in effect
This is Executive Order 14156, signed January 20, 2025, in which the President formally declares a national energy emergency under the National Emergencies Act. It directs federal departments and agencies to use emergency and other legal powers to speed up the identification, leasing, production, transportation, refining, and generation of domestic energy and critical minerals.
Agencies are told to invoke any lawful emergency authorities to fast-track energy projects, and to flag to the President any cases where they believe eminent domain or the Defense Production Act should be used. The EPA is directed to consider issuing waivers allowing year-round sale of E15 gasoline. Within 30 days, agencies must inventory energy projects that could qualify for expedited “emergency” permitting under Clean Water Act/Army Corps rules and for emergency consultation under Endangered Species Act rules, then file status updates at least every 30 days for as long as the emergency lasts. The order also instructs the Interior Secretary to convene the Endangered Species Act Committee at least quarterly (with a 20-day initial review and 140-day resolution target), requires a Defense Department assessment of energy vulnerabilities within 60 days, and invokes military construction authority under Section 2808 of Title 10. For this order, “energy” is defined to include crude oil, natural gas, refined petroleum products, uranium, coal, biofuels, geothermal, hydropower, and critical minerals—but not solar or wind.
Federal agencies—including EPA, Interior, Commerce, Defense, the Army Corps of Engineers, and OMB—carry new reporting duties and are directed to lean on emergency authorities. Energy and mineral developers, utilities, and permit applicants could see faster federal approvals, with particular attention given to the Northeast, West Coast, and Alaska. The order states it creates no legal rights enforceable against the government and must be carried out consistent with existing law and available funding.