New DOE Secretary Promises Energy Dominance

After a rigorous confirmation process, Chris Wright has officially been sworn in as the new Secretary of Energy, ushering in a new era of energy policy under the Trump administration. Respected as a seasoned industry executive with a background in hydraulic fracturing and energy infrastructure, Wright is expected to bring a pro-development philosophy to the Department of Energy (DOE).  

Wright’s confirmation process was marked by partisan debates over regulatory reform and the role of fossil fuels in America’s energy mix. During the hearings, he said his primary focus would be on energy security, affordability, and innovation, stating, "We need more energy, not less."  

Upon assuming office, Secretary Wright wasted no time in outlining his vision for the Department. He issued his first Secretarial Order titled Unleashing the Golden Era of American Energy Dominance on February 5th. The directive lays out nine key priorities aimed at accelerating domestic energy production, modernizing the electrical grid, and streamlining regulatory processes. 

Wright’s Secretarial Order marks a clear pivot away from net-zero carbon policies. Instead, it lays out an "energy addition" approach that prioritizes fossil fuel production and nuclear energy investments. The order includes calls for the resumption of liquefied natural gas (LNG) export approvals, expanding baseload and dispatchable power generation, and the rapid deployment and export of next-generation nuclear technology.  

The DOE’s policy shift toward expanding energy production, particularly in the oil and gas sectors, and away from achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions, which Wright has criticized for increasing energy costs and potentially undermining national security, is consistent with recent Executive Orders.  

From nuclear energy expansion to infrastructure permitting reform, the Wright-led DOE is eyeing major energy sector changes. Future R&D priorities will include: fossil fuels, advanced nuclear, fusion, geothermal, hydropower, advanced computing, grid technologies, critical materials, biofuels, quantum, and AI. As DOE objectives under Secretary Wright take shape, ASME professionals in power generation, energy research, and infrastructure development can expect to find themselves at the center of a rapidly evolving landscape.