Energy Secretary Chris Wright pushes back on utilities’ call for more wind and solar

 Feb 7, 2026

 

 

Utility companies looking to add every possible electron to the electric grid will not have the full backing of the Trump administration, as Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the United States needs reliable energy, not wind and solar power.

 

Utility trade groups, large tech firms, and major manufacturers, as well as Republican and Democratic lawmakers, have called for the Trump administration to adopt an “all-of-the-above” energy strategy, which would include renewable energy sources such as wind and solar, to meet the growing demand brought on by artificial intelligence and address soaring electricity prices.

Recomm Wright pushed back on industry and Capitol Hill messaging on Friday during a press conference at the Energy Department’s headquarters, the focus should instead be on demand. 

“When I hear politicians say, ‘We just added more electrons on the grid,’ no, we don’t,” Wright said.

Wright lambasted wind and solar power, which can be added to the grid relatively quickly, saying the renewable alternatives fail to add anything meaningful to the total capacity of the electricity grid.

“Giving me extra electricity when I don’t need it — it’s just an extra cost,” he said. 

..... (remainder of article behind paywall)

Energy Secretary Chris Wright pushes back on utilities' call for more wind and solar

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