Energy Secretary Chris Wright faced intense scrutiny this week over gasoline prices and his departments budget plans. According to Politico, Wright downplayed his earlier forecast that gas prices might not drop below three dollars a gallon until next year, a prediction that drew sharp criticism from President Donald Trump. Speaking to CNN over the weekend, Wright noted that the surge in pump prices, fueled by the United States and Israeli war in Iran, had peaked, but sub-three-dollar gas might not return soon. On Wednesday, during testimony before the United States Energy and Water Development Subcommittee, Wright told lawmakers no one can guarantee future prices, as reported by RIA Novosti.
Lawmakers grilled Wright in multiple hearings, including one on April twenty-first before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Inside Climate News reports that Democrats, led by Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon, challenged the departments fiscal year twenty twenty-seven budget request of fifty-three point nine billion dollars, a ten percent increase from the prior year. Critics opposed cuts to solar and wind research while funds propped up fossil fuel plants. Wright defended the shift, citing an internal analysis showing grid outage risks could rise up to one hundred fold by twenty thirty due to supply shortages.
The budget introduces new programs like Baseload Power, allocating three point five billion dollars for upgrades to coal, nuclear, and hydropower plants facing retirement, plus new pipelines. Senator Martin Heinrich pressed Wright on high gas prices tied to the Iran conflict and using emergency powers to extend coal plant life, per his office statement.
On a forward-looking note, the Department of Energy issued requests for applications on April twenty-second to partner with private industry on recycling used nuclear fuel, as announced on the departments website. This aims to advance nuclear capabilities through design, construction, and operations.
Meanwhile, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission plans action by June on large load interconnection rules, prompted by Wrights advance notice addressing data center demands, according to Stoel Rives.
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