The Trump administration has pressured Powell, whose term as Fed chair expires next year, to step down as chair of the central bank.

Chevron CEO Mike Wirth said the "genuine hope to transition to a carbon free economy very rapidly" made people forget "why the energy system we have today is in place."

The conference comes as the Trump administration pushes for a complete overhaul at the Fed, both of its policy decisions as well as its policymakers.