Heinrich Receives Commitments from DOE Nominee on Visiting New Mexico’s National Labs, Divesting from Business Interests, Supporting Transmission Projects to Strengthen Middle[...]

VIDEO: Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Ranking Member Martin Heinrich questions Secretary of Energy Nominee Chris Wright during confirmation hearing, January 15, 2025.

WASHINGTON - During Chris Wright's confirmation hearing for U.S. Secretary of Energy, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, received a commitment from Mr. Wright to visit New Mexico's National Labs in his first year and divest from his business interests to ensure transparency and accountability. In addition, Heinrich secured Wright's commitment to continue to support transmission projects in New Mexico and across the country, which will build our middle class, lower energy costs, and support high-quality jobs that working people can build their families around.

On Mr. Wright's commitment to visiting New Mexico's National Labs, which employ nearly 30,000 people and spur research, development, and scientific progress, driving global advancements in fields such as nuclear science, cybersecurity, clean energy, and materials science:

Heinrich began his questioning, "Would you commit to visiting Sandia and Los Alamos National Laboratories in your first year as Secretary?"

Wright responded, "Thank you, Senator. I will absolutely commit to visit those two prestigious and hallowed institutions and would love to coordinate with your staff and if at all possible, we could visit together. I am a huge fan of those two institutions and look forward to walking their halls."

Heinrich reiterated the need for Mr. Wright to divest from any financial holdings or other interests that could create a conflict of interest:

Heinrich asked, "I would like you to talk a little bit about your divestment plans. You mentioned a lot of work in the energy space and we had a conversation about the need to maintain not only the avoidance of conflict of interest, but also the avoidance of appearance of conflict of interest. Can you talk about your plans for divestment?

Wright responded, "I agree with all of that, Senator. I have been a lifelong entrepreneur in the energy space. And of course, I have submitted my disclosures for all of my work and the appropriate ethics counselors within the federal government… The appropriate ethics people have reviewed my ethics, my personal holdings, and other interests, and I have agreed to take all the appropriate action to avoid any real conflict or perceived conflict of interest. I am fully aligned with you there, Senator.

On Mr. Wright's response to support and expand transmission projects to meet skyrocketing demand for power, increase reliability, save customers money, and support high-quality jobs for working people:

Heinrich remarked, "I am actually wearing my dad's IBEW 60-year pin today because it reminds me of the importance of that grid. DOE's Grid Deployment Office has supported a lot of really valuable projects through the Transmission Facilitation Program, including the Southline Transmission Project in my home state. These projects will save customers money, and they increase grid reliability. Can you assure me at a time when things like Project 2025 have proposed eliminating the Grid Deployment Office that DOE will continue to use its authorities and resources to support the kind of transmission projects that increase liability and save customers money?

Wright responded, "Senator, thank you for your dad's service in building our grid and maintaining it with a gorgeous track record all those years. And yes, I am aligned with you and will seek to find the best ways to improve our transmission grid, including expansion in new lines."

An image of Heinrich's father's 60-year IBEW pin worn during today's hearing can be found here.

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