Trump Energy Chief Declares Climate Change a 'Global Physical Phenomenon' Amid Reversal of Biden-Era Policies

In a clear pivot away from the Biden-era climate agenda, Energy Secretary Chris Wright announced that the Trump administration is approaching climate change as "a global physical phenomenon," while vowing to undo what he described as "politically polarizing" policies implemented under Joe Biden.

Speaking at the S&P Global's CERAWeek energy conference in Houston, Wright pushed back on accusations of being a "climate denier," emphasizing, "I am a climate realist. The Trump administration will treat climate change for what it is, a global physical phenomenon that is a side effect of building the modern world."

This marks a striking departure from Biden's assertion that climate change is the "ultimate threat to humanity." Wright's tone was unapologetically critical of the previous administration, accusing it of enforcing policies that he argued stripped consumers of choice, including mandates on electric vehicles and strict appliance regulations.

Wright didn't mince words, stating, "The Trump administration will end the Biden administration’s irrational, quasi-religious policies on climate change that imposed endless sacrifices on our citizens. The previous administration's climate policies have been impoverishing to our citizens, economically destructive to our businesses, and politically polarizing." He added, "The cure was far more destructive than the disease."

The energy chief outlined two main goals for the Trump administration's climate approach: lowering costs and improving performance for American consumers. Highlighting this philosophy, he questioned, "Is that radical?"

In a concrete move, Wright announced the approval of an export permit extension for Delfin LNG LLC, a liquefied natural gas project that had been delayed under Biden. This action underscores the administration's broader focus on "unleashing American energy," a key pillar of Trump’s second term agenda.

During his remarks, Wright took a swipe at the perceived beneficiaries of Biden’s climate policies, stating, "There are no winners in that world except for politicians and rapidly growing interest groups. The only interest group that we are concerned with is the American people."

Meanwhile, the White House has yet to respond to Wright's comments, leaving the Biden administration’s perspective on this dramatic policy reversal unaddressed for now. One thing is clear: the Trump administration is doubling down on its energy-first approach, with climate policies taking a backseat to economic and consumer priorities.