POLITICO Energy Inside Energy Secretary Wright’s playbook for energy dominance
Feb 9, 2026
Chris Wright, U.S. Energy Secretary and long‑time energy executive focused on fossil fuels and nuclear policy, talks Venezuela diplomacy and oil investment. He discusses gas prices, data centers' grid role, winterization lessons, and small modular reactors. Short, direct conversations about energy production, geopolitics, and strategies to lower costs for Americans.
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Fixing Pdvsa Is A Priority
- Pdvsa was once technically competent but has deteriorated, so professionalizing its management is a priority.
- Wright frames improving Pdvsa as aligned U.S. and Venezuelan interests to restore production and governance.
Energy As A Geopolitical Tool
- The Venezuela action is framed as a geopolitical move to change incentives without military force using energy and commerce.
- Wright says oil played a coincidental role but gave the U.S. leverage to influence Venezuela's trajectory.
Lower Costs By Cutting Uncertainty
- Reduce regulatory uncertainty and ensure reliable lease sales to lower producers' break-even costs.
- Wright credits the administration's policy changes with making U.S. production easier and cheaper.