|
Chris Wright, the CEO of Liberty Energy and its umbrella of energy companies, is Trump's wholly unqualified pick for Secretary of Energy and is just another donor and CEO that Trump wants to reward with a powerful cabinet position. Wright has frequently and enthusiastically downplayed climate change, claiming there is no crisis, bizarrely claiming calling it a climate crisis hurts children's ability to succeed, and claiming that climate change has not fueled extreme weather events. Wright even claimed that the “hype over wildfires” was just to justify bad government policies. A video of Wright's rant against realistic views on climate change and the looming crisis was flagged as misinformation and removed from LinkedIn, where he posted it. In 2022, Wright gave a bizarre speech where he claimed that oil production in the United States was responsible for the abolition of slavery as well as giving women the right to vote. Some time after December 3, 2024, not long after his nomination by Trump, the group removed the text of his speech from their website. Wright's company has sued the Department of Labor over a rule allowing retirement plans to consider ESG when making investments, as well as suing the SEC for their climate disclosure rules. in 2024, Liberty Energy settled a racial discrimination case with the EEOC, after three employees were called slurs and given undesirable assignments after filing complaints about harassment. |
¶ CEO Of Liberty Energy
Wright Is The CEO Of Liberty Energy. [Liberty Energy, accessed 1/13/25]
¶ Credited Oil With The Abolition Of Slavery, Had The Speech Deleted From the Internet Around His Nomination
¶ Wright Claimed Oil And Natural Gas Led To The Abolition Of Slavery, Women’s’ Suffrage, And The Dwindling Number Of American Farmers
Wright: Energy From Hydrocarbons “Enabled Or Drove The Progress In Human Liberty.” In his speech, “Two Things Changed Everything: Human Liberty and Energy from Hydrocarbons” Wright said, “I have long thought that the progress in human Liberty catalyzed the harnessing of hydrocarbons as free people want…..to do things. And you can’t do anything without energy. Better energy enables better things everywhere and always. But my continued research has me now thinking that the causality runs at least as much the other way. Better energy, hydrocarbons, enabled or drove the progress in human liberty.” [Chris Wright, "Two Things Changed Everything: Human Liberty and Energy from Hydrocarbons," 11/15/22 via archive.org]
Wright Said That Oil And Natural Gas Allowed The End Of Slavery. In his speech, “Two Things Changed Everything: Human Liberty and Energy from Hydrocarbons” Wright said, “The US brought forth an even better fuel source: OIL. Oil and, a few decades later, natural gas drove the 20th century’s remarkable transformation in the human condition: doubling human life expectancy and surging wealth and health across all economic strata that made our country the greatest ever opportunity society. Economic historian Deirdre McCloskey called this transformation the Great Enrichment. This Great Enrichment was not just in the economic realm. It enabled huge progress in human liberty: the ending of slavery, the enfranchisement of women, and exploding social mobility that came from tearing down so many other legal, social and economic barriers to human progress. We all have a lot to be thankful for.” [Chris Wright, "Two Things Changed Everything: Human Liberty and Energy from Hydrocarbons," 11/15/22 via archive.org]
Wright Said That Oil And Natural Gas Allowed Women’s Suffrage. In his speech, “Two Things Changed Everything: Human Liberty and Energy from Hydrocarbons” Wright said, “The US brought forth an even better fuel source: OIL. Oil and, a few decades later, natural gas drove the 20th century’s remarkable transformation in the human condition: doubling human life expectancy and surging wealth and health across all economic strata that made our country the greatest ever opportunity society. Economic historian Deirdre McCloskey called this transformation the Great Enrichment. This Great Enrichment was not just in the economic realm. It enabled huge progress in human liberty: the ending of slavery, the enfranchisement of women, and exploding social mobility that came from tearing down so many other legal, social and economic barriers to human progress. We all have a lot to be thankful for.” [Chris Wright, "Two Things Changed Everything: Human Liberty and Energy from Hydrocarbons," 11/15/22 via archive.org]
