Former President Donald Trump announced on Saturday his choice of Chris Wright, CEO of Liberty Energy and a strong proponent of fossil fuels, to lead the US Department of Energy. Wright, who founded the Denver-based oilfield services company, has been a vocal critic of climate change activism and advocates increased oil and gas production to meet rising electricity demand.
Wright, known for his unorthodox style and passion for technology, once made headlines in 2019 by drinking fracking fluid on camera to prove its safety. A fierce critic of climate policy, he has dismissed climate concerns as exaggerated, comparing Democratic efforts on climate action to Soviet-style communism. “There is no climate crisis,” he said in a LinkedIn video last year, adding that the notion of an “energy transition” is overstated.
If confirmed, Wright would replace current Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, a proponent of renewable energy and electric vehicles. His potential role would involve overseeing US energy diplomacy, managing the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, and directing the Department’s grant and loan programs, including those promoting new energy technologies. Wright is also expected to support Trump’s agenda of boosting fossil fuel production and potentially expanding nuclear energy, which enjoys bipartisan support despite the challenges of permitting and high costs.
As energy demand in the US rises for the first time in two decades, fueled by advancements in artificial intelligence, electric vehicles, and cryptocurrency mining, Wright’s appointment signals a shift in the nation’s approach to energy policy.
In a separate announcement, Trump named his personal attorney, Will Scharf, as his White House staff secretary. Scharf, a former federal prosecutor and member of Trump’s legal team, was previously involved in Trump’s Supreme Court case that sought immunity from prosecution. Following Trump’s election win, Scharf expressed satisfaction with the expected resignation of Special Counsel Jack Smith, who led the investigation into Trump’s 2020 election-related charges, writing, “Bye Jack” on Twitter.