Wright, the CEO of Denver-based Liberty Energy, is a strong supporter of fracking and other oil and gas development, which is a crucial component of Trump’s strategy to establish American “energy dominance” in the world market.

Wright has been among the industry’s most vocal opponents of climate change initiatives, and he could support fossil fuels by acting quickly to lift the Biden administration’s one-year hold on natural gas export permits.

Wright has frequently criticised liberal and left-wing organisations for what he describes as a “top-down” approach to climate change, claiming that the global climate movement is “collapsing under its own weight.” Although he has never held public office, he has stated that in order to help people escape poverty, more fossil fuels must be produced globally.

Prominent conservatives, including as oil and gas magnate Harold Hamm, supported Wright’s consideration to lead the administration’s energy department.

Hamm is a long-time Trump supporter and advisor who was instrumental in addressing energy concerns during Trump’s first term. He is the executive chairman of Continental Resources, a significant shale oil business located in Oklahoma. In April, Hamm assisted in planning a gathering at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate where Trump allegedly requested a $1 billion donation to his campaign from lobbyists and business executives in exchange for a reduction in environmental rules should he be reelected.

Mike Sommers, president of the American Petroleum Institute, the oil and gas industry’s top lobbying group, said Wright’s experience in the energy sector “gives him an important perspective that will inform his leadership” of the Energy Department.

“We look forward to working with him once confirmed to bolster American geopolitical strength by lifting DOE’s pause on LNG export permits and ensuring the open access of American energy for our allies around the world,” Sommers said.

According to Jackie Wong, senior vice president for climate and energy at the environmental group Natural Resources Defence Council, Wright is “a champion of dirty fossil fuels,” and his appointment to head the Energy Department was “a disastrous mistake.”

Instead of attempting to promote the polluting fuels of the previous century, Wong stated that the Energy Department should be making every effort to create and grow the energy sources of the twenty-first century. It is more crucial than ever for DOE to continue its fundamental purpose of studying and supporting cleaner energy options, especially in light of the terrible effects of climate-fueled disasters.

The U.S. energy, environmental, and nuclear security are the responsibilities of the Energy Department. In addition to managing 17 national research facilities, approving natural gas exports, and maintaining the nation’s nuclear weapons, the agency is also responsible for environmental cleanup of the nuclear weapons complex. It also encourages research in science and technology.

Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming, a Republican and the likely head of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, said that Wright’s nomination fulfils Trump’s pledge to appoint his Cabinet with audacious selections.

The fracking boom in America was made possible by this energy pioneer. “After four years of America’s last energy policy, our nation is in dire need of a secretary who recognises the importance of American energy to our national security and economy,” Barrasso stated.

In a second Trump administration, if approved, Wright will go hand in hand with Doug Burgum, the governor of North Dakota, who Trump has selected to be his interior secretary. Under Burgum’s leadership, Wright will serve on a new National Energy Council. The goal of the new group, according to Trump, would be to promote American “energy dominance” globally.

Fossil fuel-supporting conservative organisation the American Energy Alliance’s president, Thomas Pyle, stated that Wright would be “an excellent choice” for energy secretary. Pyle oversaw the 2016 transition team for Trump’s Energy Department.

Liberty is a significant provider of services to the energy sector that focusses on technology. Born in Colorado, Wright completed his undergraduate studies at MIT and then went on to do graduate work in electrical engineering at MIT and the University of California-Berkeley. His company, Pinnacle Technologies, was established in 1992 and contributed to the commercialisation of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, as a method of producing shale gas.

He then founded Liberty Resources in 2010 after serving as chairman of Stroud Energy, an early shale gas producer.

Wright was chosen only hours after entrepreneur Elon Musk, a significant Trump friend, demanded more direct public participation in the selection process for the Treasury Department, another high-level position the president-elect is still considering.

Trump has already appointed Elon Musk to co-lead a commission tasked with improving government spending efficiency. Musk posts on his own social media platform, X, on Saturday, saying, “Would be interesting to hear more people weigh in on this for @realDonaldTrump to consider feedback.”

Musk used the rest of his post to become the first participant in the public poll he was proposing, endorsing Howard Lutnick, the CEO of financial services firm Cantor Fitzgerald and co-chair of Trump’s transition team over hedge fund manager Scott Bessent.

Musk said in his post that “Bessent is a business-as-usual choice, whereas @howardlutnick will actually enact change.”

“Business-as-usual is driving America bankrupt, so we need change,” he said.

Both Lutnick and Bessent have been mentioned as possible picks to lead the Treasury Department. Bessent is considered the more conventional, business-friendly choice. He is sceptical about cryptocurrency, while Lutnick is friendlier to the crypto industry.

Trump’s pick to lead his Health and Human Services Department, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., also endorsed Lutnick, posting on his own X account, “Bitcoin is the currency of freedom, a hedge against inflation for middle class Americans.”