"Trump Plans To Declare A 'National Energy Emergency.' What Does That Mean?"

"President Trump says he will declare a "national energy emergency" as one of his first acts as president, pledging to support the domestic production of fossil fuels.

"We will drill, baby, drill," he said during his inauguration speech. "We will be a rich nation again and it is the liquid gold under our feet that will help us do it."

Declaring an energy emergency would be a first for the federal government, and it's unclear what exactly it would entail. Here's what we know about the unprecedented action.

In a call with reporters on Monday, a Trump administration official speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss upcoming actions said the "national energy emergency will unlock a variety of different authorities that will enable our nation to quickly build again, to produce coal and natural resources, to create jobs, to create prosperity, and to strengthen our nation's national security.""

Camila Domonoske reports for NPR January 20, 2025.

SEE ALSO:

"Trump to Declare National Energy Emergency, Unlocking New Powers" (Bloomberg)

"Trump Signs Orders to Promote Fossil Fuels and End Climate Policies" (New York Times)

 

Source: NPR, 01/21/2025