In apparent flub, Energy Secretary Wright says U.S. heading ‘in the wrong direction’
WASHINGTON — Energy Secretary Chris Wright raised eyebrows Tuesday after saying the country “seems to be going in the wrong direction” in remarks praising a new natural gas pipeline project.
Speaking about the groundbreaking for a project that will transport natural gas from Pennsylvania to New York and Long Island, Wright said President Donald Trump “aims to lower costs for Americans and increase job opportunities and wages for Americans.”
Moments later, Wright apparently misspoke, saying, “Just because it looks like we’re going in the wrong direction doesn’t mean that’s the direction we’re going.” »
The Department of Energy later released excerpts of Wright’s speech that did not include the “misdirection” comment.
The apparent gaffe comes a month after Wright posted a video on social media claiming the U.S. Navy helped an oil tanker pass through the Strait of Hormuz. The strait is a key access point for oil and natural gas shipments to the Middle East and was largely blocked during the war in Iran. The video was quickly deleted, and officials blamed Wright’s staff for the mistake.
On Tuesday, Wright and other Trump officials spoke at the groundbreaking in Brooklyn for the Northeast Supply Enhancement Pipeline. Officials said the project, which will be developed by Williams Companies, will provide affordable and reliable energy to millions of Americans in the region.
The project is an expansion of an existing pipeline system across Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York and was a priority for the Trump administration.
The project, along with another Williams pipeline, the Constitution Pipeline, has long been blocked for environmental reasons. The Trump administration, which has emphasized oil and gas infrastructure development, has pushed to revive pipeline construction efforts.
The restarts came shortly after the Trump administration withdrew its opposition to a massive wind project off Long Island championed by Democratic New York Gov. Kathy Hochul.
Hochul agreed to review the pipeline plans last year, despite intense lobbying from the Trump administration. Hochul denied any agreements linking the wind farm and natural gas pipelines, saying in a statement that she “will work with the administration and private entities on new energy projects that meet the legal requirements of New York law.”
