Rep. Stansbury: Oil and Gas Executive Nominated to Lead DOE will destroy U.S. progress on climate
Oil and Gas Executive Chis Wright makes clear he will unleash energy policies that will threaten the climate in his confirmation hearing
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Representative Melanie Stansbury (NM-01) released a statement following the Senate confirmation hearing of Donald Trump’s nominee for Energy Secretary, Chris Wright.
“Donald Trump has made clear he will dismantle U.S. climate policies and has nominated a climate denier and oil and gas executive to lead the Department of Energy—which is why Chris Wright is unfit to be Secretary of Energy, period,” said Rep. Melanie Stansbury (NM-01). “As the nation is grappling with devastating wildfires and increasing natural disasters, all we have to do is look outside to understand we are in the midst of a climate crisis. We need leaders who will follow the science and who are not beholden to the oil and gas industry.
“Wright has said, ‘The hype over wildfires is just hype,’ and that ‘There is no climate crisis' or 'energy transition either.’ It is clear Wright is here to advance Trump’s ‘drill, baby, drill’ agenda. As we reach critical climate tipping points, we must prioritize clean energy—not kowtowing to corporate interests and their friends.
“Americans deserve leaders who will protect their health, their safety, their lives, and the planet. Chris Wright is not that leader.”
Rep. Stansbury is a climate leader on Capitol Hill and nationally. She has served on the House Committee on Natural Resources since being elected to Congress in 2021 and worked in the field of water and climate sustainability for more than 20 years. Last year, Rep. Stansbury helped lead climate justice work on the Committee and back home with numerous roundtables with state, local, and tribal leaders, and industry, labor, and community advocates.
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