Lawmakers questioned President-elect Trump's energy secretary on climate change, the Los Angeles wildfires and the Biden administration's green energy agenda during a confirmation hearing that was disrupted by several climate protesters. [emphasis, links added]
The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee held a confirmation hearing for Chris Wright, CEO of Liberty Energy and Trump’s nominee to head the Department of Energy, on Wednesday, which was also his birthday.
Trump's nominee was introduced by Colorado Democratic Sen. John Hickenlooper, who described him as “Unbridled fan of fossil fuels.”
Wright's response focused on energy dominance, saying climate change is a “real problem,” global energy demand and his concern for growing energy resources.
“The United States has a historic opportunity to secure our energy system, provide leadership in science and technology innovation, manage our weapons stockpiles, and meet legacy waste commitments from the Cold War,” Wright said in his opening remarks.
Wright said he has identified three “urgent tasks” that he will focus on if confirmed: Unleash American energy, lead the world in innovation and technological breakthroughs, and increase American production.
“President Trump shares my passion for energy and, if confirmed, As an unabashed steward of all affordable, reliable and secure American energy, I will work tirelessly to implement his bold agenda,“Wright told the committee.
Republicans such as Montana Sen. Steve Daines have questioned Biden administration policies such as bans on liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports, regulations on home appliances and, most recently, blocking offshore drilling.
Multiple Democratic senators claimed that committee chairman Mike Lee, R-Utah, scheduled the confirmation hearing before providing committee members with all necessary documents about Wright.
Other Democrats took to the microphone to claim that the Los Angeles fires were caused by “climate change.”
“Despite the misinformation circulating around the Capitol, across California, and everywhere in between, it's clear that the size and scale of these fires were caused simply by unseasonably dry vegetation and extremely high winds, both of which were direct impacts. factor.
California Sen. Alex Padilla asked Trump energy secretary nominee Chris Wright about fracking executive Chris Wright, He called the wildfires “hype to justify…bad government policies.”
Over the past week, wildfires in Los Angeles have killed dozens of people.
Wright said he stands by his opinion. pic.twitter.com/bssNUGwn0L
— A More Perfect Union (@MorePerfectUS) January 15, 2025
When asked about climate change, Wright said he believed it was a “real problem.”
“I've been studying and tracking the data and evolution of climate change for at least 20 years. It's a global problem. It's a real problem. It's a challenging problem,” Wright said, adding that he Believes the solution to climate change “is to develop our energy systems.
️Climate activists interrupt Trump Energy Department nominee Chris Wright’s opening remarks:@GCaldwell_news pic.twitter.com/43AcnJWTO7
— Daily Signal (@DailySignal) January 15, 2025
Footage captured digitally by Fox News Several climate change protesters disrupted Wright's hearing on Wednesday.
When Wright was questioned, one protester stood up and asked if his policies would “put out the fires in Los Angeles.”
“Are you going to ask any questions? Or just play softball on climate?” said another protester who was led out of the hearing room.
Several other climate protesters were stationed outside the hearing room, their shirts reading: “I will not let my future burn.”
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