NewsFinale
  • Home
  • News
  • Local News
  • Business
  • Health
  • Finance
  • Celeb Lifestyle
  • Crime
  • Entertainment
  • Advertise Here
Gleammour AquaFresh
NewsFinale
  • Home
  • News
  • Local News
  • Business
  • Health
  • Finance
  • Celeb Lifestyle
  • Crime
  • Entertainment
  • Advertise Here
Home Local News Important points from the confirmation hearing of Trump’s nominee for energy secretary

Important points from the confirmation hearing of Trump’s nominee for energy secretary

Key takeaways from Trump's energy secretary pick's confirmation hearing
Up next
Who Was Angela Murray Before Her Big Brother Fame?
Who Was Angela Murray Before Her Big Brother Fame?
Published on 15 January 2025
Author
NewsFinale Journal
Share and Follow
FacebookXRedditPinterestWhatsApp


Chris Wright, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for energy secretary, told senators during his confirmation hearing Wednesday that he would promote all sources of American energy, while also acknowledging the burning of fossil fuels causes climate change.

Wright, a fossil fuel executive, has been one of the industry’s loudest voices against efforts to fight climate change. He believes that more fossil fuel production can lift people out of poverty around the globe. His nomination went before the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources for a confirmation hearing. Protesters interrupted it multiple times.

Here are the most interesting moments:

Wright promises to implement Trump’s “bold energy agenda”

CEO of Denver-based Liberty Energy, Wright promised to help Trump “unleash energy security and prosperity.”

The centerpiece of Trump’s energy policy is “drill, baby, drill,” and he has pledged to dismantle what he calls Democrats’ “green new scam” in favor of boosting production of fossil fuels such as oil, natural gas and coal, which cause climate change — when they burn, greenhouse gases are released.

“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.”

He said that includes oil and natural gas, which underpin the nation’s economy; coal, nuclear power and hydropower as major sources of energy; rapidly-growing wind and solar power; and geothermal energy, which could become a meaningful source of energy.

Sen. John Hickenlooper, D-Colo., called Wright an “unrestrained enthusiast for fossils fuels in almost every regard,” but noted that he studied nuclear, worked on solar energy and is a scientist who is open to discussion.

Wright says the burning of fossil fuels causes climate change

Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, said he thinks Wright’s position on climate change is “more subtle than is publicly recognized” and that he doesn’t deny climate change is happening or that it’s related to the combustion of fossil fuels, which are drastically increasing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

Wright responded “absolutely,” adding that “mostly from the combustion of hydrocarbons to enable our modern world, we’ve increased atmospheric CO2 concentration by 50%,” making it harder for the Earth to shed heat.

Though he said climate change is real, he also said “there isn’t dirty energy or clean energy.” Rather, he said, there are different sources of energy with different tradeoffs.

“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.”

Wright stands by statement that he believes ‘wildfires are just hype’

Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., asked Wright if he still believes that “wildfires are just hype” following the massive blazes in Southern California, which have killed at least 25 people and destroyed thousands of homes.

Scientists say climate change means more frequent and intense wildfires, with drought-like conditions in the western U.S., are more likely.

“You’ve written that the hype over wildfires is just hype to justify more impoverishment from bad government policies,” Padilla said. “And given the devastation that we’re currently experiencing in Los Angeles, do you still believe that wildfires are just hype?”

Wright said he stood by his past comments. He then said climate change is real before Padilla cut him off.

Padilla said, “tell that to the families of the more than two dozen lost in these fires and counting.”

Protesters interrupted the confirmation hearing multiple times

One protester yelled “LA is burning” and another shouted “I’m 18 years old and I want a future!” They held up signs that read, “big oil profits, LA burns.”

A disruption prompted the Republican Committee Chair, Sen. Mike Lee of Utah, to briefly halt the hearing, saying the committee would stand in recess until the Capitol Police could restore order.

Wright highlights geothermal energy, nuclear and natural gas production

Wright’s company is an investor in Fervo Energy, a Houston-based geothermal company that makes electricity cleanly from the Earth’s heat. He serves on the board of directors of Oklo, a developer of small modular nuclear reactors.

Wright said he’s excited about geothermal as an “an enormous, abundant energy resource below everyone’s feet.” Wright said he wants to accelerate the development of nuclear energy so it can meet a far greater share of the world’s demand for electricity.