Wright Credited Oil And Natural Gas With The Dwindling Number Of Farmers In The U.S. In his speech, “Two Things Changed Everything: Human Liberty and Energy from Hydrocarbons” Wright said, “English and Dutch citizens desiring even more political, religious, economic and social freedom founded our country. Yet in 1800, over 80% of Americans were still farmers and most still lived in grinding poverty. Today that number is less than 2% and we are the world’s largest food exporter. Why? The US brought forth an even better fuel source: OIL. Oil and, a few decades later, natural gas drove the 20th century’s remarkable transformation in the human condition: doubling human life expectancy and surging wealth and health across all economic strata that made our country the greatest ever opportunity society. Economic historian Deirdre McCloskey called this transformation the Great Enrichment.” [Chris Wright, "Two Things Changed Everything: Human Liberty and Energy from Hydrocarbons," 11/15/22 via archive.org]
¶ Wright Claimed Hydrocarbons Allowed The Dutch To Develop The First Modern Banking System
Wright Claimed Using Peat For Energy Allowed The Dutch To Create “The First Widespread Modern Flourishing Of Free People In A Free Society.” In his speech, “Two Things Changed Everything: Human Liberty and Energy from Hydrocarbons” Wright said, “The Dutch Golden Age in the early 1600’s was driven by a surge in harvesting and burning of peat used to manufacture glass, ceramics, and all sorts of other things including better farm implements. They also had a lot of beautiful windmills which are far more famous than the peat bogs, but supplied less than 5% of Dutch energy. As their energy consumption skyrocketed, so did their per capita income to the highest in the world. Civil society blossomed and Holland became a magnet for migrants wanting to expand their opportunities and better their lives. All of THIS led to the creation of the first modern banking system, a rapid innovation culture and robust commerce, both internally and externally with the unprecedented Dutch global trade. The first widespread modern flourishing of free people in a free society FOLLOWED the explosion in peat consumption.” [Chris Wright, "Two Things Changed Everything: Human Liberty and Energy from Hydrocarbons," 11/15/22 via archive.org]
Wright Claimed Using Peat For Energy Created A Flourishing Society While Windmills Did Not. In his speech, “Two Things Changed Everything: Human Liberty and Energy from Hydrocarbons” Wright said, “The Dutch Golden Age in the early 1600’s was driven by a surge in harvesting and burning of peat used to manufacture glass, ceramics, and all sorts of other things including better farm implements. They also had a lot of beautiful windmills which are far more famous than the peat bogs, but supplied less than 5% of Dutch energy. As their energy consumption skyrocketed, so did their per capita income to the highest in the world. Civil society blossomed and Holland became a magnet for migrants wanting to expand their opportunities and better their lives. All of THIS led to the creation of the first modern banking system, a rapid innovation culture and robust commerce, both internally and externally with the unprecedented Dutch global trade. The first widespread modern flourishing of free people in a free society FOLLOWED the explosion in peat consumption.” [Chris Wright, "Two Things Changed Everything: Human Liberty and Energy from Hydrocarbons," 11/15/22 via archive.org]
¶ Wright Credited Coal With England’s Progress In Human And Social Rights
Wright: “The Great English Progress In Human, Political And Social Rights” Were Thanks To Coal. In his speech, “Two Things Changed Everything: Human Liberty and Energy from Hydrocarbons” Wright said, “A few decades later during Shakespeare’s time, England was leaping ahead of Holland as English coal was more abundant, transportable, and higher energy density than Dutch peat. Coal already provided 50% of total English energy consumption in the late 1600’s. The great English progress in human, political and social rights appear to have been catalyzed by the tremendous wealth and opportunities enabled by the rapid growth in coal consumption. Poor, stagnant societies do not drive progress. Energized, free societies do.” [Chris Wright, "Two Things Changed Everything: Human Liberty and Energy from Hydrocarbons," 11/15/22 via archive.org]
¶ Wright Claimed Energy Fueled By Hydrocarbons Made People Larger
Wright: Energy From Hydrocarbons Made People Larger. In his speech, “Two Things Changed Everything: Human Liberty and Energy from Hydrocarbons” Wright said, “History shows that for nearly everyone, every year, every season, every day was an uncertain struggle to survive. Humans were far smaller just a few generations ago, not because their genetics were any different, but because they simply lived in a constant state of malnutrition kicking starvation down the road one day at a time. Then TWO things changed everything: human liberty and energy from hydrocarbons. Liberty and Energy — hey, that could be a good name for a company some day!” [Chris Wright, "Two Things Changed Everything: Human Liberty and Energy from Hydrocarbons," 11/15/22 via archive.org]
