Unleashing American Energy (E.O. 14154)

Summary

Aims to increase U.S. energy production by removing rules that limit oil, gas, and coal development and ending support for electric vehicles.

What problem does this solve?

Current rules make energy too expensive and limit the development of America's natural resources. This order removes those rules to lower energy costs, create jobs, and make the country more secure.

What does this order do?

Revokes numerous climate-related executive orders

Cancels twelve previous executive orders that were created to address climate change, protect public health, and promote environmental justice.

Pauses funding for green energy projects

Immediately stops all government agencies from spending money from the Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act until a review is completed.

Ends the 'Electric Vehicle (EV) Mandate'

Establishes a policy to remove regulations and unfair subsidies that favor electric vehicles in order to promote consumer choice for all types of cars.

Speeds up the energy permitting process

Directs agencies to make the process for getting permits for energy projects faster and simpler by changing environmental review rules and removing delays.

Eliminates the 'Social Cost of Carbon' calculation

Disbands the group responsible for calculating the economic costs of greenhouse gas emissions and withdraws all guidance related to it, calling the method flawed.

Terminates the American Climate Corps

Immediately ends all activities and programs associated with the American Climate Corps, a program focused on conservation and climate resilience jobs.

Promotes mining for critical minerals

Requires government agencies to identify and remove rules that burden the domestic mining of minerals like rare earths and uranium to strengthen U.S. supply chains.

Restarts reviews for liquified natural gas (LNG) exports

Directs the Secretary of Energy to quickly restart the review process for applications to export liquified natural gas to other countries.

Who does this affect?

Energy companies (oil, gas, coal, and mining)
Renewable energy industry
American consumers

What is the real world impact?

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Weakens environmental protections

Removes many environmental rules and climate-focused policies to speed up the approval process for energy projects. Critics argue this could harm the environment by reducing oversight and ignoring the long-term costs of pollution.

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Prioritizes fossil fuels over clean energy

Reverses policies that support clean energy and electric vehicles by pausing funds from the Inflation Reduction Act and revoking executive orders aimed at fighting climate change. This shifts focus back to traditional energy sources.

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Boosts the U.S. economy and national security

Promotes the production of domestic energy like oil, gas, and coal to lower costs for consumers, create jobs, and reduce reliance on other countries for energy, which strengthens national security.

When does this start?

This order takes effect immediately on January 20, 2025, and includes several deadlines for government agencies to take action.

Termination of American Climate Corps Agreement

Within one day, the Secretary of the Interior must send a letter to terminate the American Climate Corps agreement.

Action Plans for Removing Regulations

Within 30 days, all agency heads must create and start plans to suspend, change, or remove burdensome energy regulations.

New Guidance on Environmental Reviews

Within 30 days, the Council on Environmental Quality must provide new guidance on how to implement the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

Guidance on 'Social Cost of Carbon'

Within 60 days, the EPA must issue guidance on how to address problems with the 'social cost of carbon' calculation, including possibly eliminating it.

Report on Paused Green Energy Funds

Within 90 days, all agency heads must submit a report on their review of funds from the Inflation Reduction Act and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.