It is a big week for Senate confirmation hearings. On Wednesday, Chris Wright, the CEO of Liberty Energy and nominee for secretary of the Energy Department, will get his turn in front of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Unfortunately, if the hyperventilating statements from many environmental groups are any indication, it is likely to be a contentious, and not particularly productive, affair.
On the same day President-elect Donald Trump announced the nomination of Wright, the Sierra Club executive director blasted out a statement labeling him “utterly unqualified,” “a climate denier,” and “a direct threat to our future and the planet’s.” An executive at the Natural Resources Defense Council reportedly called Wright’s nomination “a disastrous mistake.”
While these comments may provide good fundraising taglines, they do not paint an accurate picture of Wright’s approach to energy policy. A closer examination of his record, including Liberty Energy’s 180-page “Bettering Human Lives” report, reveals a leader who acknowledges the challenges of climate change but also understands the importance of balancing environmental goals with energy reliability, economic development, and poverty alleviation. Pragmatism, not denial, defines Wright’s approach, and this perspective is precisely what the Department of Energy needs to craft durable solutions.
In the report’s opening, Wright states, “Climate change is a real and global challenge that we should and can address,” a stance that starkly contradicts the accusations of denialism. What differentiates Wright’s position is his insistence on addressing climate challenges through reasonable, science-based solutions rather than ideological purity.
Wright’s philosophy is grounded in the realities of global energy demand. Noting that only 1 billion of the world’s 8 billion people enjoy the benefits of a “highly energized lifestyle,” he argues that an abrupt move away from fossil fuels risks exacerbating this inequality while undermining energy security in developed nations. Rather than dismissing clean energy, Wright advocates a diversified approach that includes innovation in both renewable technologies and the decarbonization of traditional energy sources. He has demonstrated this firsthand through Liberty’s investments in more fuel-efficient and emissions-reducing technologies, as well as in a geothermal company.
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology-trained engineer understands the current limitations of renewable energy, noting that “solar and wind provide only part of electricity demand and do not replace the most critical uses of hydrocarbons.” He further adds that “energy-dense reliable nuclear power could be more impactful.” This balanced view contrasts sharply with the all-or-nothing approaches that often dominate public discourse.
A durable energy policy requires a practical approach that takes into consideration the complexities of the global energy landscape. History is littered with well-intentioned but poorly executed climate policies that failed because they were divorced from economic and technological realities. Wright’s philosophy — rooted in science, innovation, and a deep understanding of energy systems — offers a pathway to crafting policies that can withstand political and economic shifts.
Wright’s approach also has the potential to bridge political divides. His focus on energy affordability and access should resonate with working-class communities and developing nations, addressing concerns often overlooked in many policy circles. By recognizing the role of fossil fuels in lifting billions out of poverty, while advocating cleaner energy systems, Wright offers a vision that is both inclusive and realistic.
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The Senate has an opportunity to set aside ideological battles and evaluate Wright’s nomination on its merits. His leadership at Liberty Energy, combined with his nuanced understanding of energy and climate issues, positions him as a highly qualified and thoughtful candidate for energy secretary. The question senators should ask is not whether Wright has ties to the fossil fuel industry but whether his pragmatic approach can guide the United States toward a more balanced and effective energy policy that benefits everyone, the environment, and our energy security.
Rather than dismissing Wright based on caricatures and sound bites, senators should engage with his ideas and record. Pragmatism, not polarization, is the key to crafting solutions that will endure.
Jeff Kupfer, a former acting deputy secretary of energy in the George W. Bush administration, is the president of ConservAmerica.
This article was originally published at www.washingtonexaminer.com
