President-elect Donald Trump has chosen Chris Wright, an executive of the oil and gas industry, as his pick to head the United States Department of Energy (DOE).
Wright — chief executive of hydraulic fracturing company Liberty Energy — has been described as a “staunch defender of fossil fuel use” who claims “there is no climate crisis,” reported Reuters.
Wright is expected to back Trump’s agenda of maximizing oil and gas production while boosting electricity generation.
“There is no climate crisis, and we’re not in the midst of an energy transition, either,” said Wright last year in a video post on his LinkedIn profile.
Wright, who has no political experience, has compared efforts to curb global heating by Democrats to communism in the former Soviet Union.
The fracking CEO has also referred to net zero as a “sinister goal,” The Telegraph reported.
In an unconventional move, Wright consumed fracking fluid on camera in 2019 to show that it wasn’t dangerous.
A self-described “tech nerd,” Wright has written about the necessity of producing more fossil fuels to help people get out of poverty, reported Reuters.
“The world runs on oil and gas, and we need that,” Wright told CNBC in an interview last year, saying the proposal to transition away from fossil fuels in a single decade was an “absurd time frame,” as CNN reported.
“Standing in the way of today’s energy system before we’ve built a new energy system, there’s just no upside in that,” Wright said. “I don’t think you’ll see meaningful change in our hydrocarbon system in the next three decades.”
The International Energy Agency warned in 2021 that the world should not approve any new fossil fuel developments if it wants to avoid the most disastrous impacts of climate change.
The DOE administers the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, handles energy diplomacy and runs loan and grant programs for the advancement of energy technologies.
The energy secretary also oversees the country’s nuclear weapons complex, as well as 17 national labs.
If the Senate confirms Wright as the next U.S. Secretary of Energy, he will take over the position currently held by Jennifer Granholm, who supports solar, wind and nuclear energy; geothermal power; and electric vehicles (EVs).
Oil production in the U.S. reached the highest level ever produced by any country under the Biden administration. It is unclear how much the Trump administration, including Wright, would be able to enhance that.
U.S. electricity demand is experiencing its first surge in two decades as EVs, artificial intelligence and cryptocurrencies continue to grow.
Earlier this year in a keynote speech, Wright addressed oil and gas industry members, saying, “there’s no such thing as renewable energy,” reported The Telegraph.
“Net zero 2050: zero chance of this happening, but it’s actually a sinister goal because we spend an insane amount of money pretending we’re going to actually achieve this,” Wright said.
This article originally appeared on Ecowatch.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org
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7 Holiday Road Trip Safety Tips for Women Over 50 (& Just About Anyone Else, Too)
As a digital nomad who has been taking more road trips over the past few years than I probably ever have in my life, I made the mistake of thinking that just because I have a decent, well running car, a cell phone, and roadside assistance options, I am good to go.
I have a lot of work to do to become better prepared, but I thought it would be helpful to share what I’ve learned along the way.
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“There were a few times when I traveled 45 minutes or more to a destination and did not have any cell service the entire time.”
Last summer, I rented a small farmhouse in the Catskills for an extended work retreat. I loved the surroundings, the nearby small towns, the farmers’ markets, and the access to lower priced and delicious food. What I didn’t love was the lack of cell signals in many areas. There were a few times when I traveled 45 minutes or more to a destination and did not have any cell service the entire time. It made for a stressful drive, and I started to limit my adventures out of fear that I would be stranded on a remote country road somewhere.
Last month I was making what should have been a simple five hour drive to visit my parents in Myrtle Beach. I experienced an unexpected flat tire. For many complicated reasons, I ended up stranded in a small hotel for a weekend while I waited to get my tire replaced. I was very fortunate that my car gave me a “warning” about the tire, and I was able to drive to a gas station, which also happened to be next to a hotel. But there were precautions I could have taken that would have helped my situation. This unpleasant situation inspired me to share with our Kuel Life Community these women solo road trip safety tips.
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Here is some of what I already knew, have since learned, and / or am in process of implementing in order to continue this free flow life of a nomad:
1. Be Road Trip Ready
Get your car serviced before you leave. Check tire pressure, fluids, and lights. Have a roadside assistance service (or two!). I had two, and one was more helpful than the other. Make sure you have a functional spare. (I did not have a spare, and didn’t even know that I did not have a spare). I learned the hard way that a “standard” tire center would not replace a tire for my Mercedes as it has some complicated functions (something called “never flat” tires?)
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I typically travel with clothing to keep warm in case of breakdown and usually have snacks and water. According to the AAA website, here is a very comprehensive list of additional items to keep in your emergency kit:
- Cell phone and car charger
- First-aid kit
- Blanket
- Drinking water/snacks for everyone in the car including pets
- Flashlight with extra fresh batteries
- Rags, paper towels or pre-moistened wipes
- Basic set of tools, along with duct tape, and car emergency warning devices such as road flares or reflectors
- Ice scraper/snow brush
- Jumper cables/jump pack
- Traction aid such as sand, salt or non-clumping cat litter
- Tarp, raincoat and gloves
- Shovel
To be honest, I’m not sure what I would do with the tools or the shovel as I likely would just be dependent on getting help. But it may be time to become more handy in this regard!
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Download offline maps on your phone’s navigation app in case you lose signal. I never thought of doing this before, but it makes perfect sense. I always travel with portable chargers and a power bank. My brother has a solar powered battery charger which also seems like a great safety option.
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As I research options to be proactive for driving through areas without cell service, I’ve read that you can do research ahead of time to find out where the dead zones may be. You can try the FCC National Broadband Map or the Cellmapper app. While I have read that 911 will sometimes work even if you do not have cell service, I have decided it is time for me to invest in either a satellite phone or a satellite messenger.
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Whenever possible, I drive during daylight hours. This allows for better visibility and makes finding assistance easier if needed.
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“Park close to entrances and avoid isolated spots.”
Choose well-lit, populated areas for gas stations and rest stops. Park close to entrances and avoid isolated spots.
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Always lock your car doors while driving, even at stoplights. Keep valuables out of sight and avoid leaving belongings unattended in the car. I do my best to keep my back seat clear, but that is not always possible. If I have to leave something visible, no matter how low cost or disposable the item is, I cover it up with an old sheet or tarp. Not high tech and not foolproof of course, but anything to minimize the visual temptation for a breakin.
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If a situation feels unsafe, trust your instincts. Don’t be afraid to detour or politely decline help if something feels off.
There are a lot of beautiful cities, states, small towns, and countryside to explore! By proactively prepping your women solo road trip safety tips and exercising reasonable caution, you are clearing the way for a joyful experience!
This article originally appeared on Kuellife.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org
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Featured Image Credit: Achim Schneider / reisezielinfo.de/istockphoto.
