U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright conducted an official visit to the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) in Morgantown, West Virginia, on July 10, 2025, to assess the facility's advanced research initiatives aimed at bolstering American energy independence and technological leadership. The visit underscored the Department of Energy's commitment to leveraging domestic resources and cutting-edge science to enhance national security and drive global innovation.

During his tour, Secretary Wright and his delegation engaged with NETL researchers, gaining first-hand insight into projects focused on optimizing hydrocarbon energy resources to meet growing national demand. Key research areas highlighted included advanced combustion studies, which demonstrate potential for significant efficiency increases over current commercial technologies, thereby aiming to reduce energy costs for American households and bolster grid reliability. The Secretary also observed innovative processes utilizing microwaves and plasmas to enhance the production of essential chemicals, strengthening domestic manufacturing competitiveness and supply chain security.

Further discussions centered on NETL’s application of computer tomography to better understand dynamic processes within subsurface energy systems, unlocking the potential of domestic oil, gas, geothermal, and rare earth element resources. Researchers also presented their work on converting affordable domestic resources like coal and biomass into valuable products, including carbon fibers, chemicals, transportation fuels, and hydrogen.

Secretary Wright emphasized the human and economic dimensions of energy development, stating, “When we think about energy, we should think about humans. We develop energy to make humans’ lives better. The other thing is math. Different sources have different tradeoffs. How do you invest those resources to get the greatest human improvement? The math and the human uplift have been overwhelmingly favoring hydrocarbons. This is why the work here at NETL focused on innovating hydrocarbon technologies is so important and so critical to the department’s success.”

The Secretary also reviewed NETL’s robust capabilities in advanced computing, artificial intelligence (AI), and data analytics, which are accelerating technological breakthroughs and solidifying America’s leadership in high-performance computing. Progress on the new Computational Science and Engineering Center was also noted, poised to become a cornerstone for NETL’s advanced scientific computing, including supercomputing via Joule 3.0 and critical AI/machine learning applications that support DOE’s innovation and national security goals.

“NETL research drives innovation across the energy sector, from AI-enhanced modeling and efficient power generation systems to critical mineral recovery and advanced materials that resist corrosion, protect infrastructure and extend equipment life,” stated NETL Director Brian Walck. “Secretary Wright’s visit to our Morgantown campus provided us with an excellent opportunity to show how clearly our work is aligned with DOE’s mission and vision and how our work is providing tangible benefits to the American people.” NETL, with facilities in Albany, Oregon; Morgantown, West Virginia; and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, remains dedicated to advancing the nation’s energy future through innovative solutions and strategic collaborations.