Establishing the National Energy Dominance Council
This Presidential order establishes the National Energy Dominance Council within the Executive Office of the President.
The Council, chaired by the Secretary of the Interior, will advise the President on strategies to achieve energy dominance through increased domestic production and reduced reliance on foreign energy sources.
The order aims to drive down inflation, boost economic growth, create jobs, and enhance national security.
The Council is tasked with developing a national energy strategy, recommending policy changes, and coordinating across various federal agencies.
Arguments For
Increased Energy Independence: The council aims to reduce reliance on foreign energy sources, bolstering national security and economic stability.
Economic Growth and Job Creation: Expanding domestic energy production is expected to stimulate economic activity and create jobs across various sectors.
Lower Energy Costs: Increased competition and domestic production could lead to lower energy prices for consumers and businesses.
Technological Advancement: The focus on innovation could spur advancements in energy technologies, benefitting the US's global competitiveness.
Environmental Protection: The order mentions preserving and protecting natural resources during energy production.
Arguments Against
Environmental Impact: Increased energy production, particularly fossil fuels, could exacerbate climate change and harm sensitive ecosystems.
Regulatory Barriers: Streamlining regulations might lead to reduced environmental and worker safety protections.
Economic Inequality: Benefits from energy production may not be equitably distributed, potentially widening the gap between rich and poor.
National Security Risks: Focusing heavily on domestic energy may lead to neglecting the development of renewable or more diverse energy sources, leaving the country vulnerable to future supply shocks.
International Relations: An overly aggressive pursuit of energy dominance could strain relations with other countries.
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered:
Section 1. Policy. America is blessed with an abundance of natural resources and is a leader in energy technologies and innovation that are critical to the economic prosperity and national security of the American people, as well as our partners and allies. We must expand all forms of reliable and affordable energy production to drive down inflation, grow our economy, create good-paying jobs, reestablish American leadership in manufacturing, lead the world in artificial intelligence, and restore peace through strength by wielding our commercial and diplomatic levers to end wars across the world. By utilizing our amazing national assets, including our crude oil, natural gas, lease condensates, natural gas liquids, refined petroleum products, uranium, coal, biofuels, geothermal heat, the kinetic movement of flowing water, and critical minerals, we will preserve and protect our most beautiful places, reduce our dependency on foreign imports, and grow our economy — thereby enabling the reduction of our deficits and our debt. It shall be the policy of my Administration to make America energy dominant.
This section establishes the overarching policy goal of making America energy dominant.
It emphasizes the importance of expanding all forms of reliable and affordable energy production to improve the economy, create jobs, and enhance national security.
It also highlights the intention to utilize domestic resources, reduce foreign dependence, and address national debt.
Sec. 2. Establishment. There is hereby established within the Executive Office of the President the National Energy Dominance Council (Council).
This section formally creates the National Energy Dominance Council (Council) within the Executive Office of the President.
Sec. 3. Membership. (a) The Secretary of the Interior shall serve as Chair of the Council. The Secretary of Energy shall serve as Vice Chair of the Council. (b) In addition to the Chair and the Vice Chair, the Council shall consist of the following members: (i) the Secretary of State; (ii) the Secretary of the Treasury; (iii) the Secretary of Defense; (iv) the Attorney General; (v) the Secretary of Agriculture; (vi) the Secretary of Commerce; (vii) the Secretary of Transportation; (viii) the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency; (ix) the Director of the Office of Management and Budget; (x) the United States Trade Representative; (xi) the Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy; (xii) the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy; (xiii) the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs; (xiv) the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy; (xv) the Chairman of the Council on Environmental Quality; (xvi) the Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers; (xvii) the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy; and (xviii) the heads of such other executive departments and agencies (agencies) as the President may, from time to time, designate.
This section outlines the Council's membership.
The Secretary of the Interior serves as Chair, the Secretary of Energy as Vice Chair.
