A Senate confirmation hearing for President-elect Donald Trump's Energy Secretary candidate, Chris Wright, was repeatedly interrupted by climate protesters Thursday.
Breitbart reported that Wright faced vocal opposition over his ties to the fossil fuel industry during the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources hearing, which was disrupted multiple times by climate activists concerned about environmental impacts.
The session was interrupted at least five times within the first hour, causing notable delays. Wright, currently the CEO of Liberty Energy, was subjected to significant protests that disrupted the proceedings, leading to a brief recess. Capitol police intervened to manage the unrest within the hearing room.
Chris Wright's nomination by Trump came after the recent presidential election, with Trump emphasizing Wright's key role in the American Shale Revolution. As head of Liberty Energy, Wright's extensive connections within the fossil fuel industry were a primary concern for the activists present.
Supporters of the Green New Deal, most notably the Sunrise Movement, staged an organized protest outside the hearing. The Sunrise Movement strongly opposes Wright's appointment, citing it as an ill-advised choice amidst the climate crisis and ongoing wildfires in California.
The climate movement's mantra was heard inside the hearing room with one activist proclaiming, "I'm 18 years old, and I want a future." The phrase captured the frustration of many young protesters worried about the future impact of energy policies shaped by fossil fuel interests.
Inside the Senate chambers, several Democratic Senators, including Bernie Sanders, Ed Markey, and Ro Khanna, expressed their support for the activists' cause. The lawmakers have long advocated for aggressive climate action and were vocal in their criticism of Wright's nomination.
Wright, who is also set to serve on the new Council of National Energy, addressed the concerns brought up during the hearings. He stated that the current energy discussion is a "complicated dialogue," emphasizing the need to understand the trade-offs associated with different energy sources.
Wright countered the protests, saying, "You have to understand that there isn’t dirty energy or clean energy — all energies are different, and they all have different trade-offs."
President-elect Trump has reiterated his vision for the Council of National Energy to oversee a streamlined path towards U.S. energy independence. The council aims to promote innovation and reduce bureaucratic barriers across all forms of American energy, according to Trump's previous statements.
Trump commended Wright as "one of the pioneers who helped launch the American Shale Revolution," underscoring Wright's contributions to what Trump describes as American energy independence.
During the hearing, Wright referenced previous public discourse where he critiqued companies like The North Face for relying heavily on oil and gas products. These comments highlight his approach to engaging in energy debates that encompass a broad spectrum of energy sources, including nuclear, solar, and geothermal energy.
Meanwhile, the fires in Los Angeles were referenced by protestors as tangible evidence of the urgent need for a sustainable energy policy. The Sunrise Movement articulated their concerns clearly, stating that the severity of disasters like these necessitates leadership that prioritizes climate action.
The group, in their statement, emphasized, “As fires level entire neighborhoods in Los Angeles, the last thing we need is to put an oil CEO in charge of energy policy.”
