PROFILE - Chris Wright: Trump's energy secretary pick fuels uncertainty on US energy future

By Gizem Nisa Cebi

ISTANBUL (AA) — US President-elect Donald Trump's nomination of Chris Wright as energy secretary has ignited debate over the future of US energy policy.

Wright, CEO of Liberty Energy, the world’s second-largest fracking services company, has been a vocal critic of efforts to combat climate change and accelerate the green energy transition.

"There is no climate crisis, and we're not in the midst of an energy transition either," Wright declared in a 2023 video he posted on professional social networking site LinkedIn.

While he acknowledges that climate is changing, Wright argues that the policies addressing the phenomenon are "misguided" and "alarmist," claiming they ignore the benefits of increased energy consumption.

- Who is Chris Wright?

Wright is a prominent figure in the US energy industry, known for his staunch support for fossil fuels and his skepticism toward renewable energy initiatives — a position he shares with Trump.

He has championed hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, a method of extracting hard-to-reach oil and gas deposits that critics say could be detrimental to the environment. Many proponents in the US, Wright included, argue that it is a cornerstone of US energy independence, often emphasizing its role in lowering energy costs and boosting economic growth.

Beyond his leadership at Liberty Energy, Wright is a prolific commentator on energy issues, frequently using platforms like LinkedIn and industry conferences to voice his opposition to green energy policies.

In his 2023 video titled "The Energy Truth," Wright claimed that fossil fuels "are the foundation of modern civilization," dismissing renewable energy solutions as unreliable and economically unsustainable.

Wright has also been an active contributor to political campaigns and lobbying efforts, donating to candidates who support deregulation of the energy sector.

Under his leadership, Liberty Energy has funded campaigns aimed at rolling back restrictions on oil and gas drilling, further cementing its influence in shaping US energy policy.

- Criticism and scientific pushback

Experts, however, have strongly disagreed with Wright’s energy assessments, whether on fossil fuels or renewables.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has consistently emphasized that human-driven climate change is already having widespread impacts, including extreme weather, biodiversity loss, and economic disruption.

"The science is clear: climate change is already affecting every region on Earth, with escalating consequences for both people and ecosystems," noted a report by the IPCC, which operates under the UN.

Lori Bird, US energy program director at the World Resources Institute, has also countered Wright’s assertions on the shift towards green energy. Speaking to ABC News, she said the US is "definitely in an energy transition, as is the rest of the globe."

Bird highlighted that coal-fired power plants, once a major generator of US energy, are rapidly being replaced by solar and wind, as well as energy storage technologies like batteries.

Recent trends back up Bird's claim. Coal’s share in US power generation fell below 20% in 2020 and now barely exceeds 16%. Meanwhile, a record 31 gigawatts of solar capacity was installed last year, a 55% increase over the previous year, according to the World Resources Institute.

The Inflation Reduction Act, a landmark piece of legislation passed under the outgoing administration of President Joe Biden, has spurred unprecedented investments in clean energy, with $421 billion directed toward manufacturing expansions since its enactment in 2022.

It includes tax incentives for green energy production and charging infrastructure for electric vehicles, which accounted for 10% of US auto sales in the third quarter of 2024.

- Possible motivations behind Wright’s stance

Julie McNamara, a senior analyst at the Union of Concerned Scientists, argued that denying the energy transition serves fossil fuel interests.

"The only reason to say there's no energy transition underway is to attempt to solidify policies and incentives that anchor short-term profits for fossil fuel interests," she told ABC News.

Critics also point to Wright’s financial ties to the oil and gas industry as a potential conflict of interest in leading the federal Department of Energy.

Environmental groups have expressed concerns that his leadership could lead to weakened federal support for renewable energy and expanded subsidies for fossil fuels.

- Momentum for clean energy

Despite potential policy shifts under the incoming administration, experts like Bird remain optimistic about the momentum of clean energy:

"It would be impossible to halt the energy transition at this stage," Bird said, noting that states, technology companies, and other stakeholders are driving the move.

Thirty states now have renewable or clean energy standards, with several committing to 100% clean energy by mid-century, while corporate giants like Google and Amazon have pledged to power their operations entirely with renewables.

As Wright prepares for confirmation hearings in the Senate, the clash between his views and the prevailing scientific consensus sets the stage for a heated debate over the future of US energy policy.