¶ November 2024-January 2025: The Western Energy Alliance Deleted The Speech Wright Gave In 2022 From Their Website, Around The Time Of His Nomination
*American Bridge viewed the speech on WEA’s website on December 3, 2024*
November 2022: Wright Gave A Speech To the Western Energy Alliance To Accept Their Wildcatter Of The Year Award. [Chris Wright, "Two Things Changed Everything: Human Liberty and Energy from Hydrocarbons," 11/15/22 via archive.org]
January 2025: The Speech Text Is No Longer Available On The Western Energy Alliance’s Website. [Christ Wright, "Two Things Changed Everything: Human Liberty and Energy from Hydrocarbons," 11/15/22]
Archived Versions Of The Western Energy Alliance Website Show The Speech Was Available On Their Site Until At Least November 7, 2024. [Archive.org URL Search, accessed 1/13/25]
November 16, 2024: Wright Was Nominated As Energy Secretary. [CNN, 11/16/24]
¶ Views On Climate Change
¶ Wright Claimed The Threat From Climate Change Was Exaggerated And Often False
Wright Claimed Climate Change Activists Were Exaggerating The Threat It Posed. In a letter in Liberty Energy’s annual report, Chris Wright said, “The result has been the rise of a destructive misunderstanding. It goes something like this: “Climate change is the most menacing threat to humanity, and we can reverse this ever-growing crisis by rapidly transitioning our global energy system to cheaper, cleaner, greener energy sources if only nudged by bold government policy incentives.” None of this is accurate. It is based on a combination of climate change exaggerations, a strict focus on CO2 mitigation instead of climate adaptation, and a failure to appreciate the scale and complexity of the global energy system.” [Bettering Human Lives, Liberty Energy, 2024]
Wright Claimed Climate Change Was Not The Most Urgent Threat To Humanity. In a letter in Liberty Energy’s annual report, Chris Wright said, “Climate change is a real and global challenge that we should and can address. However, representing it as the most urgent threat to humanity today displaces concerns about more pressing threats of malnutrition, access to clean water, air pollution, endemic diseases, and human rights, among others. This report aims to put climate change in perspective relative to these other threats.” [Bettering Human Lives, Liberty Energy, 2024]
Wall Street Journal: Wright “Believes That The Dialogue Around Climate Has Become Alarmist, That The Need To Quickly Pivot Away From Fossil Fuels Is Overstated.” According to the Wall Street Journal, “Mr. Wright said he doesn’t dispute the existence of climate change. Rather, he said, he believes that the dialogue around climate has become alarmist, that the need to quickly pivot away from fossil fuels is overstated and that public policies favoring renewables result in higher energy prices. A United Nations report last year found that countries must make major, rapid shifts away from fossil fuels and to renewable energy to meet the goals set in the 2015 Paris climate agreement. At the same time, the use of fossil fuels is projected to increase in the short term because renewables and other alternatives lack the capacity to meet global energy demand.” [Wall Street Journal, 2/04/23]
Wright: “Climate Alarmism Is Not Based On Facts”
[Chris Wright, X.com, 8/03/23]
Wright: “Climate Change Discourse Is Unfortunately Rife With False Claims And Alarmist Proclamations.” In a letter in Liberty Energy’s annual report, Chris Wright said, “Climate change discourse is unfortunately rife with false claims and alarmist proclamations from all quarters. We seek to address that in this report by giving a brief technical summary of the physical phenomenon and an overview of the empirical data on temperature, sea level, extreme weather, and wildfires. Following the technical sections is a review of climate economics work and the policy implications. A realistic understanding of climate change is important for evaluating tradeoffs around the energy / climate / poverty nexus.” [Bettering Human Lives, Liberty Energy, 2024]
Wright Called The Climate Crisis A “False And Destructive Meme About Energy And Climate.” According to the Wall Street Journal, “Mr. Wright appealed LinkedIn’s decision, and the platform replied that the video violated its policy on spam and scams. The next day, LinkedIn informed Mr. Wright that it had concluded that his post didn’t actually go against its policies, and that it had restored the video. Mr. Wright recounted the episode to investors in Liberty Energy’s Jan. 26 earnings call, saying that he found it ‘alarming that a Microsoft-owned business is actively working to protect a false and destructive meme about energy and climate.’” [Wall Street Journal, 2/04/23]
¶ Denied That Climate Change Played A Role In Extreme Weather And Disasters
