Senate Confirms Chris Wright as Energy Secretary

During a recent Senate confirmation hearing, Chris Wright, President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for Secretary of Energy, faced scrutiny from senators over critical nuclear energy issues, including the future of the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository in Nevada. Wright, who is also the CEO of Liberty Energy and involved with the advanced nuclear technology firm Oklo, avoided directly labeling the Yucca project as unworkable, emphasizing the need for local community support for any nuclear waste disposal initiatives. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto expressed disappointment with his evasive responses, highlighting bipartisan opposition to the Yucca project among Nevada's congressional delegation. On a different front, Arizona Senator Ruben Gallego questioned Wright about advancing small modular reactors and energy security in Arizona, to which Wright acknowledged the importance of bipartisan legislation like the ADVANCE Act to streamline nuclear technology deployment. Wright's commitment to local buy-in for nuclear projects and his emphasis on expanding the energy grid were noted, but concerns remain regarding his ability to navigate the complex landscape of nuclear energy policy. Climate protests interrupted the hearing, reflecting heightened public concern over energy and environmental issues.