Accomplishments Under Trump's National Energy Emergency Declaration
- Bob Kelly
- Jun 26
- 6 min read
BARSTOW, Calif., June 26, 2025 -- On his first day back in office, President Donald Trump declared a National Energy Emergency, an executive order designed to speed up energy projects across the U.S. This policy prioritizes traditional energy sources—fossil fuels (oil, gas, and coal), hydroelectric, and nuclear—over renewables like wind, solar, and crop-based fuels. The administration aims to boost energy independence and address what it calls an "inadequate energy supply." Below, we explore key achievements under this declaration, supported by specific examples and visuals, while noting ongoing criticisms.
Surge in Oil and Gas Drilling Permits
The declaration has unleashed a wave of oil and gas drilling permits, with approvals now happening 44% faster than under the Biden administration. This cuts through red tape, turning years-long waits into approvals within months. Here are two standout examples:
North Slope Projects (Alaska): The Pikka and Willow projects are projected to increase North Slope production by 30%. Willow was approved in just three months, a process that typically spans years. It’s set to tap vast reserves in the North Slope.
Keystone XL Pipeline Extension: Revived after years of delays, permits were issued in six weeks, pushing forward a critical piece of energy infrastructure.
Revival of Offshore Drilling
There have been significant developments in offshore drilling under President Trump's National Energy Emergency declaration. Below is a detailed overview of the key actions taken since the declaration:
Expansion of Offshore Lease Sales: The Department of the Interior, led by Secretary Doug Burgum, has introduced a new schedule for offshore oil and gas lease sales on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). Announced in March 2025, this initiative aims to make lease sales more regular and predictable, reversing prior withdrawals of OCS areas from leasing. The goal is to sustain and increase domestic energy production.
New Five-Year Leasing Program: In April 2025, the Interior Department began soliciting public input for a new five-year offshore oil and gas leasing program. This program may open new drilling zones, including areas in the Arctic, aligning with the administration’s strategy to maximize energy development and reduce dependence on foreign energy sources.
Emergency Permitting Procedures: The administration has implemented emergency permitting processes to expedite the development of domestic energy resources. These procedures streamline approvals for offshore drilling projects, reducing regulatory hurdles and accelerating access to offshore areas.
Reversal of Drilling Restrictions: President Trump signed an executive order reversing previous restrictions on oil and gas exploration in Alaska, including the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). This move has made previously protected regions available for drilling, though it has triggered legal challenges from environmental groups concerned about ecological consequences.
Broader Energy Strategy Context: These offshore drilling efforts are part of a larger agenda to enhance fossil fuel production, achieve energy independence, and lower energy costs for consumers. Supporters highlight potential economic growth and job creation, while critics raise concerns about environmental risks and the need to shift toward renewable energy.
These developments underscore the Trump administration’s commitment to expanding offshore drilling as a cornerstone of its energy dominance vision. However, they remain controversial, with ongoing legal and environmental opposition likely to shape their future implementation.
Support for the Nuclear Industry
The Trump administration is also bolstering the nuclear industry. A prime example is the approval of a new uranium mine in Utah, greenlit in an astonishing two weeks. Normally, such approvals drag on for years due to environmental and regulatory hurdles. This mine will ramp up domestic uranium production, strengthening the nuclear fuel supply chain and reducing dependence on foreign imports. It’s a clear sign of the administration’s commitment to diversifying energy sources beyond fossil fuels.
Sustaining Traditional Energy Infrastructure
To meet rising energy demands, the declaration has extended the life of aging fossil fuel power plants and preserved key hydroelectric infrastructure:
Eddystone Oil and Gas Plant (Pennsylvania): Ordered to stay operational through the summer, this plant helps prevent blackouts in the mid-Atlantic grid.
J.H. Campbell Coal Plant (Michigan): Granted an extension despite a planned shutdown, ensuring steady power for the region.
Snake River Dams (Washington): In a move affecting Washington state, the administration cancelled efforts to remove three dams on the Snake River, citing the importance of hydroelectric power as a reliable energy source. This decision preserves a critical component of the Northwest’s energy grid.
