Key takeaways from Trump’s energy secretary pick’s confirmation hearing
Chris Wright, President-elect Donald Trump’s chosen for energy secretary, told senators during his confirmation hearing Wednesday that he would promote all sources of American energy while also recognizing the causes of fossil fuel burning climate change.
Wright, a fossil fuel executivehas been one of the industry’s loudest voices against efforts to combat climate change. He believes that increased fossil fuel production can lift people around the world out of poverty. His nomination went to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee for a confirmation hearing. Protesters interrupted it several times.
These are the most interesting moments:
Wright, CEO of Denver-based Liberty Energy, pledged to help Trump “unleash energy security and prosperity.”
The centerpiece of Trump’s energy policy is “Drill, baby, drill“, and he has pledged to dismantle what he calls the Democrats’ “green new scam” in favor of boosting the production of fossil fuels like oil, natural gas and coal, which cause climate change – when they burn, they release greenhouse gases .
“President Trump shares my passion for energy,” Wright said. “And if confirmed, I will work tirelessly to implement his bold agenda as an unapologetic steward of all sources of affordable, reliable and secure American energy.”
He said this includes oil and natural gas, which support the country’s economy; coal, nuclear and hydropower as major energy sources; fast-growing wind and solar energy; and geothermal energy, which could become a significant energy source.
Sen. John HickenlooperD-Colo., called Wright an “uninhibited fossil fuel enthusiast in almost every respect,” but noted that he studied nuclear energy, worked on solar energy and is a scientist open to discussion.
Sen. Angus KingI-Maine, said he thinks Wright’s position on climate change is “more subtle than publicly acknowledged” and that he does not deny that climate change is happening or that it is linked to the burning of fossil fuels, which is drastically increasing the amount of fossil fuels. of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
Wright responded “absolutely,” adding that “particularly through the combustion of hydrocarbons, which make our modern world possible, we have increased the atmospheric CO2 concentration by 50%”, making it harder for the Earth to release heat.
While he said climate change is real, he also said that “there is no such thing as dirty energy or clean energy.” Rather, he said, there are different energy sources with different tradeoffs.
“Energy is crucial for human lives. Climate change is a global challenge that we must solve,” said Wright. “And the tradeoffs between the two are the decisions that politicians make and they are the decisions that will affect the future of our world and our quality of life.”
Sen. Alex PadillaD-California, asked Wright if he still believes “wildfires are just a hype” after the massive fires in Southern Californiawho have at least 25 people killed and destroyed thousands of houses.
Scientists say climate change means that more frequent and intense wildfires, with drought-like conditions in the western US, are more likely.
“You’ve written that the hype about forest fires is just a hype to justify even more impoverishment due to bad government policies,” Padilla said. “And given the devastation we are currently experiencing in Los Angeles, do you still believe that wildfires are just a hype?”
Wright said he stood by his previous comments. He then said climate change is real before Padilla cut him off.
Padilla said, “Tell that to the families of the more than 20 people who died in these fires.”
One protester shouted “LA is on fire” and another shouted “I’m 18 years old and I want a future!” They held up signs that read “big oil profits, LA burns.”
A disruption brought the chairman of the Republican committee, Senator S. Mike Lee of Utah, to briefly suspend the hearing, saying the committee would remain in recess until Capitol Police could restore order.
Wright’s company invests in Fervo Energy, a Houston-based geothermal company that makes electricity from the heat of the earth. He serves on the board of directors of Okloa developer of small modular nuclear reactors.
Wright said he is excited about geothermal as “a vast, abundant energy source under everyone’s feet.” Wright said he wants to accelerate the development of nuclear power so it can meet a much larger share of global electricity demand.
Republican Senator from Alaska Lisa Murkowski asked Wright if he would support a proposed megagas project in her home state to export liquefied natural gas abroad. He said it is a “great idea” and “great for our country” to grow natural gas production in Alaska and build infrastructure to export it.
Wright said he will cut all ties in the energy sector if confirmed.