Republican Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski asked Wright if he would support a proposed mega-gas project in her home state to export liquefied natural gas overseas. He said it’s a “tremendous idea” and “great for our country” to grow natural gas production in Alaska and build infrastructure to export it.

Wright said he will sever all ties across the energy industry if confirmed.

Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

Share and Follow
FacebookXRedditPinterestWhatsApp
You May Also Like
Second teen arrested in connection to 2025 shooting death of Tranard Sheppard
  • Local News

Second Teen Apprehended in Ongoing Investigation of 2025 Shooting Death of Tranard Sheppard

WARRENVILLE, S.C. () – Authorities from the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office announced…
  • NewsFinale Journal
  • January 22, 2026
Augusta community leader Karen Gordon announces bid for Georgia House District 130
  • Local News

Karen Gordon Launches Campaign for Georgia House District 130: Augusta Community Leader Aims to Transform Local Politics

AUGUSTA, Ga. – On Tuesday, community leader Karen Gordon made headlines by…
  • NewsFinale Journal
  • January 21, 2026
Former flight attendant posed as pilot, received hundreds of free flights: Prosecutors
  • Local News

Ex-Flight Attendant Impersonates Pilot, Scores Free Flights: Legal Authorities Reveal

In a rather audacious scheme, a former flight attendant from Canada managed…
  • NewsFinale Journal
  • January 21, 2026
BVPD: 2 arrested on drug charges after traffic stop
  • Local News

BVPD Traffic Stop Leads to Arrest of Two Suspects on Serious Drug Charges

In Bristol, Virginia, a routine traffic stop has led to serious drug…
  • NewsFinale Journal
  • January 21, 2026
Legal battles over immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota intensify
  • Local News

Minnesota’s Immigration Enforcement Operation Sparks Escalating Legal Disputes

MINNEAPOLIS – In a dramatic standoff that continues to unfold, tensions between…
  • NewsFinale Journal
  • January 21, 2026
'ICE OUT' scribbled on K-9 officer's kennel chart, DHS says
  • Local News

Shocking Message Found: ‘ICE OUT’ Scribbled on K-9 Officer’s Kennel Chart, DHS Reports

EL PASO, Texas (Border Report) — The Department of Homeland Security recently…
  • NewsFinale Journal
  • January 22, 2026
‘Great British Baking Show’ host Prue Leith is leaving: ‘Time to step back’
  • Local News

Prue Leith Bids Farewell to ‘Great British Baking Show’: Embrace Change with Her Heartfelt Exit

Prue Leith, the cherished judge and host of “The Great British Baking…
  • NewsFinale Journal
  • January 22, 2026
Air Force One turns around due to ‘a minor electrical issue’
  • Local News

Air Force One Makes Unexpected Return Over Electrical Glitch

WASHINGTON (AP) — On Tuesday evening, Air Force One, carrying President Donald…
  • NewsFinale Journal
  • January 21, 2026
'Changed the legal rules': Governor irate after state supreme court rules anti-abortion laws are unconstitutional
  • Crime

Governor Expresses Outrage Following State Supreme Court’s Decision Declaring Anti-Abortion Laws Unconstitutional

Background: The Wyoming Supreme Court building (Wyoming Judicial Branch). Inset:…
  • NewsFinale Journal
  • January 22, 2026
'Phenomenal' Nigella Lawson to 'heat up the famous tent' in major shakeup of flagship show
  • Celeb Lifestyle

Nigella Lawson Brings Exciting Twist to Iconic Cooking Show with Her Debut in the Tent

In a surprising development, Nigella Lawson appears set to join the judging…
  • NewsFinale Journal
  • January 22, 2026
Mount Maunganui: Landslide strikes popular campsite with multiple children reported missing - as desperate screams for help from a buried toilet block go quiet after 15 minutes
  • News

Tragedy at Mount Maunganui: Landslide Hits Campsite, Children Missing and Rescue Efforts Intensify

A catastrophic landslide has left multiple children missing at a well-known campsite…
  • NewsFinale Journal
  • January 22, 2026
Sepehr Saryazdi has been charged with terror offences.
  • AU

PhD Student’s Shocking Australia Day Terror Plot: What You Need to Know

A student has been accused of planning to throw a Molotov cocktail…
  • NewsFinale Journal
  • January 22, 2026
NewsFinale Journal
  • Home
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Sitemap
  • DMCA
  • Advertise Here
  • Donate