OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
A name has emerged to join the administration of President-elect Donald Trump and it is certain to have liberals pulling what is left of their hair out of their heads.
Democrats and some in the media have been livid with the president-elect’s picks for key spots in his administration, and this one should be more of the same as he has tapped campaign donor and fossil fuel executive Chris Wright to serve as energy secretary.
“I am thrilled to announce that Chris Wright will be joining my Administration as both United States Secretary of Energy, and Member of the newly formed Council of National Energy,” the president-elect said to supporters in an email on Saturday.
“Chris has been a leading technologist and entrepreneur in Energy. He has worked in Nuclear, Solar, Geothermal, and Oil and Gas. Most significantly, Chris was one of the pioneers who helped launch the American Shale Revolution that fueled American Energy Independence, and transformed the Global Energy Markets and Geopolitics,” he said.
“The Council of National Energy will consist of all Departments and Agencies involved in the permitting, production, generation, distribution, regulation, transportation, of ALL forms of American Energy. This Council will oversee the path to U.S. ENERGY DOMINANCE by cutting red tape, enhancing private sector investments across all sectors of the Economy, and by focusing on INNOVATION over longstanding, but totally unnecessary, regulation,” the president-elect said.
“Chris Wright has known and worked for years with Doug Burgum, Council Chairman and Interior Secretary designate. This team will drive U.S. Energy Dominance, which will drive down Inflation, win the A.I. arms race with China (and others), and expand American Diplomatic Power to end Wars all across the World,” he said.
“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,’” he said.
American Petroleum Institute President Mike Sommers said that the pick’s experience in the energy sector “gives him an important perspective that will inform his leadership” of the Energy Department, The Associated Press reported.
“We look forward to working with him once confirmed to bolster American geopolitical strength by lifting DOE’s pause on LNG export permits and ensuring the open access of American energy for our allies around the world,” he said.
But Jackie Wong, the Natural Resources Defense Council senior vice president for climate and energy, sounded the alarm on the pick.
“The Energy Department should be doing all it can to develop and expand the energy sources of the 21st century, not trying to promote the dirty fuels of the last century,” she said. “Given the devastating impacts of climate-fueled disasters, DOE’s core mission of researching and promoting cleaner energy solutions is more important now than ever.”
Wyoming Republican Sen. John Barrasso praised the pick as a bold choice, the kind that the president-elect promised.
“He’s an energy innovator who laid the foundation for America’s fracking boom. After four years of America last energy policy, our country is desperate for a secretary who understands how important American energy is to our economy and our national security,″ he said.
The president-elect gave background on the pick in his press release.
“Self-described tech nerd turned entrepreneur, Chris Wright is the founder, Chief Executive Officer, and Chairman of the Board of Liberty Energy (NYSE: LBRT). Chris is a dedicated humanitarian with a passion for bringing the benefits of energy to every community in the world. This passion has inspired a career in energy, working not only in oil and gas but nuclear, solar, and geothermal. Chris embraces all energy sources if they are abundant, affordable, and reliable,” he said.
“Chris is a bold advocate who brings rational thought to the energy dialogue. He has spoken on energy and the merits of the Shale Revolution to the UK House of Lords and US state and federal lawmakers. Chris has had multiple appearances on network TV, documentaries, and podcasts. Chris’ #ThankYouNorthFace campaign went viral with over 5 million views, sparking a sober discussion on the multiple efficient uses of oil and gas in everyday products,” the president-elect said.
