New energy secretary denies climate change a 'crisis' during Oak Ridge visit
U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright visited Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) on February 28, 2025, where he denied that climate change posed a "crisis" and downplayed its threat. Wright defended the Trump administration's stance on climate change, energy, and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) during a press conference.
Despite his denial of a climate crisis, Wright assured that research related to climate at ORNL will continue. ORNL is home to the Climate Change Science Institute, which conducts climate modeling, data gathering, and works on solutions.
Emphasis on Artificial Intelligence and Nuclear Energy
During his visit, Wright emphasized the importance of research on artificial intelligence and nuclear energy. He referred to artificial intelligence research as "Manhattan Project II" and highlighted the significance of nuclear energy. Wright was accompanied by Tennessee U.S. Sen. Bill Hagerty, 3rd Congressional District U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, and Open AI CEO Greg Brockman.
Wright reassured that there would be no reduction in the scientific research concerning climate change, citing that scientific reports supported his perspective. He pointed out that there has not been an increase in the frequency or intensity of natural disasters like hurricanes, floods, and storms. Wright attributed the rise in wildfires to forest mismanagement rather than climate change.
Challenging the Perception of Climate Change
Contrary to popular belief, Wright mentioned that economists in an intergovernmental climate change report do not prioritize climate change as the most critical issue. While the frequency of hurricanes hitting the U.S. has not risen significantly, studies have shown an increase in the intensity of tropical cyclones along the East and Gulf Coasts.
Wright did not address the potential impact of climate change on health conditions, apart from extreme weather events. Experts at Vanderbilt University have linked climate change to an increase in auto-inflammatory diseases, skin conditions, and cancer.
Focus on Efficiency and Nuclear Defense
Wright defended the efforts to make the federal government more efficient and stressed the importance of delivering services effectively. He expressed Trump's commitment to nuclear defense while criticizing the Biden administration for higher energy prices.
Both Wright and his predecessor, Jennifer Granholm, have advocated for nuclear power as part of the national energy strategy. During his visit, Wright also inspected the future site of the Tennessee Valley Authority's Small Modular Reactor, a new type of nuclear power plant.
Despite the differing opinions on climate change and energy policies, Wright assured that the research and operations at ORNL and Y-12 National Security Complex would continue without major disruptions.
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