Trump’s Historic Cabinet Appointment to Enhance US Energy Sector

President-elect Donald Trump has selected Chris Wright, CEO of Liberty Energy, as his nominee for Secretary of Energy — a choice that makes clear sense.

At 59 years old, Wright is a trained engineer from MIT, having founded and managed multiple shale gas enterprises since the 1990s. His latest venture, Liberty Energy, boasts a valuation in the billions.

Wright brings a wealth of experience and success as an energy entrepreneur, precisely the expertise needed to realize Trump’s ambition of restoring American energy dominance.

His credentials markedly contrast with those of past Energy secretaries, none of whom had substantial experience in energy production.

This is unexpected, considering the department was established in 1977 in direct response to the energy crisis of the 1970s.

Instead of appointing experts in the energy field to lead its mission, subsequent presidents have often chosen political figures and bureaucrats with little to no achievements for the American energy sector.

Meanwhile, innovators like Wright have pioneered hydrofracturing, or fracking, technology, which liberated the United States from reliance on the OPEC-controlled global oil market during the Obama administration.

This development was a significant and often overlooked victory for America: Currently, 90% of our oil production depends on fracking.

Fracking enabled America to weather the Obama-era challenges to the coal industry.

During Trump’s first term, the U.S. achieved energy dominance for the first time in decades, largely thanks to fracking.

Even though the Biden administration is perceived as reinstating OPEC’s control over global oil prices, the American oil and gas sector still reached record production levels through fracking in the past four years, mitigating the adverse impacts of Biden’s policies.

All this progress can be attributed to leaders like Chris Wright.

Unsurprisingly, the left has criticized Wright, not only for his pro-fossil fuel stance but also for his skepticism toward the climate agenda.

This criticism is merely a diversion. Regardless of Wright’s opinions on the climate debate, voters have re-elected Trump, who campaigned with the prominent “Drill, baby, drill” slogan and has described the climate issue as a “hoax.”

Consequently, voters have effectively determined the direction of fossil-fuel and climate policy for the next four years. Secretary Wright will execute President Trump’s energy strategies, not his own.

Many Republicans argue for the dissolution of the Department of Energy altogether.

It lacks a history of notable achievements in the promotion and expansion of American energy.

Its responsibilities regarding nuclear energy and weapons could easily be managed by other agencies, and its national labs deliver minimal value.

However, closing it down would require Congressional action — and it is uncertain whether a closely divided legislature could muster enough votes for that soon.

As we navigate the existence of the Department of Energy, let’s finally put it under the leadership of a true energy expert and seasoned entrepreneur.

Wright possesses a rare understanding of energy: its production, financing, and overall mechanics.

If anyone can transform the Department of Energy into an effective agency for reinstating America’s energy supremacy, it is Chris Wright.

Steve Milloy is a senior legal fellow at the Energy and Environment Legal Institute.