President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Chris Wright, CEO of Denver-based Liberty Energy, as the next Secretary of Energy, raising alarm among environmentalists and climate advocates. Wright, a prominent figure in the fossil fuel industry and a major Republican donor, has long advocated for the continued use of oil and gas as essential energy sources. His nomination signals a clear pivot in U.S. energy policy, prioritizing fossil fuel production over renewable energy initiatives.
Chris Wright has built his career in the energy sector, leading Liberty Energy, a company specializing in hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, for oil and natural gas extraction. Wright is also a board member of a modular nuclear reactor company and has worked in various energy fields, including nuclear, solar, and geothermal. However, his staunch advocacy for fossil fuels has defined his public persona.
Wright describes himself as “a lifelong environmentalist” and has acknowledged that “climate change is a real problem.” Yet, in 2023, he dismissed the urgency of transitioning to renewable energy, claiming, “There is no such thing as clean energy or dirty energy” and “there is no climate crisis and we’re not in the midst of an energy transition either.” These statements reflect his skepticism toward mainstream scientific consensus on climate change and its connection to extreme weather events.
His industry ties extend to influential figures like Harold Hamm, the Oklahoma fracking billionaire and Trump adviser, who called Wright “a really, really sharp individual” and championed his nomination. Wright has publicly argued that fossil fuels are indispensable for global development, stating in a 2023 interview with CNBC, “The world runs on oil and gas, and we need that.”
Trump’s nomination of Wright aligns with his campaign promises to boost fossil fuel production beyond the record levels achieved under the Biden administration. Trump has also announced the formation of a new Council of National Energy, which will oversee energy permitting, production, and regulation. Doug Burgum, the nominee for Secretary of the Interior, will chair the council.
In a statement announcing Wright’s nomination, Trump praised him as “a leading technologist and entrepreneur in Energy” and credited him with launching “the American Shale Revolution that fueled American Energy Independence and transformed the Global Energy Markets and Geopolitics.”
Wright himself expressed enthusiasm for the role, stating on social media, “My dedication to bettering human lives remains steadfast, with a focus on making American energy more affordable, reliable, and secure. Energy is the lifeblood that makes everything in life possible. Energy matters. I am looking forward to getting to work.”
The nomination has been met with polarized reactions. Industry leaders have celebrated Wright’s appointment as a victory for energy independence and market stability. Environmental groups, however, have condemned the decision, warning of its potential impact on climate change mitigation efforts and clean energy development.
Tiernan Sittenfeld, senior vice president for government affairs at the League of Conservation Voters, described the appointment as “not surprising but still appalling.” Similarly, Jackie Wong, senior vice president for climate and energy at the Natural Resources Defense Council, called Wright’s nomination “a disastrous mistake.” Wong emphasized, “The Energy Department should be doing all it can to develop and expand the energy sources of the 21st century, not trying to promote the dirty fuels of the last century.”
Patrick Donnelly, Great Basin director at the Center for Biological Diversity, expressed concern that Trump’s administration would become “the oiliest administration since George W. Bush.”
The Department of Energy (DOE) plays a critical role in shaping the nation’s energy policy. Its responsibilities include advancing renewable energy technologies, managing nuclear energy and security, and addressing the climate crisis. Under Wright’s leadership, however, these priorities could shift significantly.
Wright’s skepticism about the energy transition and clean energy could undermine the DOE’s efforts to promote renewable energy solutions. This is especially concerning given the growing urgency of the climate crisis. The International Energy Agency has warned that to avoid the worst impacts of global warming, no new fossil fuel developments should be approved. Wright, however, has dismissed such recommendations, stating, “Standing in the way of today’s energy system before we’ve built a new energy system, there’s just no upside in that.”
Wright’s appointment raises questions about the future of U.S. energy policy and its implications for global climate efforts. Critics argue that doubling down on fossil fuel production could exacerbate climate-fueled disasters, harm vulnerable communities, and delay the transition to a sustainable energy system. Moreover, environmental justice advocates highlight the disproportionate impact of fossil fuel extraction on low-income and marginalized communities.
Jackie Wong summarized the stakes, stating, “Given the devastating impacts of climate-fueled disasters, DOE’s core mission of researching and promoting cleaner energy solutions is more important now than ever.”
As Patrick Donnelly aptly put it, “This is going to be the oiliest administration since George W. Bush.”
COMMENTS