Chris Wright, President-elect Trump’s nominee to lead the US Department of Energy, plans to tell the senators responsible for his confirmation that he will focus on restoring US “energy dominance” at home and abroad.
Wright, a fossil fuel executive who has been critical of media allegations in the past climate change due to repeated wildfires, is expected to make his opening statement before the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on Wednesday morning. Fox News Digital obtained an advance copy of the statement ahead of the hearing, which was scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. ET.
“I am humbled by the great responsibility this position entails,” Wright is expected to say in his opening statement. “America has a historic opportunity to secure our energy systems, provide leadership in scientific and technological innovation, manage our weapons stockpiles, and meet Cold War waste obligations.”
Wright describes himself as a “science nerd turned tech geek turned lifelong energy entrepreneur.” He will tell the committee how his “fascination with energy began at a young age in Denver, Colorado.” His opening statement discusses how he enrolled at MIT “specifically to work on fusion energy” and later started at the University of California at Berkeley, where he “worked on both solar energy and power electronics.”
Chris Wright, CEO of Liberty Oilfield Services Inc., smiles as he celebrates the company’s IPO on the New York Stock Exchange floor, January 12, 2018. (Reuters)
“Energy is the essential enabler of change that makes everything we do possible. A society with little energy is poor. A society with high energy can bring health, prosperity and opportunity to all,” Wright will say. “The mission of the company I founded – Liberty Energy – is to improve lives through energy. Liberty works directly in oil, natural gas, next generation geothermal energy and has partnerships in next generation nuclear energy and new battery technology.”
“Energy has been a lifelong passion of mine, and I have never been shy about it,” Wright told the committee. “On the other hand, I’ve never been shy much. President Trump shares my passion for energy and, if confirmed, I will work tirelessly to implement his bold agenda as an unapologetic steward of all sources of affordable, reliable and safe American energy.”
On Tuesday, Democrats on the committee led by Sen. Martin Heinrich of New Mexico called for Wright’s confirmation hearing to be postponed for at least a week, citing the fact that they have not yet submitted “the standard financial disclosure report, ethics agreement or opinions from the government’. designated agency ethics officer and the Office of Government Ethics, certifying that the nominee complies with ethics laws.
Chairman Mike Lee, R-Utah, already postponed the confirmation hearing for Doug Burgum, Trump’s pick for Interior secretary, by two days to Thursday because of a delay with the OGE paperwork, but Wright remained on the schedule Wednesday.
Chris Wright, CEO of Liberty Oilfield Services, at Liberty on January 17, 2018. (Andy Cross/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
If confirmed as secretary, Wright would manage energy policy and energy production in the United States, as well as across the country stockpile of nuclear weapons. He would also work with Burgum on the National Energy Council, where they would develop Trump’s energy dominance policy, increasing production of U.S. oil and gas.
Wright has indicated he plans to step down as CEO and chairman of his fracking company company, Liberty Energy, if approved.
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Trump’s nominee for Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum rides the elevator in Dirksen’s Senate office building on December 10, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
In his opening statement, Wright identifies three “immediate” tasks he would focus his attention on if confirmed.
“The first is unleashing American energy at home and abroad to restore energy dominance,” Wright will say. “Our nation’s security starts with energy. Previous governments have viewed energy as a liability rather than a huge national asset. To compete globally, we must expand energy production, including commercial nuclear power and liquefied natural gas, and reduce costs. of energy.”
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“Second, we must lead the world in innovation and technological breakthroughs,” the statement continued. “During my lifetime, technology and innovation have improved the human condition immeasurably. We must protect and accelerate the work of the Department’s national laboratory network to safeguard America’s competitive advantage and security. I am committed to working with Congress on the important missions of the national laboratories.”
“Third, we must rebuild America and remove the barriers to progress,” Wright will say. “Federal policy today makes it too easy to stop projects and very difficult to start and complete projects. This makes energy more expensive and less reliable. President Trump is committed to lowering energy costs and to do that we must prioritize cutting red tape, enabling private sector investment and building the infrastructure we need to make energy more affordable for families and businesses.”
