Wed Mar 19 22:20:00 UTC 2025: ## Energy Secretary Wright Defends ARPA-E Amidst Calls for its Elimination

**National Harbor, MD** – Energy Secretary Chris Wright delivered a strong endorsement of the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) on Monday, pushing back against ongoing efforts to eliminate the agency. Speaking at ARPA-E’s annual summit, Wright emphasized the agency’s crucial role in accelerating energy innovation, particularly in areas vital to national defense and medical research.

ARPA-E, which has funded over 1,700 energy projects totaling $4.2 billion since 2009, has faced repeated calls for its elimination. President Trump previously proposed its closure, and conservative groups like the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 have echoed those calls. The agency is also currently under review by the White House Office of Management and Budget.

However, Wright, a former oil and gas executive, argued that ARPA-E’s high-risk, high-reward approach is essential to fueling advancements in energy technologies. He highlighted the agency’s potential to drive progress in energy storage, solar manufacturing, small modular reactors, and even nuclear fusion. Wright’s visit included tours of projects funded by ARPA-E, including Westinghouse Electric Co.’s nuclear microreactor and Deep Isolation Inc.’s nuclear waste isolation technology.

Wright’s strong defense of ARPA-E suggests the agency may survive the current scrutiny, though its future remains uncertain given the ongoing efforts to reduce the size of the US government.

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