Since his confirmation as U.S. Energy Secretary in February 2025, Chris Wright has been a lightning rod for debate. Known for his roots in the fossil fuel industry as the former CEO of Liberty Energy, Wright is often painted as a one-dimensional advocate for oil and gas. But that’s a caricature, not the full picture. Wright’s vision for American energy is far more expansive… and yes, it includes solar, wind, and other renewables, despite what his critics might assume.
In this recent video, Wright tackled the misconception head-on: “I’m not anti-solar. I’ve worked in solar energy myself, and we’re seeing a lot of growth there. I expect that to continue.” This isn’t just lip service. Wright’s career spans not only oil and gas but also nuclear, geothermal, and solar technologies. His track record shows a pragmatic embrace of diverse energy sources, guided by a core belief: energy should be affordable, reliable, and secure for all Americans.
During his Senate confirmation hearing in January 2025, Wright doubled down on this “all-of-the-above” approach. He pledged to “unleash” domestic energy production, spotlighting liquified natural gas and nuclear power, but he didn’t stop there. He expressed enthusiasm for solar’s rapid growth, praised geothermal’s untapped potential, and underscored nuclear’s role in meeting future demand. Far from dismissing renewables, he sees them as part of the mix (provided they meet the practical needs of consumers).
Wright’s critics often point to his skepticism of climate policies he calls “quasi-religious” or his view that wind and solar alone can’t replace natural gas anytime soon. Fair enough… he’s a realist about the limits of intermittent energy sources. But that doesn’t make him an enemy of solar. In fact, at the CERAWeek conference earlier this month (March 2025), he nodded to solar’s expanding role and the promise of battery storage, even as he championed natural gas as a backbone for reliability.
What sets Wright apart is his rejection of energy tribalism. “There isn’t dirty energy or clean energy,” he’s said… just energy that works or doesn’t. For him, solar isn’t the villain; it’s a tool, one he’s wielded himself and wants to see thrive alongside fossil fuels, nuclear, and beyond. As he put it in that recent video, “I’m all in on energy—whatever gets the job done.”
So, next time you hear Wright’s name tied to “Big Oil,” remember: he’s not here to bury solar or renewables. He’s here to build an energy future that doesn’t pick winners based on ideology but on what powers America best. Watch the video yourself—he’s not anti-solar, just pro-reality.
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