Lawmakers questioned President-elect Trump's energy secretary on climate change, the Los Angeles wildfires and the Biden administration's green energy agenda during a confirmation hearing that was disrupted by several climate protesters.
The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee held a confirmation hearing for Chris Wright, CEO of Liberty Energy and Trump’s nominee to head the Department of Energy, on Wednesday, which was also his birthday.
The Trump nominee was introduced by Democratic Sen. John Hickenlooper of Colorado, who described him as having an "unbridled passion for fossil fuels." Wright's response focused on energy dominance, saying climate change is a "real problem," global energy demand and his concern for growing energy resources.
"The United States has a historic opportunity to secure our energy system, provide leadership in science and technology innovation, manage our weapons stockpiles, and fulfill our Cold War legacy waste commitments," Wright said in his opening remarks.
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Chris Wright, CEO of Liberty Energy and U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for U.S. Secretary of Energy, during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources in Washington, D.C., U.S., Wednesday, January 15, 2025 . (to Drago)
Wright said he has identified three "urgent missions" if nominated: unlocking American energy, leading the world in innovation and technological breakthroughs, and increasing American production.
"President Trump shares my passion for energy, and if confirmed, I will work tirelessly as an unabashed steward of all affordable, reliable and secure American energy," Wright told the committee. Implement his bold agenda."
Republicans such as Montana Sen. Steve Daines have questioned Biden administration policies such as bans on liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports, regulations on home appliances and, most recently, blocking offshore drilling.
Multiple Democratic senators claimed that committee chairman Mike Lee, R-Utah, scheduled the confirmation hearing before providing committee members with all necessary documents about Wright. Other Democrats took to the microphone to claim that the Los Angeles fires were caused by "climate change."
President-elect Donald Trump holds a campaign rally at PPG Paints Arena on November 4, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Chip Somodevilla)
“Despite the misinformation circulating at the Capitol, in California, and everywhere in between, it’s clear that the size and scale of these fires were caused simply by unseasonably dry vegetation and extremely high winds, both of which Direct factors. The consequences of climate change," Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., said at the hearing.
Asked about climate change, Wright said he believed it was a "real problem"
"I've been studying and tracking the data and evolution of climate change for at least 20 years," Wright said. "It's a global problem. It's a real problem. It's a challenging problem." He added that he Believes the solution to climate change "is to develop our energy systems".
Fox News Digital captured footage of several climate change protesters disrupting Wright's hearing on Wednesday.
A protester holds a "Los Angeles Burns Oil Profits Big... " banner. (Bill Clark)
When Wright was questioned, one protester stood up and asked if his policies would "put out the fire in Los Angeles."
"Are you going to ask any questions? Or just play softball on climate throughout this whole thing," said another protester who was ushered out of the hearing room.
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Several other climate protesters were stationed outside the hearing room, their shirts reading: "I will not let my future burn."