The Council includes numerous high-ranking officials from various executive departments and agencies, reflecting the broad scope of energy policy.
Sec. 4. Functions. (a) The Chair shall convene and preside over meetings of the Council, in consultation with the Office of the Chief of Staff, provided that in his absence the Vice Chair shall preside. (b) The Council shall: (i) advise the President on how best to exercise his authority to produce more energy to make America energy dominant; (ii) advise the President on improving the processes for permitting, production, generation, distribution, regulation, transportation, and export of all forms of American energy, including critical minerals; (iii) provide to the President a recommended National Energy Dominance Strategy to produce more energy that includes long-range goals for achieving energy dominance by cutting red tape, enhancing private sector investments across all sectors of the energy-producing economy, focusing on innovation, and seeking to eliminate longstanding, but unnecessary, regulation; (iv) advise and assist the President in facilitating cooperation among the Federal Government and domestic private sector energy partners; and (v) advise the President on facilitating consistency in energy production policies included in the Strategy developed under subsection (b)(iii) of this section. (c) In performing the advisory functions listed under subsection (b) of this section, the Council, through the Chair, shall, when appropriate, coordinate with the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy, the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy, and the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs. The functions of the Council shall report to the Office of the Chief of Staff. (d) Within 100 days of the date of this order, and from time to time thereafter as deemed appropriate by the Chair, the Council shall: (i) recommend to the President a plan to raise awareness on a national level of matters related to energy dominance, such as the urgency of reliable energy; the improvements in technology achieved through reliable energy sources; the national security concerns with removing reliable and affordable energy sources; the jobs supported by the energy sector; and the regulatory constraints driving up the cost of reliable energy to consumers; (ii) advise the President regarding the actions each agency can take under existing authorities to prioritize the policy objective of increasing energy production, such as rapidly and significantly increasing electricity capacity; rapidly facilitating approvals for energy infrastructure; approving the construction of natural gas pipelines to, or in, New England, California, Alaska, and other areas of the country underserved by American natural gas; facilitating the reopening of closed power plants; and bringing Small Modular Nuclear Reactors online; (iii) provide to the President a review of markets most critical to power American homes, cars, and factories with reliable, abundant, and affordable energy; (iv) advise the President regarding incentives to attract and retain private sector energy-production investments; (v) advise the President on identifying and ending practices that raise the cost of energy; and (vi) consult with officials from State, local, and Tribal governments and individuals from the private sector to solicit feedback on how best to expand all forms of energy production.
This section details the Council's responsibilities.
The Council will advise the President on energy policy, develop a national energy strategy, and coordinate with other government agencies and the private sector.
Specific tasks include recommending awareness campaigns, identifying regulatory obstacles, and suggesting ways to improve energy infrastructure.
The Council's work will be reported to the Office of the Chief of Staff.
Sec. 5. Administration. (a) The Council shall have such staff and other assistance as may be necessary to carry out its functions. (b) Agencies shall cooperate with the Council and provide such assistance, information, and advice to the Council related to policies that affect energy dominance as the Chair or, at the Chair’s direction, the Vice Chair, shall reasonably request, to the extent permitted by law.
This section addresses the administrative aspects of the Council's operation.
It ensures the Council will have the necessary staff and support and mandates cooperation from other agencies to provide information and assistance.
Sec. 6. Representation on the National Security Council. The Secretary of the Interior, as Chair of the Council, shall serve as a standing member of the National Security Council.
This section grants the Secretary of the Interior, in their role as Council Chair, a permanent seat on the National Security Council, highlighting the critical national security implications of energy policy.
Sec. 7. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect: (i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or (ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals. (b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations. (c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
THE WHITE HOUSE, February 14, 2025.
This section includes standard legal clauses.
Subsection (a) clarifies that the order does not override existing legal authority.
Subsection (b) states the order's implementation depends on available funding.
Subsection (c) is a standard disclaimer stating the order does not create legally enforceable rights.