Declaring a National Energy Emergency

Executive Order 14156, titled Declaring a National Energy Emergency, proclaims a national energy emergency under the National Emergencies Act and directs federal agencies to mobilize all available emergency authorities to secure and accelerate the United States’ energy production, transport, refining, and generation. The order frames energy insecurity as a national security and economic threat and sets out a broad, accelerated response. It envisions using urgent regulatory flexibilities, potential emergency waivers, and interagency coordination—potentially including actions under the Defense Production Act and, if necessary, eminent domain—to expand domestic energy resources and infrastructure. It also directs expedited permitting and more rapid consideration of energy projects, with special emphasis on reducing bottlenecks in the Northeast and West Coast, and it creates mechanisms to speed up environmental and wildlife regulatory processes only to the extent permitted by law. The order creates specific, time-bound tasks for agencies: identify and exercise emergency authorities to facilitate energy production and transport; consider year-round E15 gasoline waivers to address shortfalls; fast-track energy infrastructure and pipelines; use emergency provisions under the Army Corps of Engineers’ permitting programs; apply Endangered Species Act emergency consultation procedures; coordinate with the Department of Defense on energy security vulnerabilities and, if needed, invoke construction authorities under Title 10 to address those vulnerabilities. It also establishes reporting obligations to White House offices and ongoing interagency review, while clarifying that the order does not create new legal rights and is subject to existing law and appropriations.