Trump’s ‘Energy Dominance’ Agenda Shields US From Iran Turmoil, Energy Chief Says

Energy Secretary Chris Wright said American consumers are reaping the benefits from the Trump administration’s pro-energy agenda, a fundamental departure from Biden-era policies.

Citing the recent conflict between Israel and Iran in the volatile Middle East, Wright noted that “today the price of oil is lower than it was when bullets started flying” on June 13. “That’s just an amazing transformation,” he added.

Wright spoke with Breitbart’s Matt Boyle at a Tuesday event in downtown Washington, D.C., hours after President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire between the two warring counties.

As head of the Department of Energy, Wright said his goals include expanding domestic drilling, eliminating “nonsense” climate regulations, positioning American energy production as key to both domestic and foreign policy, and beating China in the artificial intelligence race.

The Middle East

Wright credited Trump’s “dramatically different leadership style” for putting the United States in a strong position amid tensions in the Middle East. Today, the United States is the largest oil producer in the world and second-biggest producer of natural gas—insulating Americans from the fighting in Iran.

He explained that the Biden administration “shunned” its allies in the Middle East “and sort of coddled Iran.” Wright added, “We talk to our allies in the Middle East who are major energy exporters and treat them as they should be treated—as allies.”

Without Trump, Wright said, global affairs would be vastly different.

“Four years ago or 20 years ago with the same set of facts … we would just have wildly higher energy prices and fear in the marketplace.” That this has not occurred, he continued, “is a great testament to President Trump’s agenda of energy dominance.”

Drill, Baby, Drill

Wright said he was committed to increasing oil and natural gas drilling in Alaska. This marks a significant change from the Biden administration’s policies, which included a drilling ban on millions of acres in Alaska.

Wright said expanding drilling is key “so the giant energy resources in the North can power and better the lives of the people in the South and maybe our allies in Asia as well.”

He added that Trump’s attitude sends the message that “we believe in American energy production. We’re proud to get American energy production. We’re forever going to be committed to American energy production.”

“We’re seeing the benefits of [Trump’s leadership] both in peace in the Middle East and in the lack of economic disruption in energy price spikes in the United States,” Wright said.

One Big, Beautiful Bill

With the Senate moving close to a vote on the “One Big, Beautiful Bill,” Wright expressed optimism about the energy provisions included in the legislation.

He said the bill would remove electrical sourcing subsidies and “a whole bunch of other restrictions and leasing and permitting reform that allow development of whatever energy source.”

It also ends “green delusions,” which resulted in American production moving overseas due to climate policies.

Wright said the bill will “unleash” nuclear, geothermal, oil, gas and coal energy.

Artificial Intelligence

When questioned on artificial intelligence, Wright explained that it will be useful for national defense and understanding and treating cancer and endemic diseases. The race for artificial intelligence is comparable to the Manhattan Project, he said.

He emphasized the importance of Trump’s presidential victory, stating that the U.S. has “smothered” its energy system while China has spent decades “massively” increasing its electrical grid.

“If we continue the smothering, anti-energy foolish policies of the last administration, a lot of AI would just be done overseas,” Wright added. “We cannot be behind China in artificial intelligence.”

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