US president-elect Donald Trump has selected a campaign donor and fossil fuel executive to serve as energy secretary in his second administration.
Chris Wright, the chief executive of oilfield services company Liberty Energy, is a vocal advocate of oil and gas development, including fracking, a key pillar of Trump’s quest to achieve US “energy dominance” in the global market.
Wright has been one of the industry’s loudest voices against efforts to fight climate change and could give fossil fuels a boost, including quick action to end a year-long pause on natural gas export approvals by the Biden administration.
Wright also has criticised what he calls a “top-down” approach to climate by liberal and left-wing groups and said the climate movement around the world is “collapsing under its own weight”.
Consideration of Wright to head the administration’s energy department won support from influential conservatives, including oil and gas tycoon Harold Hamm.
Hamm, executive chairman of Oklahoma-based Continental Resources, a major shale oil company, is a longtime Trump supporter and adviser who played a key role on energy issues in Trump’s first term.
Hamm helped organise an event at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in April where industry leaders and lobbyists were reportedly asked to donate $US1 billion ($A1.5 billion) dollars to Trump’s campaign, with the expectation Trump would curtail environmental regulations if re-elected.
The Energy Department is responsible for advancing the energy, environmental and nuclear security of the United States.
The agency is in charge of maintaining the country’s nuclear weapons, oversees 17 national research laboratories and approves natural gas exports, as well as ensuring environmental clean-up of the nation’s nuclear weapons complex.
It also promotes scientific and technological research.
Republican Senator John Barrasso, who is expected to become chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, said Trump promised bold choices for his cabinet, and Wright’s nomination delivers.
“He’s an energy innovator who laid the foundation for America’s fracking boom,” Barrasso said.
“After four years of America-last energy policy, our country is desperate for a secretary (of energy) who understands how important American energy is to our economy and our national security.
“Wright will help ensure America remains committed to an all-of-the-above energy policy that puts American families first.”
Thomas Pyle, president of the American Energy Alliance, a conservative group that supports fossil fuels, said Wright would be “an excellent choice” for energy secretary. Pyle led Trump’s Energy Department transition team in 2016.
Liberty is a major energy industry service provider, with a focus on technology.
AP, via AAP.
