Today, the Washington Post reported that Energy Secretary nominee Chris Wright dismissed wildfires as “just hype” to justify climate policies in past social media posts. When confronted by Senator Alex Padilla during his confirmation hearing about the lives lost and communities shattered by the ongoing fires in Los Angeles, Wright doubled down on his stance. In response, Evergreen Action Executive Director Lena Moffitt released the following statement:

“Chris Wright made it clear today that he’s both a climate denier and shockingly indifferent to the devastating realities facing Americans. Right now, in Los Angeles, residents are grappling with unprecedented wildfires, widespread destruction, and loss. Wildfires are not ‘just hype,’ as Wright has claimed; they are catastrophic events fueled by the worsening climate crisis. His refusal to acknowledge the real forces contributing to the profound toll of these disasters—on families, first responders, and communities—is deeply troubling. This raises serious questions about his fitness to serve in any public leadership role.”

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