On Tuesday, Feb. 25, three weeks after his swearing-in, Secretary of Energy Chris Wright visited Sandia to address staff, tour the Labs, meet with leadership and receive briefings on various programs and their contributions to national security.

During his visit, Wright praised the critical research and work being done at Sandia. “I want to start with a huge thank you for the tremendously important research you do and work you do in maintaining our stockpile, modernizing our nuclear weapons stockpile and of course, the work in computation, cyber and AI,” Wright said in an address to the Labs’ workforce, recorded from Sandia’s 75th anniversary exhibit at the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History.

After the address, Wright answered media questions during a news conference at the museum, then moved to the Weapons Integration Facility, where Labs Director James Peery and Deputy Labs Director Laura McGill provided an overview of Sandia and its nuclear deterrence programs.

Wright also visited the Microsystems Engineering, Science and Applications facility, then spoke with Labs program directors on cyber counterfeit detection, the satellite mission program and energy initiatives. After lunch, he toured the Z machine and received briefings on hypersonics and future nuclear deterrence strategies.

During the news conference, Wright shared his enthusiasm for AI and energy research and emphasized the significance of the work conducted at Sandia and other national laboratories.

“We need to grow our electricity production from sources all over the map. We need to keep the grid reliable, push prices down and give greater opportunities for Americans,” he said. “I’m proud and thrilled to be partners with President Trump in trying to better energize America and expand opportunities for Americans.”