Denver fracking contractor Chris Wright is a scientist and engineer who supports fossil fuels and renewable energy development.
The Senate has confirmed Colorado fracking services contractor Chris Wright to lead the Department of Energy (DOE) in its management of the nation’s nuclear weapons stockpile, national labs in energy development, and in implementing President Donald Trump’s energy policies.
The Senate endorsed Wright to serve as energy secretary on Feb. 3 in a 59–38 vote that drew objections from some Democrats over his support for fossil fuel development in taking the reins of the DOE’s 14,000-employee workforce and its $52 billion annual budget.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) in a mid-afternoon address before a largely empty chamber praised Wright as uniquely qualified to lead the DOE in a time of sweeping technological breakthroughs and “all-of-the-above” energy diversification.
“One of the most important resources is America’s ability to innovate—the knowledge and capabilities we have to expand the realm of possibility,” he said. “It’s a big part of the work of the energy department, and it’s what Chris Wright has spent his life doing. Mr. Wright calls himself, and I quote, ‘a science geek turned energy nerd turned lifelong energy entrepreneur.’”
Trump announced his nomination of Wright for the DOE post in a Nov. 16 Truth Social post, calling him “one of the pioneers who helped launch the American Shale Revolution that fueled American Energy Independence.”
An MIT-educated scientist and engineer, Wright is the CEO of Denver-based Liberty Energy, one of the nation’s leading fracking contractors. Thune said the DOE nominee has experience, knowledge, and investments across the energy development spectrum.
Wright “will be notable among secretaries of energy for his depth of experience,“ Thune said. ”He has experience in nuclear energy, solar, geothermal, wind power, oil, and natural gas. He’s worked on innovations and technology that have reshaped the energy industry, and he’s seen what energy can do to improve human lives, bring people out of poverty, and remake entire societies.
“Chris Wright is passionate about energy.
“He knows it’s one of our most important assets, and he’s ready to get to work.”
By John Haughey
