US renews threat to withdraw from IEA

- Power

- 1 min read

US renews threat to withdraw from IEA

Energy Secretary Chris Wright stated that reforms are necessary for continued US membership, ahead of an IEA ministerial meeting. This follows criticism from Republican lawmakers regarding the agency's climate-focused long-term scenarios.

- Published On Feb 19, 2026 at 11:00 AM IST

The US renewed threats to quit the International Energy Agency unless the organisation scales back climate advocacy and focuses on energy security.

“We’re definitely not satisfied,” US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said Tuesday, ahead of an IEA ministerial meeting opening Wednesday. The agency must complete reforms “for the US to remain a long-term member,” he said.

The Paris-based agency, which was established in response to the 1970s oil crisis, has faced criticism in recent years for the publication of long-term scenarios which factor in more active government policies to shift away from fossil fuels. Republican lawmakers last year sought to cut US funding and denounced the agency for politicising its projections.

The IEA didn’t immediately comment on the US official’s remarks, though confirmed Executive Director Fatih Birol and Wright met Tuesday to discuss energy issues, including a clean cooking fuel initiative.

“We’re definitely not satisfied,” US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said Tuesday, ahead of an IEA ministerial meeting opening Wednesday. The agency must complete reforms “for the US to remain a long-term member,” he said.

The Paris-based agency, which was established in response to the 1970s oil crisis, has faced criticism in recent years for the publication of long-term scenarios which factor in more active government policies to shift away from fossil fuels. Republican lawmakers last year sought to cut US funding and denounced the agency for politicising its projections.

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- Published On Feb 19, 2026 at 11:00 AM IST

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