Chris Wright stood on the deck of a sprawling shale gas development site in rural Pennsylvania, the orange glow of the setting sun casting long shadows over the rugged terrain. As the newly appointed Secretary of Energy, Wright felt a rare pang of uncertainty. The site was emblematic of the fracking boom he had championed, yet its challenges were undeniable.
Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, had unlocked immense reserves of natural gas trapped deep within shale formations, fueling the U.S. economy and bolstering energy independence. But the method came with a cost. The jagged scars across the landscape hinted at the battles waged underground—geological disturbances that had triggered minor earthquakes and drawn the ire of local communities. Soil contamination, too, was a persistent worry. Critics argued that the chemicals used in the process seeped into water tables, threatening agriculture and public health.
For Wright, the stakes were clear. The success of President Trump’s vision of a “Golden Age of American Prosperity and Global Peace” hinged on projects like this one. Yet the cost of developing new shale gas fields was skyrocketing. Equipment upgrades, regulatory compliance—even after the promised “red tape cutting”—and legal battles with environmental groups threatened the profitability of the sector.
As a staunch climate change skeptic, Wright had often dismissed concerns about carbon emissions and their role in global warming. To him, the term “carbon pollution” was a marketing ploy by activists. Yet he couldn’t deny the public backlash over fracking’s environmental impact. Protesters had dogged his every step since his nomination, their chants calling for an end to fossil fuel dependency.
Despite the noise, Wright remained resolute. “Energy is the lifeblood that makes everything in life possible,” he reminded himself, echoing the words he had posted on X after his nomination. But standing there, staring at the vast, scarred field before him, he knew he had to chart a delicate path forward.
His team had proposed a slate of innovations: cleaner fracking fluids, advanced well-sealing technologies, and systems to recycle wastewater. These measures could mitigate some of the environmental risks while keeping costs manageable. Yet they would take time—and trust—to implement.
For now, Wright decided, he would listen. Turning toward the small group of farmers and activists gathered near the site’s entrance, he motioned for his aide to set up a meeting. “Let’s hear their concerns,” he said. “If we’re going to lead the world in energy production, we need to do it responsibly. That’s how we build prosperity—and peace.”
The aide looked surprised but quickly nodded. As the sun dipped below the horizon, Wright strode toward the group, his resolve hardened. The shale boom had its flaws, but to him, it was the foundation of a stronger America. Finding the balance between development and preservation would be his most daunting challenge yet.
All names of people and organizations appearing in this story are pseudonyms.
Chris Wright, Climate Change Skeptic, To Be Trump’s Energy Secretary
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