President-elect Donald Trump plans to declare a national energy emergency to enhance American energy production and reduce energy costs, according to an incoming administration official. The soon-to-be 47th president will sign a series of executive orders shortly after his inauguration to accelerate domestic energy development.
“The rationale for this national energy emergency is that high costs of energy are unnecessary. They are by design. It is a cause of policy. We can address that,” the official explained to reporters ahead of Monday’s inauguration.
The Trump administration’s move contrasts sharply with outgoing President Joe Biden’s policies, which included multiple national emergency declarations and the use of the Defense Production Act to expand green energy initiatives. Trump’s executive orders will focus on increasing the production of critical minerals essential for manufacturing batteries and high-tech products, reducing dependence on foreign nations like China.
“Critical minerals are so crucial to our national security,” the official added. “They are the building blocks of so much of our technology, and that’s incorporated within the definition of energy here and energy abundance and the natural resources that these executive orders will unlock again.”
The incoming administration plans to dismantle Biden-era policies aimed at advancing green energy and moving away from fossil fuels. This includes reversing vehicle fuel economy standards and energy efficiency mandates on household goods such as gas stoves and dishwashers.
One of the Biden administration’s key proposals sought to ensure that most new vehicles sold in the U.S. by 2032 would be electric or hybrid. Trump’s actions will aim to maintain a diverse energy landscape, with a focus on lowering gasoline prices during his first year in office.
“The president is taking these actions as soon as possible here on day one so that we can lower prices as soon as possible for the American people,” the official remarked.
Trump’s energy strategy also seeks to counter arguments from Democrats like Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), who have framed the situation as a clean energy “arms race” with China. Wyden highlighted that China plans to construct 100 new coal plants and 10 nuclear plants this year, emphasizing the continued global reliance on fossil fuels and nuclear energy.
“There is not a clean energy race; there is an energy race,” Wyden said. “China’s actions highlight the need for America to remain competitive in traditional energy sectors.”
As the Trump administration prioritizes energy independence and affordability, these initial executive orders signal a decisive shift from the green energy policies of the previous administration. By fostering domestic production of critical resources and rolling back regulatory burdens, Trump aims to position the U.S. as a global energy leader while delivering immediate economic relief to American households.
