Exclusive: Energy Secretary Chris Wright discusses the future of tri-state power, gas prices and the AI surge
Against the backdrop of the active natural gas processing facility, Wright addressed the most pressing concerns facing residents in the tri-state: the sky-high cost of gas prices, which is over $4 a gallon, and home heating fuel.
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In a rare, one-on-one extended interview, News 12 senior reporter Tara Rosenblum sat down with U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright at an active natural gas processing facility in Brooklyn, where officials just broke ground on the Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) project. The facility is designed to bring more natural gas into the tri-state and serve millions of homes.
Against the backdrop of the plant, Wright addressed the most pressing concerns facing residents in the tri-state: the high cost of gas prices, which is over $4 a gallon, and home heating fuel.
Wright also responded on his plan to alleviate pain at the pump.
"So, we've done a coordinated reserve of 400 million barrels from the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve and around the world. We've changed refining regulations on gasoline so we can produce additional gasoline this summer. That's going to help tamp down prices," he said.
Nuclear energy in New York and New Jersey was also discussed. Five years after the closure of the Indian Point nuclear facility in Westchester, the debate over its decommissioning remains charged. Wright weighed in on the realism of a nuclear comeback.
With several offshore wind projects on Long Island currently stalled, Wright also discussed what could fill the gap if those projects aren't moving forward.
Artificial intelligence was also a topic of discussion, as data centers are driving power demand up for the first time in decades.
The interview also touched on topics related to the political arena. Wright responded to topics including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's proposed Artificial Intelligence Data Center Moratorium Act, as well as the dynamics of President Donald Trump's cabinet.