Wright Claimed Climate Change Does Not Increase Deadly Extreme Weather, And That The IPCC Agreed. In a letter in Liberty Energy’s annual report, Chris Wright said, “Another thing that we often hear about climate change is that it leads to a significant increase in extreme weather events with deadly consequences. This claim is false. Extensive reports from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) actually show no increase in the frequency or intensity of hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, or weather-related droughts. Further, deaths from extreme weather have declined significantly for a century as wealthier, more energized societies are much more resilient to extreme weather.” [Bettering Human Lives, Liberty Energy, 2024]
- The IPCC Data Does Not Support This. According to the Wall Street Journal, “In the video, Mr. Wright said that the globe has been slowly warming and sea levels gradually rising due to higher concentrations of CO2 in the atmosphere. Extreme weather events such as hurricanes, tornadoes, droughts or floods aren’t getting more frequent or intense, he said. He cited as evidence reports by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, a United Nations group whose assessments inform global policies to curb greenhouse gas emissions. But climate scientists said Mr. Wright’s views contradict the IPCC’s findings. The group has stated that temperatures and sea levels rose at a rapid clip in recent decades, not slowly or gradually. It has also said that climate change has made at least some weather events—such as heavy precipitation, droughts and heat waves—both more severe and more frequent.” [Wall Street Journal, 2/04/23]
Wright: “The Hype Over Wildfires Is Just Hype To Justify More Impoverishment From Bad Government Policies.”
[Chris Wright, x.com, 8/01/23]
[VIDEO] Wright: “We Have Seen No Increase In The Frequency Or Intensity Of Hurricanes, Tornadoes, Droughts Or Floods Despite Endless Fearmongering.” In a video posted on LinkedIn, Wright said, “What about extreme weather, you ask? We have seen no increase in the frequency or intensity of hurricanes, tornadoes, droughts or floods despite endless fearmongering of the media, politicians and activists.” [Chris Wright, Linkedin, 2023]
¶ Posted A Video Denying A Climate Crisis That Was Labeled Misinformation
[VIDEO] Wright: “There Is No Climate Crisis.” In a video posted on LinkedIn, Wright said, “There is no climate crisis and we’re not in the midst of an energy transition either. Humans and all complex life on earth is simply impossible without carbon dioxide. Hence the term carbon pollution is outrageous.” [Chris Wright, Linkedin, 2023]
¶ Wright Denied Carbon Pollution Existed
[VIDEO] Wright: “The Term Carbon Pollution Is Outrageous.” In a video posted on LinkedIn, Wright said, There is no climate crisis and we’re not in the midst of an energy transition either. Humans and all complex life on earth is simply impossible without carbon dioxide. Hence the term carbon pollution is outrageous.” [Chris Wright, Linkedin, 2023]
¶ Wright Claimed That Saying The Phrase “Climate Crisis” Ruined Children’s Ability To Succeed In Life
[VIDEO] Wright: Using Terms Like Climate Crisis Makes Children So Anxious They Can’t Succeed In Life. In a video posted on LinkedIn, Wright said, “These five terms: Climate Crisis, Energy Transition, Carbon Pollution, Clean Energy, and Dirty Energy are not only deceptive, they are in fact destructive deceptions. Destructive because they drive centrist politicians and regulators to oppose life critical infrastructure like building pipelines and natural gas export terminals. They cause huge anxiety in kids, squelching the optimism that is so critical to life success.” [Chris Wright, Linkedin, 2023]
¶ Wright Claimed That Increased Energy Consumption Benefits Outweighed Any Harm Because Global Life Expectancy Rose
[VIDEO] Wright Claimed That Because Life Expectancy Has Increased, “Any Negative Impacts From Climate Change Are Clearly Overwhelmed By The Benefits Of Increasing Energy Consumption.” In a video posted on LinkedIn, Wright said, “Since the end of World War Two, global human life expectancy, wealth, health and opportunity have surged like never before. Hence, any negative impacts from climate change are clearly overwhelmed by the benefits of increasing energy consumption.” [Chris Wright, Linkedin, 2023]
¶ Wright Seems To Think Africa Is One Country
[VIDEO] Wright Suggested The Continent Of Africa Is One Country. In a video posted on LinkedIn, Wright said, “Carbon dioxide is not a pollutant, it is a greenhouse gas. Confusing these two is frightening kids and deflecting much needed attention from the huge pollution problems that still kill millions of people every year, mostly in lower income countries from China, to India, to Africa.
