US Energy Secretary criticizes net-zero policy in new order
According to a Wednesday order by Energy Secretary Chris Wright, the U.S. Department of Energy prioritizes expanding energy production above achieving net-zero emissions of greenhouse gases.
The secretarial orders are meant to align the Department with President Donald Trump's priorities. Trump has called climate changes a hoax, and has pledged to maximize oil and gas production which is already at record levels.
According to the order, "Net-zero policy raises energy costs for American households and businesses. It also threatens the reliability of the energy system and undermines our energy and our national security."
It said that the Department would "go forward" with the goal of releasing the vast abundance of American power required to power the modern world and to achieve an American energy dominance.
The order stated that the department will pursue plans Trump had already outlined, including speeding up energy permits, strengthening grid resilience, expanding nuclear power capacity and replenishing the nation's strategic oil stocks.
The order did not provide any new information on how to achieve these goals.
Joe Biden, the former president of the United States, set an ambitious goal for the United States: to reach net-zero emission by 2050. This would help combat climate change. Subsidies were used to promote clean energy and electric cars.
The U.S. also saw record oil and gas production during Biden's term, thanks to improved drilling technology, high prices and the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Writing and editing by Richard Valdmanis)
(source: Reuters)
