NEW ADMINISTRATION AND CONGRESS SHAPE UP: SENATE HEARS FROM DOE NOMINEE CHRIS WRIGHT

Yesterday, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to lead the U.S. Department of Energy, Chris Wright sat in front of the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources fielding questions for hours. 

Wright, the founder, chief executive, and chair of the board of Liberty Energy, a Denver-based energy development company specializing in fracking, and board member for Oklo, a Silicon Valley-based developer for small modular reactors, made many comments made in support of nuclear energy and the cleanup mission. 

Nuclear Waste and Cleanup Mission:

When asked about nuclear waste, specifically about Yucca Mountain from Senator Catherine Cortez Masto, (D-NV), Wright acknowledged that to find a solution, “… you need to have on board the local community as well. Nevadans… have deep concerns about seeing that facility [Yucca Mountain] go ahead, and I think that’s your answer”.

Wright acknowledged that much of the issue surrounding the nuclear waste problem is not technical, but rather political. He vowed to work with Congress to find a solution, “I will work with you and with senators across the country to find long-term disposal of nuclear waste and I agree with you that a central part of that is going to be local buy-in”. 

Wright faced questions from Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) on the Tri-Party agreement at the Hanford site. Mainly asking if Wright would uphold the agreement and fight for the budget necessary to maintain the current timeline and cleanup process, “The majority of our plutonium was produced there- not just for World War II, but [for the] post-war period and our arsenal today… Hanford gave a lot to this country, and we left behind a mess that needs to be cleaned up,” stated Wright. 

New Nuclear Deployment

Wright also spoke in support of nuclear energy, and all types of energy production. Wright states on his LinkedIn page, “I am all in on energy from my start in nuclear, solar and geothermal to my current efforts in oil and gas and next generation geothermal… I don’t care where energy comes, as long as it is secure, reliable, affordable and betters human lives”.

 Wright spoke about making efforts to expand the deployment of next generation reactors soon. When asked how he would use his position as Energy Secretary to improve the development and deployment of SMRs, Wright said, “To compete globally, we must expand energy production, including commercial nuclear and liquefied natural gas, and cut the cost of energy for Americans”. 

Wright is expected in win a majority in the Republican controlled Senate and has vowed to cut all ties in the Energy Industry once confirmed. It is possible that Wright might gain some Democrat votes. Senator John Hickenlooper (D-CO) introduced Wright at the start and expressed how the two have been friendly for years despite having disagreements on certain issues like global warming and fossil fuels. Senator Hickenlooper mentioned that despite the disagreements, Wright was “a scientist who is open to discussion”. 

Undesecretaries

The President-elect also announced his picks for DOE’s undersecretary positions as well. Wells Griffith is designated to be undersecretary of energy at DOE, and Darío Gil to be the undersecretary for science and innovation. Former Rep. Brandon Williams of New York, a Navy veteran, would serve as undersecretary for nuclear security and as the administrator of DOE's National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA).

Griffith, who held numerous roles at DOE and the White House during Trump's first term, including as acting assistant secretary for international affairs at DOE, and is also a part of the Trump Administration’s DOE landing team. Gil served on the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology during Trump's firm term.

Appropriations Subcommittees 

In related news, House Republicans have assembled their rosters for the House Appropriations Committee, including the Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development. Counted among the members of the subcommittee include multiple congressmen who represent EM communities: 

  • Chair: Chuck Fleischmann of Tennessee (TN-3)

    • District includes Oak Ridge and the Y-12 Security Complex

    • Fleischmann is also a member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee

  • Mike Simpson of Idaho (ID-2)

    • District includes Butte County, Idaho Falls, and Idaho National Lab (INL)

    • Simpson is also Chair of the Interior & Environment Appropriations Subcommittee

  • Dan Newhouse of Washington (WA-4)

    • District includes the Tri-Cities Area and the Hanford Site

Other Republican representatives on the subcommittee include: 

  • Vice Chair: Michael Cloud of Texas (TX-27)

  • Ken Calvert of California (CA-41)

  • Guy Reschenthaler of Pennsylvania (PA-14)

  • Michael Guest of Mississippi (MS-3)

  • Scott Franklin of Florida (FL-18)

  • Celeste Maloy of Utah (UT-2)

Note that this list does not include Democrats that will sit on the committee. ECA will continue to provide updated on Chris Wright’s nomination and as the new Administration and Congress establish themselves. 

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