Energy Secretary Chris Wright appeared before a House Appropriations subcommittee on Wednesday to testify in support of President Donald Trump’s proposed fiscal year 2026 budget.

The hearing was one of several throughout the week in which department heads outlined how they plan to implement the administration’s policies and justify federal spending.

Wright used the hearing to reinforce the Department of Energy’s (DOE) shift toward reducing regulatory burdens and increasing operational efficiency.

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“The Department of Energy will advance these critical missions while cutting red tape, increasing efficiency, unleashing innovation and ensuring we are better stewards of taxpayer dollars,” Wright told the subcommittee.

While much of the discussion focused on the DOE’s future budget and policy direction, several Democrats pressed Wright on recent department decisions, including staffing reductions and the restructuring of agency programs.

Rep. Marcy Kaptur, D-Ohio, questioned Wright over allegations that DOE funds were frozen and staff dismissed in connection with the Trump administration’s agenda.

Wright pushed back, saying those claims were based on misinformation and that no funds had been frozen.

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Wright pointed to a concerning pattern in the final days of the Biden-Harris administration as one example of why greater oversight is needed.

He stated that while the DOE’s Loan Programs Office had issued approximately $40 billion in energy project loans over the past 15 years, it approved over $100 billion in loans during the final 76 days of Biden’s term.

“It’s extremely concerning,” Wright said, noting that standard clauses found in prior loan agreements were missing in the rushed approvals made at the end of the previous administration.

President Trump’s 2026 budget proposal seeks to eliminate what he calls the “Green New Scam,” including major cuts to renewable energy programs, carbon capture, and electric vehicle subsidies.

The plan includes $2.5 billion in reductions to the DOE’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy program, and defunds Environmental Protection Agency “environmental justice” initiatives and grants to non-governmental organizations supporting climate activism.

“When America leads in energy, we lead in prosperity, security and human flourishing,” Wright said, affirming that his department is aligned with President Trump’s strategy of maximizing use of domestic coal, oil, and natural gas.

Kaptur also raised concerns about DOE staffing reductions, asking about recent reports of dismissals at the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). Wright said the department had reduced staff by a single-digit percentage—less than 1,000 employees out of 16,000—and that nearly all of the changes were voluntary.

He confirmed that a broader restructuring is underway.

Regarding the NNSA, Wright acknowledged reports that 300 employees were released but later rehired when their roles were deemed essential.

He reiterated that many accusations made in letters from lawmakers were inaccurate.

“The premise of some of the letters I’ve received is simply false,” Wright said.

Wright emphasized the importance of expanding nuclear, geothermal, and fossil fuel energy to support emerging technologies like artificial intelligence.

“If we are lagging, if we’re behind China in AI, our sovereignty, our national defense, is at risk,” he said.

Rep. Frank Mrvan, D-Ind., highlighted the issue of critical mineral shortages, citing halted production at a Ford plant due to a lack of key components.

Wright said reversing U.S. dependence on foreign mineral supply chains—particularly China’s—was a top DOE priority.

“Of the 50 critical minerals, we’re 100% dependent on imports for 12 of them,” he said, calling for permitting reform to enable new domestic mining and refining projects.

Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-Wash., questioned the administration’s stance on hydroelectric power, particularly efforts under the prior administration to remove Snake River dams.

Wright said he supports preserving the dams, calling them flexible, reliable energy sources critical to the development of AI and national economic stability.

“When America was bold, we built a number of great dams. They’ve been critical to the economic prosperity of our country,” Wright said.

Though Wright did not provide specific figures on DOE’s fiscal year 2026 budget request, he indicated that cost-cutting and efficiency reforms are central to the department’s direction under the Trump administration.

His remarks suggest a leaner request than that of former Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm.

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