Republican lawmakers visited Iowa State University Thursday morning as part of a nationwide energy tour.U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright toured the Ames National Laboratory — one of 17 national laboratories under the authority of the Department of Energy. The site was a driving force behind the Manhattan Project during World War II and now conducts research on national security, energy and the environment.”Ames Laboratory here is a leader in bringing these technologies and capabilities back to our country,” Wright said.Also in attendance were Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst and 1st Congressional District Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, both of whom emphasized the importance of “American energy dominance” outlined in the Trump administration’s “big, beautiful bill.””We have to be able to compete economically around the globe,” Miller-Meeks said. “To compete economically, we need affordable, abundant, reliable and secure energy.”The Los Angeles Times reported last week that Wright plans to review and potentially alter the nation’s next climate science report. This decision comes even after bouts of severe weather — including floods, wildfires and heat records — have recently swept the nation.Wright told KCCI in a presser during the tour that he and the Trump administration want an “honest assessment” of climate change and an “open public debate” across society.”It’s real thing. It’s a true physical phenomenon,” he said. “But it’s just not even close to the world’s biggest problem.” The energy secretary’s experience does not include a science degree but does include business experience.Wright is the fourth Cabinet member to visit Iowa this week, behind Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and Small Business Administration Administrator Kelly Loeffler.He will continue his energy tour at several other laboratories across the U.S.» Subscribe to KCCI’s YouTube page» Download the free KCCI app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play
Republican lawmakers visited Iowa State University Thursday morning as part of a nationwide energy tour.
U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright toured the Ames National Laboratory — one of 17 national laboratories under the authority of the Department of Energy. The site was a driving force behind the Manhattan Project during World War II and now conducts research on national security, energy and the environment.
“Ames Laboratory here is a leader in bringing these technologies and capabilities back to our country,” Wright said.
Also in attendance were Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst and 1st Congressional District Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, both of whom emphasized the importance of “American energy dominance” outlined in the Trump administration’s “big, beautiful bill.“
“We have to be able to compete economically around the globe,” Miller-Meeks said. “To compete economically, we need affordable, abundant, reliable and secure energy.”
The Los Angeles Times reported last week that Wright plans to review and potentially alter the nation’s next climate science report. This decision comes even after bouts of severe weather — including floods, wildfires and heat records — have recently swept the nation.
Wright told KCCI in a presser during the tour that he and the Trump administration want an “honest assessment” of climate change and an “open public debate” across society.
“It’s real thing. It’s a true physical phenomenon,” he said. “But it’s just not even close to the world’s biggest problem.”
The energy secretary’s experience does not include a science degree but does include business experience.
Wright is the fourth Cabinet member to visit Iowa this week, behind Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and Small Business Administration Administrator Kelly Loeffler.
He will continue his energy tour at several other laboratories across the U.S.
» Subscribe to KCCI’s YouTube page
» Download the free KCCI app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play