A lot of the tension boils down to Wright's willingness to take a deliberate, methodical approach to cuts -- including evaluating programs, seeking industry input -- and Trump politicos who want to quickly slash any energy spending with even a hint of Biden attached to it.

It's one major example of how Wright, a successful fracking exec, has at times struggled to slot into politics and the broader government bureaucracy.

Wright dallied on these decisions for months. WH took over process when it learned of Wright's timing, worrying doing it so close to the shutdown would squander leverage over Democrats.

The "straw that broke the camel's back," as one person told me, was Wright blindsided WH by telling them he intended to formally cut billions in energy contracts days before the govt shutdown.

Big ups to @catherineaallen.bsky.social who helped with the analysis and the many colleagues who had a hand creating the great graphics in this story

Anyway I’m on vacation so truly don’t @ me, just read the story

The upshot of this story: As Trump pursues a sincere desire to revive the nuclear industry, his promises to nuclear power developers are running into conflict with national security concerns.

Lots of previously unreported docs & communications put that on display in the story.

Oklo said Wright is not playing favorites, noting he has broadly promoted a next generation nuclear power technologies.

DOE said Wright divested and resigned from anything that would appear to create a conflict of interest before he took the DOE role.

One company that stands to benefit is Oklo, one of the most prominent of new wave nuclear power companies.

It is the most public about its desires to use plutonium as a bridge fuel.

Energy Sec. Chris Wright sat on its board until he took over the department.