Climate Change Denialist to Become U.S. Secretary of Energy

President-elect Donald Trump Announces Chris Wright as Secretary of Energy Nominee. President-elect Donald Trump has announced that Chris Wright, an entrepreneur in the oil and gas industry and a staunch advocate for fossil fuels, will be nominated as the Secretary of the Department of Energy.

Wright is the founder and CEO of Liberty Energy, a Denver-based company that provides services for oilfield operations. He has no political experience. Given his clear stance on energy issues, it is expected that he will support Trump’s plan to increase oil and gas production and explore ways to boost electricity generation to meet growing demand. Liberty Energy, which specializes in hydraulic fracturing services, conducts about 20% of land-based drilling in the U.S. and, according to Wright, is responsible for 10% of the nation’s electricity production.

Energy Under a Climate Change Denialist’s Control

Wright shares Trump’s skepticism toward international cooperation on climate change. He has criticized the actions of Democrats and climate activists, comparing them to communism. In a video posted on his LinkedIn profile last year, he stated, “The climate crisis doesn’t exist, and the energy transition is not happening.”

He argues that the potential negative effects of climate change are “clearly outweighed by the benefits of increased energy consumption.” According to Wright, the more frequent extreme weather events such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods are not linked to climate change. He gained media attention in 2019 when he drank hydraulic fracturing fluid on camera to demonstrate that it is not harmful. This fluid, used in oil and gas extraction from shale, raises concerns among environmental groups over its potential negative impact on groundwater quality.

Wide Range of Responsibilities

The Department of Energy oversees U.S. energy diplomacy, manages the Strategic Petroleum Reserve—which Trump has announced plans to replenish—and administers grant and loan programs that support the development of energy technologies, such as the Loan Programs Office. The Secretary also oversees the aging U.S. nuclear weapons sector, nuclear waste disposal, and 17 national laboratories.

If Chris Wright’s nomination is confirmed by the Senate, he will replace Jennifer Granholm, a proponent of electric vehicles and modern, eco-friendly energy sources.

Source: reuters.com