National Energy Emergency (E.O. 14156)

Summary

Declares a national emergency to speed up the creation of energy projects and increase the country's energy supply to lower prices and protect national security.

What problem does this solve?

The United States does not produce enough energy to meet its needs, leading to high prices for consumers and making the country rely on other nations. This order directs government agencies to use emergency powers to quickly approve and build new energy projects, increasing the domestic energy supply.

What does this order do?

Declares a national emergency

States that the country's insufficient energy production is an unusual and extraordinary threat to the economy, national security, and foreign policy.

Speeds up energy project approvals

Orders all government agencies to use their emergency powers to fast-track the approval and construction of energy infrastructure projects, including on Federal lands.

Uses emergency rules to bypass environmental laws

Directs agencies to use emergency provisions in the Clean Water Act and Endangered Species Act to avoid normal review processes for energy projects.

Considers allowing year-round E15 gasoline sales

Tells the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to consider issuing emergency waivers to allow the sale of E15 gasoline all year to prevent fuel shortages.

Requires regular meetings to grant exemptions for endangered species

Orders the Endangered Species Act Committee to meet at least every three months to consider requests to exempt energy projects from rules that protect endangered species.

Requires a defense department review of energy weaknesses

Orders the Secretary of Defense to assess the military's ability to get the energy it needs and identify weaknesses in the nation's energy infrastructure.

Who does this affect?

Energy companies
American consumers
Environmental organizations

What is the real world impact?

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Lowers energy costs and boosts national security

Aims to increase the domestic energy supply to reduce prices for American families and businesses. By producing more energy at home, the country becomes less dependent on foreign nations, which strengthens national security.

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Reverses previous environmental policies

Directly criticizes the policies of the last administration. This order acts to undo previous energy and environmental rules to favor more fossil fuel production and development.

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Reduces environmental protections for faster project approval

Uses emergency powers to bypass or speed up environmental reviews required by laws like the Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act. This prioritizes energy development over environmental conservation, which may be opposed by conservation groups.

When does this start?

The order takes effect immediately on January 20, 2025, and sets several deadlines for federal agencies to take action.

Agency reports on emergency projects

Within 30 days, agencies must identify energy projects that can be fast-tracked using emergency provisions of the Clean Water Act and Endangered Species Act.

Defense Department energy assessment

Within 60 days, the Secretary of Defense must submit an assessment of the military's energy vulnerabilities.

Ongoing status reports

Every 30 days after their initial report, agencies must provide updates on the status of their fast-tracked energy projects for the duration of the emergency.

Endangered Species Act Committee meetings

The committee must meet at least quarterly to review applications for exemptions from the Endangered Species Act.