During President Donald Trump’s inaugural address, he unveiled plans to declare a national energy emergency, and emphasized his administration’s intent to prioritize domestic fossil fuel production. The declaration of a national energy emergency, if implemented, would grant the president additional executive powers, including the ability to suspend certain environmental regulations.
“The inflation crisis was caused by massive overspending and escalating energy prices, and that is why today I will also declare a national energy emergency,” Trump said. “We will drill, baby, drill.”
While no president has ever declared a “national energy emergency,” there is historical precedent for regional energy emergencies. In the 1970s, during a period of fossil fuel shortages, then-President Jimmy Carter allowed state governors to temporarily lift certain environmental regulations. However, Carter urged state government leaders to use this authority sparingly and only as a “last resort.”
Unlike the circumstances of the 1970s, the U.S. today is a net exporter of fossil fuels, with oil and gas production at record levels. Despite this, Trump has expressed a desire to expand drilling and roll back federal regulations, aiming to encourage further growth in the oil industry.
Through the promotion of increased oil production, the president has pledged to lower energy costs. However, experts suggest that the 50% reduction in prices he discussed on the campaign trail may be challenging to achieve.
Trump could also use emergency powers to keep certain gas-fired and coal power plants operational, particularly those slated for closure due to environmental or economic considerations. Details on the administration’s next steps regarding this national energy emergency remain unclear, but such a declaration, if it happens, could mark a significant shift in U.S. energy policy.
