Trump Nominates Fracking Chris Wright as Energy Secretary

AFP/APP

Washington: US President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Chris Wright, a prominent fracking magnate and climate change skeptic, as the next Secretary of Energy.

The announcement on Saturday highlights the administration’s focus on bolstering fossil fuel industries and reducing regulatory hurdles.

“As Secretary of Energy, Chris will be a key leader, driving innovation, cutting red tape, and ushering in a new ‘Golden Age of American Prosperity and Global Peace,'” Trump said in a statement.

Wright, founder of Liberty Energy, has played a pivotal role in advancing hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, a process that has significantly boosted US oil and gas production. Known for his strong stance against the mainstream climate narrative, Wright has previously stated that there is no “climate crisis.”

In a LinkedIn post last year, he argued against the concept of “carbon pollution,” emphasizing that carbon dioxide is essential for life. “There is no such thing as clean energy or dirty energy; all energy sources have impacts on the world, both positive and negative,” he wrote.

The nomination is expected to draw criticism from environmental advocates, who have long opposed fracking for its environmental and climate impacts. Wright’s appointment signals a shift in energy policy under Trump’s administration, prioritizing fossil fuels over renewable energy transitions.