Trump’s Energy Nominee Worried By Climate Protesters, Derided By Dems
Lawmakers have questioned the nomination of President Trump’s energy secretary on climate change, the Los Angeles wildfires and the Biden administration’s green energy agenda, which has seen disruption from many climate opponents.
The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee is celebrating Chris Wright, Liberty Energy Inc.’s birthday on Wednesday. CEO and Trump held confirmation hearings to head the Energy Department.
Trump’s running mate was introduced by Democratic senator John Hickenlooper of Colorado, who he described as a “relentless fossil fuel zealot.” Wright focused his responses on energy dominance, climate change as a “real issue”, global energy demand and his focus on energy resources.
“America has a historic opportunity to secure our energy system, provide leadership in scientific and technological innovation, manage our weapons stockpile, and fulfill the Cold War’s trash promises,” Wright said in his opening remarks.
House GOP decision overturns Biden’s gas water heater ban
Wright identified three “immediate tasks” he would focus on if nominated: unleashing American power, leading the world in innovation and technological breakthroughs, and increasing manufacturing in America.
“President Trump shares my passion for energy, and if confirmed, I will work tirelessly to implement his bold agenda as an embarrassment to all of America’s affordable, reliable and secure energy sources,” Wright told the committee.
Republicans like Montana Sen. Steve Daines have raised questions about the Biden administration’s policies, such as a ban on liquefied natural gas exports, furniture regulations and a recent ban on offshore drilling.
Several Democratic senators called on the committee’s chairman, Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, to schedule his confirmation hearing before all of the required documents on Wright were presented to committee members. Other Democrats used their time on the mic to say that the Los Angeles fires were caused by “climate change.”
Despite the misinformation being spread here in the Capitol, California and everywhere in between, it is clear that these fires are only reaching their size and extent due to unseasonably dry vegetation and extremely high winds, both of which are direct. the result of climate change,” Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., said during the hearing.
Asked about climate change, Wright said he believes it is a “real issue.”
“I’ve been studying and tracking climate change data and evolution for at least 20 years now. It’s a global issue. It’s a real issue. It’s a challenging issue,” Wright said, adding that he believes in solving it. Climate change is “developing our energy system.”
Fox News Digital filmed several climate change protesters who disrupted Wright’s hearing on Wednesday.
While Wright was being questioned, a protester stood up and asked if the policies would “put out the fire in LA.”
Another protester who was removed from the courtroom said: “In this climate, you’re just asking any questions or softballs.”
Click here to access the FOX NEWS app
Several other climate protesters stood outside the courtroom, holding shirts that read, “I will not let my future burn.”