Energy Matters: Chris Wright of Liberty Energy at the 51st ALEC Annual Meeting
“Two things changed life expectancy from 30 years to 73 years globally: the spread of human liberty and the explosion of available energy, particularly hydrocarbons.”
Denver, CO – In a world increasingly focused on environmental shifts and rapid technological advancements, we often lose sight of a fundamental truth: energy powers modern civilization. At the ALEC Annual Meeting in Denver, CO, Chris Wright, CEO of Liberty Energy, reminded attendees that without abundant, affordable energy, the modern world would not exist as we know it. From the materials used to make our clothes to the electricity that powers our homes, energy is the foundation of human progress.
“Two things changed life expectancy from 30 years to 73 years globally,” Wright said. “The spread of human liberty and the explosion of available energy, particularly hydrocarbons.”
His point was clear: energy is not just about convenience; it’s about survival and growth. Wright’s company, Liberty Energy, was founded on this principle—energy unlocks human potential, and we must continue to embrace the sources that have driven the industrial revolution.
The Tough Reality of Energy Production
Wright didn’t mince words when discussing the complexities of energy production. As much as we’d like to believe in a simple, clean energy future, the reality is much more complicated. Despite significant advances in renewable technologies, hydrocarbons remain the world’s primary energy source.
“Fifty years ago, 85% of global energy came from hydrocarbons,” Wright explained. “Today, that number is still 85%, even though we consume 125% more energy now than we did back then.”
This isn’t due to a lack of innovation, Wright argued, but because energy is hard. It’s challenging to scale and produce energy at the level that modern society demands while maintaining affordability and reliability.
He pointed California’s energy policies as a cautionary tale.
“California has gone ridiculous on energy. They’ve made it expensive and unreliable,” Wright said.
The result? Energy-intensive manufacturing has fled the state, leaving it with the highest adjusted poverty rate in the nation. That just proves what we already know: when energy is restricted, human opportunity shrinks.
A Call for Balanced Energy Policies
For Wright, the solution is not to demonize any particular energy source but to embrace a pragmatic approach.
“I don’t care where energy comes from, as long as it’s affordable, reliable, and improves human lives,” he said.
He called for a balanced approach that acknowledges the role of hydrocarbons in the global energy mix while continuing to innovate in renewables and other alternatives.
But he couldn’t stress the importance of energy literacy in public policy enough.
“The availability of energy is the biggest constraint on the quality of life,” he said. “If you restrict freedom, and you restrict restrict energy, you just constrain everyone’s opportunities and make life smaller, rougher, and more difficult.”
Mr. Wright’s perspective offers a reality check on energy policy, pushing for a nuanced understanding of the complexities involved in powering modern life. His message to policymakers and citizens alike is simple: energy matters. Whether it’s hydrocarbons or renewables, what we need is affordable, reliable energy that enhances human well-being, not policies that inadvertently diminish it.