Trump’s proposed energy bill is hounded by climate protesters, scorned by Dems

Lawmakers questioned President-elect Trump’s energy secretary about climate change, the Los Angeles fires, and the Biden administration’s green energy agenda during his nomination hearing, which saw disruption from many climate protesters.

The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee held a hearing on Chris Wright, the chief executive of Liberty Energy Inc. and Trump’s decision to head the Department of Energy, on Wednesday, which was his birthday.

Trump’s nominee was introduced by a member of parliament of the Democratic Alliance, Sen. John Hickenlooper of Colorado, who described him as having “an unbridled enthusiasm for fossil fuels.” Wright focused his responses on energy governance, saying climate change is “a real issue,” global energy demand, and his focus on renewable energy growth.

“America has a historic opportunity to protect our energy systems, provide leadership in scientific and technological innovation, manage our weapons and meet Cold War nonproliferation obligations,” Wright said in his opening statement.

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Wright said he has identified three “immediate tasks” on which he will focus his attention, if elected: taking out American power, leading the world in technological development and expanding American manufacturing.

“President Trump shares my passion for energy, and if confirmed, I will work tirelessly to boldly implement his agenda as the unabashed steward of all of America’s affordable, reliable and secure energy sources,” Wright told the committee.

Republicans, like Sen. Steve Daines of Montana, raised their questions about the Biden administration’s policies, such as the ban on liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports, domestic property regulations, and the latest offshore drilling ban.

Many Democratic Senators said that the chairman of the committee, Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, scheduled a confirmation hearing before all the necessary documents about Wright were given to committee members. Some Democrats used their time at the microphone to say that the Los Angeles fires were caused by “climate change.”

President-elect Donald Trump during a campaign rally at PPG Paints Arena on November 04, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Chip Somodevilla)

“Despite the misinformation spread here in the Capitol, California, and everywhere in between, it is clear that these fires are reaching the size and scale they are because of improperly dried vegetation and high winds, both of which are a direct result. the result of climate change,” said Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., during the hearing.

Asked about the issue of climate change, Wright said he believed it was “a real issue”.

“I’ve studied and followed the data and evolution of climate change for at least 20 years now. It’s a global issue. It’s a real issue. It’s a challenging issue,” Wright said, adding that he believes the solution to climate change is “transforming our energy system.”

Fox News Digital captured footage of several climate change protesters who disrupted Wright’s hearing on Wednesday.

A protester holds up a banner reading “Big Oil Profits LA Burns” as Energy Secretary-designate Chris Wright testifies during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Energy and Environment Committee on Wednesday, January 15, 2025. (Bill Clark)

One protester stood up during Wright’s questioning and asked if his policies would “put out the fire in LA.”

“Are you going to ask any questions or softball about the weather this whole time,” said one protester who was ushered out of the hearing room.

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Several other climate protesters also stood outside the hearing room, holding shirts that read, “I will not let my future burn.”