By: J. Michael Showalter , Samuel A. Rasche, Sarah L. Lode / ArentFox Schiff LLP
The Trump Administration is beginning to roll out its policy plans to “dominate” the global energy space. These plans tackle energy transition issues in a dramatically different manner than did the Biden Administration, particularly by leaning into fostering the development of resources, including fossil fuels, nuclear, and hydroelectric power that provide reliable “baseload” supply. This comes as no surprise given President Trump’s promise to “drill, baby, drill” at the inauguration.
We previously reported on the Trump Administration’s early plans for energy policy, and in the weeks since those plans are coming into sharper focus. Key policy blueprints include the following:
- A memorandum released by US Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Chris Wright on February 5 classified as a plan for “Unleashing the Golden Era of American Energy Dominance” and framing out DOE’s initial slate of actions.
- An executive order issued on February 14 establishing the “National Energy Dominance Council” to advise the president on ways to increase domestic energy production and take full advantage of the nation’s “amazing national assets” including oil, natural gas, biofuels, uranium and critical minerals, geothermal heat, and the “kinetic energy of moving water. The council is tasked with preparing a detailed report on the state of “energy dominance” to be prepared within 100 days.
The council will be made up of at least 17 cabinet members and other federal officials, and the US Secretary of the Interior will serve as the Council Chair. The executive order stresses the importance of energy dominance on national security, and the Energy Dominance Council chair will be given a seat on the National Security Council.
We break down the policy framework, which dovetails with the USEP Environmental Protection Agency’s priorities (summarized here), and accompanying context for the Trump Administration’s energy-related plans below. Highlights include:
- Streamlining government oversight.
- Renewing focus on fossil fuels like oil and natural gas in place of wind and solar.
- Prioritizing lowering the cost of energy to consumers instead of emissions reductions.
- Promoting nuclear technology.
- Preparing for increased energy demand.
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