President Donald Trump has made a decisive move on energy policy during his first hours back in office. He has issued a series of executive orders aimed at boosting fossil fuel production and reversing U.S. commitments to combat climate change. His actions signal a significant shift in national energy strategy, prioritizing domestic energy production and economic growth over environmental considerations.
Trump's agenda includes maximizing the production of natural resources in Alaska and revoking the ban on oil and gas drilling in most U.S. coastal waters. Emphasizing the urgency of his policies, Trump declared a national energy emergency, citing a "precariously inadequate and intermittent energy supply, and an increasingly unreliable grid" as threats to national security. This declaration empowers federal agencies to utilize any lawful emergency authorities to facilitate domestic energy production, transportation, refining, and generation.
The U.S. has maintained its position as the world's largest oil and gas producer for years. However, Trump appears determined to further solidify this status.
"Solidify the United States as a global energy leader long into the future," President Donald Trump stated, underscoring his vision for the nation's energy dominance.
In a move to expedite natural gas ventures, Trump directed the energy secretary to swiftly review new liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects. He also reversed the Biden administration's pause on new LNG export facilities, aiming to bolster the nation's capacity to export its natural resources.
Despite these aggressive measures, major industry players remain cautious. The CEOs of Exxon and Chevron have indicated that oil and gas production levels depend heavily on market conditions and are unlikely to alter significantly in response to Trump's drive to "drill, baby, drill."
In addition to fossil fuels, Trump targeted renewable energy sources. He issued an executive order targeting wind energy and instructed all federal agencies to immediately halt the disbursement of funds under the Inflation Reduction Act—a Biden-era law designed to support clean energy initiatives. Furthermore, he commenced proceedings to withdraw the United States from the Paris climate agreement, marking a stark departure from international climate commitments.
Trump also scrapped several ambitious targets set by the Biden administration. These included goals for half of new car sales to be electric vehicles, achieving a carbon pollution-free electric grid, and reaching net-zero emissions across the economy.
However, Trump's executive orders face potential legal hurdles. A federal court previously struck down a similar order during his first term, which sought to overturn President Barack Obama's decision to protect waters in the Arctic and Atlantic.