President-elect Donald Trump is preparing to invoke emergency powers as part of a sweeping plan to bolster domestic energy production and dismantle key climate change policies implemented by President Joe Biden. The move, expected to be announced hours after Trump’s inauguration on Monday, marks a dramatic pivot in U.S. energy policy, with profound implications for the fossil fuel industry and environmental regulation.
Sources familiar with the plan have revealed that Trump will leverage emergency authorities to accelerate oil and gas development on federal lands, lift restrictions on energy exports, and dismantle Biden-era climate regulations. The declaration, billed as a “national energy emergency,” aims to address rising energy demands driven by rapid advancements in artificial intelligence and infrastructure needs.
An ambitious energy agenda
Trump’s campaign pledges to prioritise energy independence and economic growth have taken centre stage in his proposed agenda. “We’re going to use our emergency powers to allow countries and entrepreneurs to build massive energy plants,” Trump said during a rally at the Capital One Arena on Sunday. “We need double the energy we have now—and soon it’ll be even more.”
The president-elect’s actions are expected to touch virtually every corner of the U.S. energy sector, from oilfields to car dealerships. By rolling back federal incentives for electric vehicles and easing pollution regulations, Trump intends to reorient federal policy to favour fossil fuels over renewable energy sources.
Emergency powers in action
Declaring a national emergency would grant Trump access to more than 150 special powers, originally designed to address crises such as natural disasters or security threats. While the exact mechanisms for Trump’s energy emergency remain unclear, potential measures could include overriding state regulations on energy projects, streamlining approvals for new oil and gas infrastructure, and incentivising coal and nuclear power generation.
Mark P. Nevitt, an associate professor at Emory University School of Law, noted that the definition of “emergency” is broad under U.S. law, potentially giving Trump wide latitude to enact his agenda. However, past attempts to invoke emergency powers for energy projects have faced legal and logistical challenges.
For example, during his first term, Trump sought to use the Federal Power Act to prevent the closure of unprofitable coal and nuclear plants, but the effort was ultimately abandoned. Similarly, efforts to reverse protections for Arctic waters during his earlier presidency were blocked by federal courts.
Climate emergency reversed
Trump’s move represents a stark reversal of the approach advocated by environmentalists, who have long called for a climate emergency declaration. Biden used similar emergency powers to promote renewable energy technologies, including solar panels and heat pumps, under the Defense Production Act. Now, Trump’s plans threaten to undo those initiatives, sparking a potential legal battle over the limits of executive authority.
Environmental groups and some Democratic lawmakers have warned that Trump’s actions could have dire consequences for global climate efforts. “Declaring an energy emergency to prop up fossil fuels is reckless and shortsighted,” said one environmental advocate.
Controversial policy shifts
Among the expected actions is the reversal of Biden’s moratorium on new licenses for exporting liquefied natural gas (LNG). Trump is also poised to lift restrictions on oil and gas leasing in over 600 million acres of U.S. waters, a move that has already drawn fierce opposition from environmentalists and legal challenges from coastal states.
In addition, Trump plans to scrap Biden-era vehicle pollution standards, which he has criticised as an “electric vehicle (EV) mandate.” These rollbacks are expected to benefit the traditional automotive industry while slowing the adoption of electric vehicles.
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Legal and economic implications
Trump’s bold energy agenda will likely face significant hurdles in court. Critics argue that many of his planned actions, such as reversing environmental protections and reinstating fossil fuel subsidies, lack clear legal justification.
Nevertheless, Trump’s supporters in the energy industry have welcomed the proposed measures as necessary for economic growth and energy security. “This is a long-overdue correction to the regulatory overreach we’ve seen in recent years,” said an industry spokesperson.
Looking ahead
As Trump prepares to take office, his energy policies signal a dramatic shift in U.S. priorities, favouring fossil fuels and traditional energy sources over climate change mitigation and renewable energy. The potential for economic growth will be weighed against the environmental and legal challenges that are certain to follow.
For now, the declaration of a national energy emergency sets the stage for a contentious debate over the future of energy policy in America.