¶ Wright’s Video Was Removed For Misinformation
LinkedIn Removed Wright’s Video For Misinformation. According to the Wall Street Journal, “In a video uploaded to LinkedIn last month, Liberty Energy Inc. Chief Executive Chris Wright was characteristically blunt: “There is no climate crisis, and we’re not in the midst of an energy transition either,” he said. The provocative 12-minute video, which challenges established science and the publicly stated views of other energy-industry executives, marked his latest combative defense of fossil fuels. Those views have made him a darling of industry panels and of the conservative speaking circuit. Taking to LinkedIn, he said, was a way for him to broaden his audience. Then LinkedIn took the post down. The social-networking site for professionals, which is owned by Microsoft Corp., said the post went against the platform’s policy on misinformation, according to emails Mr. Wright shared with The Wall Street Journal.” [Wall Street Journal, 2/04/23]
¶ Alternative Energy
[VIDEO] Wright Claimed That The Push For Alternative Energy Was Good For Business Because It Drove Up Oil And Gas Prices. In an interview for PragerU, Wright said, “And today, the opposition to fossil fuels, that I do push back against, but the opposition to fossil fuels, is actually tremendous for my business and for the business of all of my customers. Because think about that, it just doesn’t do anything to change the demand for oil and natural gas, but if you incrementally restrict the supply of those things, you just drive up the prices.” [PragerU, 4/19/23]
¶ Wright Downplayed Alternative Energy Sources, Said They Will Not Replace Hydrocarbons
Wright Said Solar Power, Wind Energy, And Batteries Have Not, Will Not, And Cannot Replace Most Of The Energy Services And Raw Materials Provided By Hydrocarbons.” In a letter in Liberty Energy’s annual report, Chris Wright said, “The second half of the destructive misunderstanding involves our energy system. Politicians, policymakers, pundits, and the press talk endlessly about how solar, wind, and batteries can transform our whole energy system and address the climate crisis. The reality is that these politically favored technologies have not, will not, and cannot replace most of the energy services and raw materials provided by hydrocarbons.” [Bettering Human Lives, Liberty Energy, 2024]
Wright: “There Is No Such Thing As ‘Clean’ Or ‘Dirty’ Energy.” In a letter in Liberty Energy’s annual report, Chris Wright said, “Hydrocarbons also have downsides such as air pollution, climate change, and the geopolitical impacts of uneven resource distribution. Everything involves tradeoffs. There is no such thing as ‘clean’ or ‘dirty’ energy. All energy sources have positive and negative impacts on humans and their environment. Evaluating the tradeoffs in energy systems requires thoughtful analysis in the context of local conditions, values, and needs.” [Bettering Human Lives, Liberty Energy, 2024]
¶ Sued The SEC Over Climate Disclosure Rules
Wright Sued The SEC Over Its Climate-Related Disclosure Rules. According to an op-ed by Wright in the National Review, “Unsurprisingly, the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) recent decision to finalize its onerous and unprecedented climate rule is attracting significant legal pushback as state attorneys general, industry groups, and my own company (among others) challenge the Commission’s authority to implement the rule. While the litigation will raise important technical and legal issues with the rule, the biggest threat it poses is to the betterment of human lives.” [National Review, Op-ed – Chris Wright, 4/18/24]
Wright Argued The SEC’s Rule Would Make It More Expensive And Riskier To Produce Oil And Natural Gas In The U.S. According to an op-ed by Wright in the National Review, “While testifying before the U.S. House of Representatives’ Financial Services Committee last week, I emphasized that the SEC’s rule will make it more expensive and riskier to produce oil and natural gas in the U.S., and consequently will lower energy production. And for what? The jury is still out on whether the rule — which hinges on greenhouse gas ‘guesstimates’ pertaining to emissions amounts — will actually offer more clarity to investors, as required by the SEC’s mandate.” [National Review, Op-ed – Wright, 4/18/24]
