U.S. Urges Eastern Europe to Rethink Green Energy Goals

As the world struggles to find common ground on climate action, a divide is growing between strategies.

In Europe, the push for green energy is moving fast. But not everyone agrees with how it’s being done.

Now the United States is calling for Central and Eastern European countries to take a different path, according to Digi24.

U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright spoke on Monday during a visit to Warsaw. He was attending the Three Seas Initiative Summit.

There, he asked the countries of Central and Eastern Europe to join what he called the “Energy Freedom” strategy.

He said this would be better than following the European Union’s plans for a net-zero economy.

Wright believes Western Europe has chosen the wrong energy path. He said climate policies in the region have been forced from the top down.

He argued that these policies are expensive and hurt economic growth. He also said they mostly benefit foreign companies.

He invited Eastern Europe to follow a new route. “It is time for Central Europe to make a choice,” Wright said. “We welcome you to join us on the Energy Freedom and Prosperity for Citizens Team.”

The U.S. left the Paris Climate Agreement in 2020, during Donald Trump’s presidency.

At the same time, the administration pushed for more coal and oil production. Wright continued in that spirit.

He said climate change is real but not the biggest problem the world faces.

He claimed the goal of reaching net zero by 2050 is both unrealistic and harmful.

He believes the world should focus on energy sources that are proven to work.

These include natural gas and nuclear power. “They produce affordable and reliable energy,” Wright said.

That same day, U.S. companies Westinghouse and Bechtel signed a deal to build Poland’s first nuclear power plant.

Westinghouse also has plans to build reactors in other countries in the region.

Wright said energy decisions should focus on results.

In his view, practical energy solutions are more important than long-term climate targets that may not be reached.