President-elect Donald Trump has announced that he will nominate Chris Wright, the CEO of Liberty Energy, to be the next Secretary of Energy. Wright is well-known for his controversial opinions on climate change and his influential role in the advancement of fracking technology.
The Trump campaign donor, who graduated from MIT but has never held a government position, has openly dismissed the idea of a climate crisis, questioning its links to severe weather patterns. Last year, he boldly stated in a video posted online that “there is no climate crisis, and we’re not in the midst of an energy transition either.” While he stood by his comments, he later clarified that he wasn’t outright denying the science behind climate change.
This latest nomination may fit well with Trump’s campaign promises of boosting American energy independence and supporting fossil fuel industries. In a statement released on September 16, Trump praised Wright’s contributions to the Shale Revolution, stating that his experience covers a wide range of energy sectors, including nuclear, solar, geothermal, and oil and gas.
However, the response to Chris Wright’s appointment has been mixed. Industry leaders such as Debbie Brown, president of the Colorado Business Roundtable, have welcomed the decision, endorsing Wright’s “practical, all-of-the-above approach to advancing clean, affordable, and reliable energy solutions.” In contrast, some environmental groups are strongly opposed to it. The League of Conservation Voters’ Tiernan Sittenfeld criticized the selection of a “climate-denying Big Oil executive.”
Meanwhile, Chris Wright’s nomination, which is reportedly backed by oil billionaire Harold G. Hamm, could lead to a shift in how funding is allocated, particularly regarding the climate initiatives proposed in the Inflation Reduction Act. He has openly opposed the goal of achieving net-zero emissions, labeling those targets as “hopelessly destructive” because of the expenses involved. Although he is doubtful about the effectiveness of renewable energy, he does express some backing for increasing nuclear energy production.
Chris Wright is also known for his unconventional take on how transparency should be achieved in the energy industry. In 2019, to show his confidence in fracking safety, he famously drank fracking fluid while being filmed. He has also criticized the industry for being reluctant to reveal what goes into the chemicals used in the fracking process.
If he is confirmed, Wright would be instrumental in executing Trump’s plans, which involve pulling out of the Paris climate agreement, rolling back emissions regulations, and increasing support for fracking during Trump’s expected second term.
