President-elect Donald Trump said on Saturday that oil and gas industry executive Chris Wright, a staunch defender of fossil fuel use, would be his pick to lead the Department of Energy.
Wright is the founder and CEO of Liberty Energy, an oilfield services firm based in Denver.
He has stood out among oil and gas executives for his freewheeling style, and describes himself as a tech nerd.
The secretary also oversees the aging U.S. nuclear weapons complex, nuclear energy waste disposal, and 17 national labs.
If confirmed by the Senate, Wright will replace Jennifer Granholm, a supporter of electric vehicles, emerging energy sources like geothermal power and a backer of carbon-free wind, solar and nuclear energy.
Persons:
Donald Trump, Chris Wright, Wright, we’re, ” Wright, Biden, Trump, Jennifer Granholm
Organizations:
Department of Energy, Liberty Energy, Strategic Petroleum Reserve, Office, Senate, Republicans, Democrats
Locations:
Denver, Soviet, U.S, —, United States