Padilla Presses Energy Secretary Nominee on Denial of Link Between Worsening Wildfires and Climate Change

WATCH: Padilla presses Wright on past comments calling wildfires "just hype" to promote climate policies

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) questioned U.S. Secretary of Energy nominee Chris Wright in a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing amid the devastating ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles. The wildfires have destroyed more than 40,000 acres of land, burned down over 12,000 structures, and taken more than two dozen lives - the most destructive disasters in Los Angeles history.

Padilla called out Wright, Liberty Energy CEO and a former California resident, for his 2023 LinkedIn post denying the link between climate change and the rise in more frequent and severe fires. Wright wrote that, "The hype over wildfires is just hype to justify more impoverishment from bad government policies." Padilla pressed him whether he still considered wildfires to just be "hype" to promote climate policy after unseasonably dry vegetation and extremely high winds - both a direct result of climate change - exacerbated the Southern California wildfires. Wright stood by his remarks.

Padilla also pushed Wright for reposting a social media post that said, "Now obviously, burning to death in a fire is pretty grim but that is not what is happening like the climate zealots would like you to believe."

Additionally, Padilla secured Wright's commitment to publishing non-classified Department of Energy (DOE) research. This is especially important amid risks that the incoming Trump Administration could try to withhold, censor, or suppress critical DOE research and studies. Padilla also highlighted Wright's expressed interest in pulling back federal subsidies for mature industries, including for oil and gas.

Key Excerpts:

PADILLA: Despite the misinformation that's circulating here in the Capitol, in Southern California, and everywhere in between, it's clear that these fires only reached the size and the scale that they have because of unseasonably dry vegetation and extremely high winds, both of which are a direct result of climate change. Mr. Wright, thank you for being here. But as you've seen this last week, the climate crisis and its deadly effects is very real to my neighbors and my constituents.

As we discussed in our meeting yesterday, you were a long-time resident of California, so you've seen the conditions evolve firsthand. So I've got to tell you, I was pretty disappointed to come across some social media posts of yours, and I'll quote, understand you've written that "the hype over wildfires is just hype to justify more impoverishment from bad government policies." Given the devastation that we're currently experiencing in Los Angeles do you still believe that wildfires are just hype?

WRIGHT: Sir, it is with great sorrow and fear that I watch what's happening in your city of LA and those fires.

PADILLA: Do you think it's just hype or not?

WRIGHT: Climate change is a real and global phenomenon.

PADILLA: Is it hype or not?

WRIGHT: I stand by my past comment.

PADILLA: So you believe it's hype.

WRIGHT: Climate change is a real-

PADILLA: Tell that to the families of the more than two dozen lost in these fires and counting because urban search and rescue teams are still going property by property with cadaver dogs. That number is going to climb. I'm disappointed, Mr. Wright.

Let me make reference to another element of your social media. You reposted a statement, so not your words, but you felt it important enough to amplify a social media post, and I'll quote, "Now obviously, burning to death in a fire is pretty grim but that is not what is happening like the climate zealots would like you to believe."

So again, to the families of more than a couple dozen of my constituents who have died in these fires, and that number is growing, like I mentioned, do you believe that Californians who have died over the past week are somehow just a figment of our imagination?

WRIGHT: Of course, not, Senator, it is, it is heart wrenching to watch the destruction, most importantly of people's lives.

PADILLA: I agree. And I'm not sorry for cutting you off here. I think the point has been made, and you're standing by your posts, and I assume the reposts as well.

More information on the hearing is available here.

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