These actions prioritize reliability over retirement, though they’ve sparked environmental backlash.
Redirecting Resources to Traditional Energy
Energy Secretary Chris Wright has canceled billions in clean energy grants, redirecting those funds and other resources to traditional energy projects—fossil fuels, hydroelectric, and nuclear. This "redirection" includes:
Grant Money: Funds once earmarked for renewable energy research and deployment are now fueling traditional energy infrastructure and exploration.
Regulatory Efforts: The Department of Energy is easing restrictions and fast-tracking permits for traditional energy companies, shifting focus away from clean energy initiatives.
This aligns with Trump’s energy dominance vision, prioritizing traditional energy for economic and security gains, though it marks a sharp departure from climate-focused policies.
Deregulatory Impacts on Renewable Fuels
For businesses in the biodiesel and renewable diesel industries, the administration’s deregulatory agenda introduces both opportunities and challenges. The focus on traditional energy could reduce support for renewables, including the Renewable Nevesel Standard (RFS) and its Renewable Identification Number (RIN) credits, which incentivize biofuel production. The administration has proposed new RFS volume requirements for 2026 and 2027, aiming to boost domestic biofuels, but it also lowers the value of RIN credits for imported renewable fuels, favoring American-grown sources. This shift could squeeze businesses relying on global supply chains while benefiting those with domestic innovation.
Separately, a lawsuit advancing against California’s Air Resources Board (CARB) threatens to dismantle stringent environmental regulations, including those tied to renewable fuels. If successful, this could upend CARB’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard, a benchmark for the nation, impacting businesses in California’s renewable diesel market.
California’s Unique Energy Landscape
California stands out due to its ambitious climate goals, heavy reliance on imported biofuels, and recent refinery closures. The state consumes huge amounts of foreign biofuels to meet its Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) requirements. The administration’s proposal to lower the value of RIN credits for imported biofuels could make these fuels less competitive, potentially drying up supply sources. This might force California to:
Ramp Up Domestic Production: Increased local biofuel production could benefit California producers but might strain resources like land and water.
Face Higher Fuel Prices: A tighter supply of biofuels could drive up costs for consumers and businesses.
Adjust Its Fuel Mix: The state might lean more on other low-carbon fuels or, in the short term, fossil fuels to fill the gap.
Worsen Fuel Shortages: With oil refineries already closing, reduced biofuel imports could push California closer to a fuel shortage, requiring more imports of refined products or alternative solutions.
Criticisms and Legal Pushback
The declaration isn’t without controversy. Fifteen Democratic states have filed lawsuits, arguing there’s no true emergency—U.S. oil and gas production is already at record highs—and that skipping environmental reviews is illegal. Environmentalists warn of pollution and habitat loss from fast-tracked fossil fuel projects, specifically oil drilling and pipeline construction, which can fragment ecosystems and displace wildlife. These legal challenges could derail the policy’s momentum.
The Trump administration counters these criticisms of the emergency declaration by asserting that energy independence and economic growth outweigh environmental risks. They argue that the declaration addresses a critical need for reliable energy to prevent shortages, pointing to economic benefits like job creation and reduced reliance on foreign energy. On habitat loss, they’ve suggested mitigation measures—such as wildlife monitoring or habitat restoration—though detailed plans remain scarce, drawing skepticism from critics. Additionally, they point to the environmental trade-offs of renewable projects like wind farms, which some environmentalists oppose due to land use demands, habitat fragmentation, and wildlife impacts (e.g., bird and bat collisions), suggesting that traditional energy projects are not uniquely problematic.
Conclusion
The National Energy Emergency declaration has delivered results: faster drilling permits, a new uranium mine in record time, sustained power plants and hydroelectric dams, and a pivot to traditional energy. For supporters, it’s a win for energy independence. For critics, it’s a reckless rollback of environmental protections. As lawsuits unfold, the policy’s future—and its impact on innovative renewable fuel businesses—remains uncertain.
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