President-elect Donald Trump has selected Chris Wright, a campaign donor and fossil fuel executive, to serve as energy secretary in his upcoming second administration. Wright, the CEO of Denver-based Liberty Energy, is a vocal advocate of oil and gas development, including fracking, which aligns with Trump’s goal of achieving U.S. “energy dominance” in the global market.
In addition to his role as energy secretary, Trump has appointed Wright to serve on the newly-created National Energy Council, which will be chaired by North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, Trump’s pick for secretary of the Interior. Burgum will oversee a panel that spans all executive branch agencies involved in energy permitting, production, generation, distribution, regulation, and transportation.
Trump highlighted Wright’s opposition to efforts to combat climate change, emphasizing his commitment to supporting fossil fuels and potentially ending a year-long pause on natural gas export approvals initiated by the Biden administration. Wright has criticized what he perceives as a “top-down” approach to climate change by liberal and left-wing groups, asserting that the climate movement worldwide is collapsing under its own weight.
The consideration of Wright for the energy department leadership received backing from influential conservatives, including oil and gas tycoon Harold Hamm. Hamm, the executive chairman of Oklahoma-based Continental Resources, a prominent shale oil company, has been a long-time supporter and advisor to Trump on energy issues. Hamm played a pivotal role in organizing an event at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort, where industry leaders and lobbyists were reportedly asked to donate $1 billion to Trump’s campaign in exchange for potential regulatory rollbacks.
The Energy Department plays a crucial role in advancing energy, environmental, and nuclear security in the United States. The agency oversees the country’s nuclear weapons, manages 17 national research laboratories, approves natural gas exports, ensures environmental cleanup of the nation’s nuclear weapons complex, and promotes scientific and technological research.
Republican Sen. John Barrasso, expected to chair the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, praised Trump for making bold choices in his Cabinet selection. Barrasso lauded Wright as an energy innovator who laid the groundwork for America’s fracking boom, emphasizing the importance of American energy for the economy and national security. Barrasso expressed confidence that Wright would uphold an all-of-the-above energy policy that prioritizes American families.
Thomas Pyle, president of the American Energy Alliance, a conservative group supporting fossil fuels, endorsed Wright as an excellent choice for Energy secretary. Pyle led Trump’s Energy Department transition team in 2016. Liberty Energy, under Wright’s leadership, is a major player in the energy industry, particularly focusing on technology. Wright, a Colorado native, holds an undergraduate degree from MIT and pursued graduate studies in electrical engineering at the University of California-Berkeley and MIT. In 1992, he founded Pinnacle Technologies, a company that contributed to the commercialization of shale gas production through fracking. Wright also chaired Stroud Energy, an early shale gas producer, before establishing Liberty Resources in 2010.
Overall, the appointment of Chris Wright as energy secretary signals a continued emphasis on fossil fuel development and energy dominance in Trump’s upcoming administration. With his background in the industry and advocacy for oil and gas production, Wright is set to play a key role in shaping energy policy and strategy in the United States. His nomination has garnered support from influential figures in the conservative and energy sectors, indicating a strong commitment to advancing American energy interests under the new administration.
