Jan 15, 2025
Click for more from The Hill{beacon} Energy & Environment Energy & Environment   The Big Story  Trump energy pick Wright grilled on climate history Fracking CEO Chris Wright is on track to be the nation’s next energy secretary despite a few tense moments during his confirmation hearing. © AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr. The tension largely centered around climate change. Wright acknowledges that the planet is warming, but has downplayed the phenomenon’s connection to extreme weather.   Nevertheless, even some Democrats expressed support for his nomination, including Sen. John Hickenlooper (Colo.), who introduced Wright at the start of the hearing.   “He’s a scientist who has invested his life around energy. He is indeed an unrestrained enthusiast for fossil fuels in almost every regard, but he studied nuclear,” Hickenlooper said. “His first years of working were in solar. He has experience in wind. He is a practitioner and a key innovator around geothermal.”  “I have high optimism we can work together,” Hickenlooper added.   Wright is the CEO of Liberty Energy, a Denver-based fracking technology company. He’s poised to run the Energy Department, which oversees energy research and loans, as well as the nation’s nuclear weapons arsenal.   Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) posed tough questions to Wright over some of his past comments, particularly a Linkedin post in which Wright wrote: “The hype over wildfires is just hype to justify more impoverishment from bad government policies.”  Padilla asked: “Given the devastation that we’re currently experiencing in Los Angeles, do you still believe that wildfires are just hype?”  “I stand by my past comment,” Wright said in response but also said that “climate change is a real and global phenomenon.” “Tell that to the families of the more than two dozen lost in these fires,” Padilla retorted.  Read more at TheHill.com.  Welcome to The Hill’s Energy & Environment newsletter, we’re Rachel Frazin and Zack Budryk — keeping you up to speed on the policies impacting everything from oil and gas to new supply chains.   Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here.   Essential Reads  How policy will affect the energy and environment sectors now and in the future:  House Republicans eye reconciliation bill for oil and gas leasing mandates, approving mining projects House Republicans are eying a process called reconciliation to boost oil and gas drilling, and approve specific mining projects, which would only require a simple majority for passage.  Full Story   LA fires’ heat, intensity driven by planet-warming pollution: Study Human-caused climate change was responsible for about a quarter of the fuel available for the wildfires that have devastated the Los Angeles area, according to research from University of California, Los Angeles scientists published Monday.  Full Story  Ron Johnson joins GOP lawmakers calling for conditions on CA wildfire aidSen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) has joined some of his fellow GOP lawmakers in calling for conditions on California wildfire aid.  Full Story  Senate Banking Republicans eye changes to key insurance program after fires Republicans on the Senate Banking Committee are in the early stages of crafting legislation that could include changes to the National Flood Insurance Program and help victims of other natural disasters.  Full Story   In Other News  Branch out with a different read from The Hill: Palisades Fire firefighters taking part in first-of-its-kind cancer study (KTXL) — The Wildfire Conservancy is conducting a first-of-a-kind cancer study on firefighters battling the Palisades Fire. The goal is to track how the extreme conditions increase firefighters’ risk of cancer. Full Story   What We're Reading  News we've flagged from other outlets touching on energy issues, the environment and other topics: 2024 hottest year on record for U.S. Lower 48 states (Axios)  California abandons diesel truck ban and 3 other clean-air rules before Trump is sworn in (CalMatters) New York City lawsuit against Exxon, BP, Shell over climate change dismissed (Reuters)  On Tap  Upcoming news themes and events we're watching: Lee Zeldin, Trump’s pick to lead the Environmental Protection Agency, will have a confirmation hearing Thursday before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. Doug Burgum, Trump’s pick to lead the Interior Department, will have a confirmation hearing before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.   What Others are Reading  Two key stories on The Hill right now: Speaker Johnson removes Mike Turner as Intelligence Committee chair Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) will not make Rep. Mike Turner (R-Ohio) chair of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence in the 119th Congress, a source familiar with the decision confirmed to The Hill. Read more Which foods contain Red 3, the dye now banned by the FDA? A colorful ingredient you may find in your pantry or medicine cabinet is now banned by the Food and Drug Administration. Read more  Opinions in The Hill  Op-ed related to energy & environment submitted to The Hill: As America throws stones at LA’s rubble, Angelenos embrace connection  You're all caught up. See you tomorrow!  Check out The Hill's Energy & Environment page for the latest coverage.Like this newsletter? Take a moment to view our other topical products here 📩 Close Thank you for signing up! Subscribe to more newsletters here The latest in politics and policy. Direct to your inbox. Sign up for the Energy and Environment newsletter Subscribe ...read more read less
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