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Trump’s Energy Secretary Pick Opening Statement Promises US ‘Energy Dominance’


Chris Wright, President-elect Trump’s nominee to head the US Department of Energy, plans to tell his confirmation senators that he will focus on restoring America’s “energy dominance” at home and abroad.

Wright, a fossil fuel executive who has been critical of media blame in the past climate change for repeated wildfires, is expected to make his opening statement before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on Wednesday morning. Fox News Digital obtained a copy of the statement in advance of the hearing, which was scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. ET.

“I am humbled by the great responsibility that this position carries,” Wright is expected to say in his opening remarks. “America has a historic opportunity to secure our energy systems, provide leadership in scientific and technological innovation, manage our weapons stockpile, and meet legacy Cold War commitments.”

Describing himself as a “science geek turned tech geek turned lifelong energy entrepreneur,” Wright will tell the board that his “fascination with energy began at a young age in Denver, Colorado.” His opening statement recounts how he enrolled at MIT “specifically to work on fusion energy” and later began graduate school at the University of California, Berkeley, where he worked “on solar energy as well as power electronics.”

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CEO of Liberty Oilfield Services Inc. Chris Wright smiles as he celebrates the company’s IPO on the New York Stock Exchange on January 12, 2018. (Reuters)

“Energy is the key change agent that enables everything we do. A low-energy society is poor. A high-energy society can bring health, wealth and opportunity for all,” Wright said. “The stated mission of the company I founded – Liberty Energy – is to improve people’s lives through energy. Liberty works directly in oil, natural gas, next-generation geothermal and has partnerships in next-generation nuclear and new battery technology.”

“Energy has been my life’s passion and I’ve never been ashamed of that fact,” Wright plans to tell the board. “Again, I’ve never been shy about much. President Trump shares my passion for energy and, if confirmed, I will work tirelessly to implement his bold plan as an unabashed steward for all sources of affordable, reliable and secure American energy.”

On Tuesday, Democrats on the committee, led by Sen. Martin Heinrich of New Mexico, called for Wright’s confirmation hearing to be delayed for at least a week, saying they had not yet received “a standard financial disclosure report, an ethics agreement or opinions from the agency’s designated ethics officer and the Govt. for ethics declaring that the appointee is in accordance with ethical laws.”

Speaker Mike Lee, R-Utah, had already postponed the confirmation hearing for Doug Burgum, Trump’s pick for interior secretary, for two days until Thursday because of OGE filing delays, but Wright’s remained on Wednesday’s schedule.

Liberty Oilfield Services CEO Chris Wright at Liberty on January 17, 2018. (Andy Cross/The Denver Post via Getty Images)

If confirmed as secretary, Wright will manage energy policy and production in the United States, as well as nationally stockpile of nuclear weapons. He would also work with Burgum on the National Energy Council, where they would develop Trump’s energy dominance policies that include increased US oil and gas production.

Wright has indicated that he plans to resign as CEO and chairman of his fracking business Liberty Energy Company, if approved.

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Trump’s nominee for Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum rides an elevator in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on December 10, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

In his opening remarks, Wright identifies three “immediate” tasks on which he would focus his attention if confirmed.

“The first is to unleash American energy at home and abroad to restore energy dominance,” Wright said. “Our nation’s security starts with energy. Previous administrations have viewed energy as a liability, not the tremendous national asset that it is. To compete globally, we must expand energy production, including commercial nuclear and liquefied natural gas, and reduce energy costs.”

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“Second, we must lead the world in innovation and technological breakthroughs,” the statement continued. “In my lifetime, technology and innovation have immeasurably improved the human condition. We must protect and accelerate the Department’s national laboratory network to ensure America’s competitive advantage and its security. I pledge to work with Congress on the important missions of the national laboratory.”

“Third, we need to rebuild things in America and remove the barriers to progress,” Wright said. “Federal policies today make 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 reducing energy costs, and to do that, we prioritize cutting red tape, enabling private sector investment and building the infrastructure we need to make energy more affordable for families and businesses.”



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