Trump's pick for energy secretary is a fracking exec who downplays climate crisis

President-elect Trump has chosen Chris Wright, CEO of Liberty Energy, as his energy secretary — a fossil fuel advocate who challenges climate science and has no government experience.

Coral Davenport and Lisa Friedman report for The New York Times.

In short:

Wright, a vocal supporter of oil and gas, has long rejected mainstream climate science, aligning closely with Trump's pro-fossil fuel stance.
He plans to lift restrictions on liquefied natural gas exports, opposing the Biden administration's focus on clean energy.
Wright’s background in fracking and ties to major Trump energy donors, like billionaire Harold Hamm, underscore his alignment with Trump's fossil fuel priorities.

Key quote:

“There is no climate crisis, and we’re not in the midst of an energy transition either.”

— Chris Wright, Liberty Energy CEO

Why this matters:

Wright's background is steeped in the fossil fuel industry, particularly as a CEO in natural gas — he’s as close to a cheerleader for oil and gas as you can get. And while gas burns cleaner than coal, the drilling and export process means climate-warming methane leaks, pipeline risks, health concerns and more climate disruption.

www.nytimes.com

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