Trump appoints fossil fuel Executive Chris Wright as Energy Secretary in second term

US President-elect Donald Trump has appointed Chris Wright, a prominent fossil fuel executive and campaign donor, as the Energy Secretary for his upcoming second term, Azernews reports citing the Associated Press.

Wright, who serves as the CEO of Liberty Energy, a Denver-based oil and gas company, is a staunch advocate for fossil fuel development, including fracking—a central element of Trump’s energy dominance agenda.

Known for his outspoken opposition to climate change policies, Wright has been a vocal critic of efforts to limit fossil fuel consumption and has argued that increasing oil and gas production is essential to reducing global poverty. He has consistently criticized what he calls the “top-down” approach to climate activism, which he believes is failing worldwide. While he has no prior government experience, Wright’s pro-fossil fuel stance aligns with Trump’s push for energy independence and less stringent environmental regulations.

Wright’s selection has been welcomed by influential conservative figures, including Harold Hamm, the executive chairman of Continental Resources, a major shale oil company. Hamm, a key Trump adviser on energy issues, was instrumental in organizing efforts to raise funds for Trump’s reelection campaign with the promise of rolling back environmental regulations.

A Colorado native with degrees from MIT and the University of California-Berkeley, Wright has been at the forefront of commercial shale gas production since founding Pinnacle Technologies in 1992, which helped pioneer hydraulic fracturing (fracking). He later served as chairman of Stroud Energy and founded Liberty Resources in 2010, a leading energy service provider.

Wright’s nomination follows a call by Trump ally Elon Musk for greater public involvement in the administration’s decision-making process, particularly regarding the selection of key posts such as the Treasury Secretary.