US energy secretary Chris Wright has announced that his department will return billions of dollars set aside for green projects to the treasury, while attacking what he called the 'Green New Scam agenda' of the previous administration. Speaking on Wednesday, Wright claimed that international climate policy has not lowered emissions and that climate action has made energy more expensive, reducing people's quality of life.
Wright defended a controversial energy department report criticised for containing climate misinformation, asserting it contained only one figure inconsistent with a recent National Academies report. He also argued that more than 30 years since the Kyoto protocol, global greenhouse gas emissions have not changed trajectory. However, UN data shows that since the Paris agreement, projected warming by century's end has been reduced from over 4°C to 2.6°C if climate plans are fully implemented.
The department plans to return $13bn in Biden-era funding for green projects, which Wright described as wasteful. He did not specify which projects would be affected. When questioned about halting wind farm construction, including permitted ones, Wright cited concerns about impacts on whale populations, though scientists say there is no credible evidence of major danger from turbines.
Asked about the potential for future administrations to target fossil fuel projects similarly, Wright pointed to Biden's revocation of a permit for the Keystone XL oil pipeline. On electricity costs, Wright dodged questions about rising bills due to the administration's policies, instead blaming Biden's coal plant closures. Wright confirmed he will not attend the COP30 climate talks in Brazil in November.
