Energy Secretary Chris Wright worked to explain to senators Wednesday why his department is pulling back on renewable energy, as he defended his budget request for next year.
The hearing in the Energy and Natural Resources Committee was the latest in a series of appearances Wright, a former oil executive, has made in Congress to promote the Trump administration’s 2026 budget proposal. The administration is seeking $46.3 billion, a 7 percent cut, for DOE, but a 25 percent cut to non-defense spending, and big decreases for activities related to renewables and some other purposes.
But senators focused their questions and comments to Wright mainly on his overall mission at the department, especially his prioritization of fossil fuels and nuclear power over renewables and batteries. It was Wright’s first appearance before the panel since his January confirmation hearing.
New Mexico Sen. Martin Heinrich, the panel’s top Democrat, pointed to grant and loan cancellations Wright has carried out, such as a recent announcement of $3.7 billion in cancellations from the Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations. Heinrich said the department violated the law.
