Secretary of the US Department of the Interior Doug Burgum speaks at CERAWeek by S&P Global in Houston, Wednesday, March 12, 2025.

Michael Stoppard, S&P Global, moderates as Alan Armstrong, the Williams Companies, Michael Sabel, Venture Global LNG, and Steven Kobos, Excelerate Energy, participate in a panel discussion at CERAWeek by S&P Global in Houston, Wednesday, March 12, 2025.

President Donald Trump’s Cabinet secretaries speaking in Houston at the world’s top energy conference made oil and gas executives look like left wing climate activists by comparison as CEOs struggled to adapt to another swing of the political pendulum.

Energy Secretary Chris Wright’s triumphal speech, awkwardly delivered to the friendliest of audiences, proved the Trump administration’s policies are extreme, even from the fossil fuel industry’s perspective. Attendees seemed almost embarrassed for him.

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum’s obsequiousness clarified his dedication to boosting fossil fuel profits. He said he trusts oil and gas corporations to respect the environment and local communities, a faith in their compatriots I know most CEOs do not share.

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Almost every CEO speaking at CERAWeek by S&P Global reiterated their commitment to slowing climate change. They asked for a “durable policy” that did not........

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