2024-11-17 01:46:00
Donald Trump continues to fine-tune his team ahead of his inauguration on January 20. And his latest choice fell on a climate skeptic supported by American oil companies. The president-elect has nominated Chris Wright, CEO of Liberty Energy, to serve as Secretary of Energy.
“As Secretary of Energy, Chris will be a key leader, driving innovation, reducing administrative barriers, and ushering in a new ‘golden age of American prosperity and world peace,’” Donald Trump said.
According to Wright “there is no climate crisis”
Chris Wright will also serve as a member of the brand-new National Energy Council (NEC), whose creation was announced by the president-elect on Friday, and whose mission will be to “oversee the United States’ path to energy dominance.” His candidacy was supported by companies in the oil sector, underlines the Financial times.
The next holder of the Energy portfolio therefore heads the company Liberty Energy, which he founded in 2011, specializing in hydraulic fracturing, a polluting method for extracting hydrocarbons. In a post on his LinkedIn account a year ago, he said that “there is no climate crisis and we are not even in the middle of an energy transition.” “The term carbon pollution is scandalous” because all life depends on carbon dioxide, he added, also refuting the terms “clean energy or dirty energy, all energy sources have both positive and negative impacts on the world.
“One of the pioneers” of shale
Donald Trump, in the press release announcing this nomination, praised “a leading energy entrepreneur” who “has worked in the nuclear, solar, geothermal, and oil and gas industries.” “Most importantly, Chris was one of the pioneers who helped launch America’s shale revolution, which fueled American energy independence and transformed global energy markets and geopolitics,” he said again.
A graduate of the prestigious MIT and UC Berkeley, Chris Wright founded the company Pinnacle Technologies in 1992, “whose innovations helped launch the commercial production of shale gas and created an industry for hydraulic fracture mapping,” the site says Liberty Energy website. He later served as president of Stroud Energy, “an early producer of shale gas, before selling it to shale pioneer Range Resources in 2006.”
What are the potential impacts of Chris Wright’s nomination on renewable energy initiatives in the U.S.?
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Energy Policy Expert
Time.news Editor (TNE): Welcome to Time.news, where we dive deep into the latest in politics and policy. Today, we’re discussing the recent nomination of Chris Wright, a climate skeptic and CEO of Liberty Energy, to serve as the Secretary of Energy under President-elect Donald Trump. We’re joined by Dr. Emily Carter, an energy policy expert and professor at the Institute for Sustainable Energy. Dr. Carter, thank you for being here.
Dr. Emily Carter (DEC): Thank you for having me! It’s a pleasure to discuss such an important topic.
TNE: Let’s dive right in. Chris Wright has been a controversial figure, mainly for his views on climate change. He has stated, “there is no climate crisis.” Given his perspective, how do you foresee this influencing energy policy in the coming administration?
DEC: That’s a great question. Wright’s skepticism regarding climate change will likely steer policy towards fossil fuel reliance rather than renewable energy sources. His alignment with oil companies indicates a potential rollback of efforts aimed at reducing carbon emissions. This choice might prioritize short-term economic gains over long-term sustainability.
TNE: President-elect Trump has mentioned a goal of achieving a “new golden age of American prosperity and world peace.” How might Wright’s leadership at the Department of Energy align with this vision?
DEC: While the rhetoric of prosperity and peace sounds appealing, it can be misleading. Wright’s focus on “innovation” may refer to extracting more fossil fuels using new technology rather than investing in clean energy alternatives. If the emphasis remains on traditional energy sources, the result could be economic prosperity for specific sectors, especially oil and gas, while neglecting broader environmental and global health concerns.
TNE: You mentioned broader environmental concerns. Given the urgency of climate change, do you think this nomination sends a message to the international community?
DEC: Absolutely. The global community is increasingly aware of the need for cooperation in addressing climate issues. By appointing someone who dismisses the climate crisis, the U.S. could be viewed as stepping back from its leadership role in global climate initiatives. This could undermine international agreements like the Paris Accord and deter other countries from committing to their own climate goals.
TNE: In light of this, what do you believe will be the reaction from both the public and the scientific community regarding this nomination?
DEC: The scientific community is likely to voice strong opposition, emphasizing the need for evidence-based policies that reflect current climate science. Public sentiment may be mixed; some may support a revival of fossil fuels due to immediate economic concerns, while others, particularly younger generations who prioritize sustainability, may protest against such an anti-climate agenda.
TNE: Looking ahead, what steps could activists and concerned citizens take to promote a more sustainable energy policy in this new political climate?
DEC: Grassroots movements will be crucial in this context. Activists should focus on raising awareness about the realities of climate change, advocating for renewable energy investments, and holding the new administration accountable. Engaging with local communities to promote clean energy initiatives and lobby for legislative change can help counterbalance the federal approach.
TNE: Thank you, Dr. Carter, for your insights on this pressing issue. It will be interesting to see how this nomination plays out and the long-term implications it holds for energy policy.
DEC: Thank you for having me. I hope for a constructive dialogue around these critical issues.
TNE: And thank you to our audience for tuning in. Stay informed and engaged as we navigate these important discussions together. Until next time!