Wright Claimed Government Regulation Hurt Businesses. According to Politico, “Liberty is aligned with others fighting the SEC in arguing that the agency’s final rule is an example of regulatory overreach that will harm businesses. ‘They’re just way out of their lane,’ Wright said. ‘Unfortunately, bigger government, more overbearing government, does hurt small upstarts and dynamism in our marketplace. And I’m very opposed to that.’” [Politico, 4/02/24]
Wright Said His Goal Suing The SEC Was To Fight Against A “Ridiculously Naïve” Climate And Energy Agenda. In an op-ed, Holman W. Jenkins, Jr. said, “In search of relief, meet Chris Wright, CEO of the fracking services provider Liberty Energy, testifying Wednesday before the House Financial Services Committee. He’s suing over an impertinent SEC rule on corporate climate disclosure, but his real goal, he tells me, is to seek progress against a ‘ridiculously naïve’ climate and energy debate, dominated by the cant phrases that prevail in the media.” [Op-ed, Holman W. Jenkins, Jr., 4/09/24]
¶ Settled A Racial Discrimination Lawsuit
Liberty Energy Was Sued For Racial Discrimination After Three Employees Were Harassed And Called Slurs On The Job. According to a press release from the EEOC, “Liberty Energy, Inc. doing business as Liberty Oilfield Services, LLC, will pay $265,000 to settle a race and national origin discrimination lawsuit brought on behalf of three mechanics by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the federal agency announced today. According to the lawsuit, a Black field mechanic and two Hispanic co-workers at Liberty Energy’s Odessa, Texas location were subjected to a hostile environment and referred to in derogatory terms, including use of the N-word and other slurs such as ‘beaner’ and ‘wetback.’” [EEOC, press release, 4/30/24]
Liberty Energy Forced A Black Employee To Do Undesirable Work After He Filed A Complaint About Harassment. According to a press release from the EEOC, “The employees alleged that they made reports to supervisors, management, and human resources about the discriminatory treatment, but no effective corrective or remedial action was taken by the company. The EEOC’s suit charged that after making his report, the Black mechanic was forced by management to perform undesirable work tasks and was isolated by his peers. With no meaningful action by company management to change the workplace atmosphere and the discriminatory assignments that followed his complaint, he was ultimately left no alternative but to resign.” [EEOC, press release, 4/30/24]
Liberty Energy Settled The Suit. According to a press release from the EEOC, “Liberty Energy, Inc. doing business as Liberty Oilfield Services, LLC, will pay $265,000 to settle a race and national origin discrimination lawsuit brought on behalf of three mechanics by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the federal agency announced today.” [EEOC, press release, 4/30/24]
¶ Sued The Department Of Labor Over ESG Rule
Liberty Energy Joined A Lawsuit Against The Department Of Labor Over Rules Allowing Retirement Plans To Consider ESG When Making Investments. According to ESG Dive, “The Department of Labor responded last week to an appeal from 26 Republican attorneys general, after their lawsuit challenging a rule allowing employee retirement plans to consider ESG factors when making investments was dismissed in September. Liberty Energy, which also has an ongoing petition to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s climate disclosure rule, joined the Republican-led states in the appeal, filed to the U.S. Fifth Circuit of Appeals Jan. 18. Liberty Oilfield Services — a subsidiary of the Colorado-based onshore oil and natural gas services provider — and energy trade association Western Energy Alliance also joined the appeal to the lower court’s dismissal arguing the rule is unlawful” [ESG Dive, 3/26/24]