June 26, 2025 - U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright. visited Morgantown’s National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) on Wednesday, as part of his nationwide tour of all 17 national laboratories within the department’s authority.

During his visit, Secretary Wright shared his beliefs about how West Virginia plays an essential role in the nation’s production and research of energy, as the state produces all three of the world’s fastest-growing energy sources: natural gas, natural gas liquids, classified as oil, and coal.

Wright told 12 News that the future of West Virginia’s role in the nation’s energy landscape may shift depending on whether or not the Trump Administration’s “Big Beautiful Bill” passes in Congress. 

“We’re going to re-industrialize America, we’re going to bring factories here, we’re going to bring steel making here. Our met coal market is very depressed right now; we’re going to see an increase in demand for met coal and hopefully stronger prices and better lives there. West Virginia is also a business-friendly state, so our data centers are going to come here, our manufacturing facilities are going to come here—absolutely,” Wright said during a press conference.

During his tour of the facility, Secretary Wright also shared his opinion on the nation’s need to meet the demands of artificial intelligence in the U.S., referring to the creation of AI data centers as “the second Manhattan project.” Wright said it’s critical that the U.S. isn’t second in the development of these intensive energy-consuming centers.

“We have a lead in technology and scientists and freedom and capital markets, but if we don’t add electricity demand that can completely supply all of the data centers that are built in the United States and stop the rise of electricity for our citizens. […] we’re a loser and we’re not going to be a loser.”

Secretary Wright’s nationwide tour comes at the same time as the push to pass the Trump Administration’s “Big Beautiful Bill”, which he believes will get distortions out of energy markets in favor of the United States.