When President-elect Donald Trump nominated Denver’s Chris Wright as secretary of the U.S. Department of Energy, the predictable howls from the left were swift and loud. Trump’s nominations often sparked kneejerk reactions, sometimes for good reason.
Yet, in this instance, critics may have overlooked Wright’s qualifications, vision, and potential to bridge deep divides on energy policy. Here’s why Wright’s nomination could be a bright spot in a contentious political landscape.
An expert in his field
Chris Wright brings to the DOE a depth of expertise rarely seen in cabinet appointments. With a degree in mechanical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and graduate work in electrical engineering at both MIT and UC Berkeley, he has the kind of technical mind the Department of Energy needs. Wright’s qualifications align directly with the DOE’s mission of advancing scientific and technological innovation.
While the DOE is often misunderstood as a regulatory agency for oil and gas, its primary responsibilities include promoting energy security, managing nuclear energy and weapons, and advancing research in physical sciences. Wright’s technical acumen and experience make him uniquely suited to lead this charge.
A pragmatic advocate for nuclear energy and safety
Wright is someone who looks at all the data before coming to any conclusions. He has the technical skills to understand complex data and both assimilate and process information. Given DOE’s singular role in both the development of Nuclear Electric Power as well as the updating of and need for increased safety for our Military’s potentially world-ending nuclear capability, Wright is an ideal candidate to achieve these objectives.
One of Wright’s most compelling qualities is his support for Nuclear Power. As a carbon-free energy source, Nuclear Power has the potential to unite environmentalists and industry advocates. Wright understands and will drive solutions to the challenges of Nuclear Power, from regulatory hurdles to public skepticism, and will champion innovations such as Small Modular Reactors to overcome these barriers.
An environmentalist in industry’s clothing
Critics often paint Wright as a fossil fuel advocate because of his role as CEO of Liberty Energy, a company providing technical services to the oil and gas industry. However, this oversimplification ignores Liberty’s groundbreaking environmental initiatives.
Under Wright’s leadership, Liberty has tackled noise, pollution, and traffic issues associated with drilling, setting a new standard for environmentally sensitive practices in the industry. Wright has shown the entire industry it can produce hydrocarbon products in a much safer manner while being more environmentally sensitive. He singlehandedly has pushed the entire industry in directions which benefits all of us.
Wright considers himself an environmentalist and has great respect for the planet. He simply sees the world in a multifaceted manner which puts him at odds with many self-described environmentalists. He is someone committed to finding practical solutions to complex challenges. His approach demonstrates that sustainability and industry can coexist, offering a template for meaningful progress in a Republican Administration.
A focus on global energy equity
Wright has a holistic perspective on energy. He is not a climate change “denier” and he does believe climate change is happening as a result of human activity and that it has numerous deleterious impacts.
However, he is simultaneously concerned about addressing the immediate plights of billions of people on the planet who lack access to sufficient energy resources and, in many cases, do not have access to electricity at all, forcing them literally “to live in the dark.” For Wright, access to energy isn’t just a technical issue; rather, it’s a humanitarian one.
To meet today’s needs of the hundreds of millions of people without electricity means providing fossil fuel sources to them — resources that are readily available and are environmentally far superior to burning wood, brush, or dung, as millions do right now.
Wright recognizes that lifting people out of poverty — especially women in developing regions — requires access to energy. For now, that may mean providing fossil fuels as a bridge solution until cleaner technologies become globally viable in terms of availability and cost. His philosophy balances immediate needs with long-term sustainability, making him an advocate for practical, compassionate energy policies.
Wright’s focus, therefore, is on how to provide life-saving energy to those desperately in need while minimizing emissions” rather than allowing people to suffer.
Independence and intellectual curiosity
Throughout Wright’s career, he has demonstrated a willingness to challenge conventional thinking, even within his own industry. He is not afraid to state opinions different from those around him regardless of their position. That will bode well for all of us in a Trump Administration that is unlikely to be friendly to the environment.
His independence has driven innovations in extraction processes and environmental standards, and that unconventionality is likely to influence his approach as Secretary of Energy.
Wright’s open-mindedness definitely extends to climate change. While he acknowledges its impacts, his focus is on adaptive strategies and realistic solutions, such as balancing energy demand with emissions reductions. His pragmatic approach may frustrate ideological purists, but it positions him as a problem-solver in an era that desperately needs one.
A listener and communicator
I have been fortunate to have been the host of more Energy and Environmental programs on broadcast television than anyone in the television industry and have had Wright as one of several panelists on ten programs (HarberTV.com/Fracking) so I have seen him firsthand and been able to observe him in-depth.
In particular, I have quite been impressed with how good a listener Wright is — especially to views which differ from his own — and his willingness to change his mind. Wright doesn’t just hear arguments; he engages with them, often re-evaluating his own positions based on new evidence.
Equally notable is Wright’s ability to communicate complex ideas in ways that resonate with both technical experts and everyday citizens. This skill will be invaluable as he navigates the often-polarized energy policy landscape.
A realist on climate and energy
Wright recognizes that energy demand is increasing — not just in affluent nations but also in developing regions striving for basic infrastructure. He also understands that technologies like Artificial Intelligence and cryptocurrency “mining” will further drive energy consumption. Wright’s goal is to meet these demands in the most environmentally responsible way possible.
As someone concerned about climate change, his focus has been on how communities around the world can adapt to impacts so as to save lives today and in the future.
At the same time, Wright does not see Americans and others in developed nations — regardless of political persuasion or even the degree of their concern about climate change — reducing their travel, eliminating their massive consumption of goods and services, not investing in energy-consuming crypto, or foregoing the use of AI.
Wright understands that wealthy societies are demanding more Energy and impoverished societies desperately need and deserve access to even far more Energy. As demand skyrockets, he knows only an “All of the above” approach will have a chance of meeting the world’s needs.
His goal at DOE will be to help make this happen in as cost-effective and environmentally-friendly manner as possible. This realism is exactly what the DOE needs in a leader: someone who can balance environmental priorities with the realities of U.S. and global energy needs.
It’s understandable that many environmental groups, Democrats, and others — especially those most concerned about climate change — are unhappy with Trump’s selection of Wright. Those of us who do see climate change as an existential threat, likely would make another choice.
However, given that “President Harris” is not making the pick, Chris Wright ultimately will be seen by even people on the Left as one of President Trump’s best and most reasonable selections over the next four years.
His expertise, pragmatism, and genuine concern for both the environment and global energy equity make him a rare figure in today’s political landscape. Over time, even his critics may come to appreciate what he brings to the table.
Aaron Harber is the host of “The Aaron Harber Show,” (HarberTV.com/Info) and its award-winning “Energy Roundtable” series (HarberTV.com/Awards). His academic work at Princeton University was in energy and, prior to his work as a journalist, he served as a consultant for the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the U.S. Energy Information Administration and a public utility (Xcel’s Public Service Company). Email Aaron@HarberTV.com.
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