climate change and fossil fuels
