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# Shhh! Don't tell Chris, but...
- URL: https://nuff-sed.com/shhh-dont-tell-chris-but/
- Published: 2026-09-08T12:10:48.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-08T12:10:48.000Z
- Author: Thomas Raleigh

On Sunday, Energy Secretary Chris Wright made the Sunday talk show circuit with interview appearances on CNN *State of the Union*, CBS *Face the Nation,* ABC *This Week,* andFOX *News Sunday.* He used the same talking points in his argument to blame the Biden administration for closing oil refineries he claims led to the current gasoline and diesel Labor Day record pricing trends. 

Shhh!!! Don’t tell Chris, but It’s my understanding that U.S. presidents do not have the authority to build, close, or reassign commercial petroleum refineries, which are actually owned and operated by private energy companies. He should know better. Those decisions are for oil company executives, not presidents.

Nonetheless, here’s what Chris Wright said, according to interview transcripts.

On CNN: “The refining market has become very tight. President Joe Biden shut down over a dozen oil refineries in the United States.”

He also claimed that “California Governor, Gavin Newsom, closed two major refineries in his state within the prior 12 months.”

On CBS: “Under President Biden, we had over a dozen refineries closed in the United States, and Gavin Newsom doubled down and strangled two more refineries in California in the last 12 months.”

He also alluded to “Biden era refining restrictions” on ABC’s *This Week*, as well as FOX *News Sunday.*

While he made these claims to attack the Biden administration's energy policies and lay blame, the [Energy Information Administration (EIA)](https://www.instagram.com/reel/Dc9AkPOR5xG/?ref=nuff-sed.com) data contradicts the allegations. 

Check it out for yourself.

When Trump took office in 2016, there were 141 operating refineries in the U.S. When he left office in 2020, there were 129\. 

I guess these must be the 12 “refinery closures” Wright kept referring to. 

To add insult to injury, in Biden’s 4 years, oil companies actually undertook major investments to add more processing capability.

But Chris, I’m just going to call you out for your false accusations, and spare you from the upcoming *MAGA Stooge of the Week.* I’m reserving that for Tommy Tuberville.

NUFF SED!!!