President Trump hit the ground running after being inaugurated and wasted no time publicizing his energy secretary pick, Chris Wright, a fossil fuel executive. Playing to the Trump agenda, he announced during his confirmation hearing he planned to promote all sources of domestic energy while also acknowledging that climate change results from fossil fuel burning. Still, Wright believes the production of fossil fuels can bring prosperity to a global level.
Wright’s nomination went before the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources for confirmation and was met with support and opposition. Before its conclusion, protestors attempted to derail his confirmation at various points. As a fossil fuel crusader, Wright promises an America-first energy future.
Bold energy agenda
While President Trump continues to tout his “drill, baby, drill” mantra, Wright followed suit with his own promise to “unleash energy security and prosperity.”
“President Trump shares my passion for energy,” Wright said.” And if confirmed, I will work tirelessly to implement his bold agenda as an unabashed steward for all sources of affordable, reliable, and secure American energy.”
Wright made clear his intentions and identified oil and natural gas as pillars of the nation’s economy, in addition to coal, nuclear, and hydropower, as major viable sources of energy production. He additionally included wind and solar as important sources and foresaw geothermal as growing into a large player in the domestic energy sector.
Highlighting alternative sources
Geothermal energy has been making headlines, and a focus is gleaming a potentially exciting future for its demand. Wright is well-versed in geothermal energy and serves on the board of directors of Oklo, a development firm specializing in small modular nuclear reactors. Additionally, his company is an investor in Fervo Energy, a geothermal company based in Houston, Texas.
Wright sees a growing demand for electricity worldwide. He believes further development of nuclear energy will play an expansive role in meeting that demand and sees geothermal energy as an “enormous, abundant energy resource below everyone’s feet.”
Republican senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska inquired if Wright would pledge his support of a mega-gas project proposed in her state. The project would export liquified natural gas globally. Wright expressed interest in the project and acknowledged it as an excellent opportunity for the country.
Addressing his climate change stance
The more striking aspect of Wright’s energy outlook is his stance on climate change. Quoted as saying his climate change position is “more subtle than is publicly recognized,” Senator Angus King of Maine reasons Wright’s viewpoints reflect an acceptance that climate change is occurring and is directly correlated to the combustion of fossil fuels.
Wright referenced the modern world’s reliance on hydrocarbons as necessary, but climate change is the tradeoff. He added that since the planet has increased atmospheric carbon dioxide by half, the Earth has seen increased difficulty in shedding heat. While not crediting the dirty or clean energy argument, Wright says multiple energy sources are available, and each carries its own impacts on the climate.
“Energy is critical to human lives. Climate change is a global challenge that we need to solve, Wright said. “And tradeoffs between those two are the decisions politicians make and they’re the decisions that will impact the future of our world and our quality of life.”
Finding the middle ground
As the United States and other energy players worldwide attempt to thwart the energy crisis, little action is taken. Instead, the opposing parties all too often take a black-or-white approach and fail to find common ground.
Oil and gas remain a critical and dominating source of energy production. Additionally, alternative energy forms have just as critical a role to play in the energy production game. The key to success lies in the ability to see each side of the argument and work together to find a solution. Wright’s acknowledgment of the climate crisis while still promoting the importance of hydrocarbons certainly suggests he will look beyond the basic argument to facilitate a cohesive energy production solution.
Compromise is key, and by recognizing the benefits and shortcomings, Wright stands positioned to support domestic energy dominance through a multiple energy stream strategy. Through this course of action, a partnership of energy sources could be embraced. Recognizing and finding common ground on the essential and problematic issues, Wright can bring all parties together to work in unison to achieve President Trump’s goal of being a self-reliant energy-rich nation.
Nick Vaccaro is a freelance writer and photographer. In addition to providing technical writing services, he is an HSE consultant in the oil and gas industry with twelve years of experience. Vaccaro also contributes to SHALE Oil and Gas Business Magazine, American Oil and Gas Investor, Oil and Gas Investor, Energies Magazine and Louisiana Sportsman Magazine. He has a BA in photojournalism from Loyola University and resides in the New Orleans area. Vaccaro can be reached at 985-966-0957 or nav@vaccarogroupllc.com.
- Nick Vaccarohttps://energiesmedia.com/author/nick-vaccaro/
- Nick Vaccarohttps://energiesmedia.com/author/nick-vaccaro/
- Nick Vaccarohttps://energiesmedia.com/author/nick-vaccaro/
- Nick Vaccarohttps://energiesmedia.com/author/nick-vaccaro/
- Nick Vaccarohttps://energiesmedia.com/author/nick-vaccaro/
- Nick Vaccarohttps://energiesmedia.com/author/nick-vaccaro/
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