President-elect Donald Trump has selected Chris Wright, the founder and CEO of Liberty Energy, to lead the U.S. Department of Energy. Wright, a prominent figure in the oil and gas industry, is expected to carry out Trump's promise to boost fossil fuel production, in line with the campaign slogan “drill, baby, drill.”
Wright's leadership at Liberty Energy, a company that supports shale oil and gas extraction through hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking,” positions him as a key advocate for expanding U.S. fossil fuel output. Trump praised Wright in a statement, calling him “one of the pioneers who helped launch the American Shale Revolution that fuelled American Energy Independence and transformed the Global Energy Markets and Geopolitics.”
Trump further noted that Wright's role as Secretary of Energy would focus on driving innovation, cutting regulatory barriers, and contributing to a “new Golden Age of American Prosperity and Global Peace.”
A climate change skeptic, Wright has previously dismissed concerns over the environment, stating that he does not care where energy comes from as long as it is secure, reliable, affordable, and improves human lives. In a LinkedIn video posted last year, Wright said, “There is no climate crisis, and we're not in the midst of an energy transition either.”
In addition to leading the Energy Department, Wright will be appointed to a newly formed National Energy Council, a body tasked with promoting U.S. energy dominance. The council will focus on reducing bureaucratic obstacles and encouraging private sector investment in the energy sector, according to the Trump campaign.
Wright's appointment is seen as a significant win for the fossil fuel industry, which anticipates a favorable environment under the new administration. Trump has pledged to prioritize fossil fuel production over renewable energy sources like wind power. Wright will play a central role in this strategy, helping to implement policies such as expanding oil drilling in areas like the Arctic, a move Trump argues will reduce energy costs.
During his first presidency, Trump rolled back numerous environmental regulations and withdrew the U.S. from the Paris climate agreement, signaling his administration's ongoing focus on fossil fuel production and energy independence.
