Wright Must Make Real Commitments to Protect Jobs and Lower Costs

Washington, D.C. — Today, Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Energy, Chris Wright, appeared before the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. In response to the hearing, Climate Power executive director Lori Lodes issued the following statement:

“Chris Wright made his fortune in fossil fuels while downplaying the severity of the climate crisis. Right now, as so many Americans are losing their homes and loved ones from climate-fueled wildfires, we need leaders at every level of government who take these threats seriously and don’t parrot conspiracy theories. If confirmed as Secretary of Energy, Chris Wright must make real commitments to continue investing in clean energy, which is lowering energy costs for Americans and spurring the creation of more than 400,000 jobs across the country. This is how we strengthen our grid while creating true American leadership in fighting climate change.”

Here are the facts: 

• Clean energy investments are revitalizing American communities — mostly in Republican districts. They have already spurred more than 750 new clean energy projects or expansions, creating more than 400,000 new jobs.
• American families have saved billions of dollars via clean energy tax credits, and they’re set to save as much as $38 billion on their electricity bills by 2030.
• Clean energy is cheaper, and transitioning to clean energy would reduce U.S. electricity prices by 20 to 80 percent by 2040.