Days into the start of his second term, President Donald Trump issued a myriad of significant executive orders that may drastically impact energy policy within the United States.
Executive Order 14154 focused on utilizing the natural resources within the United States[1]. Through this executive order, federal agencies must focus on the development of domestic energy resources, including fossil fuels, nuclear, and geothermal energy. More specifically, this order eliminates the legal barriers to enhance energy production and lower costs for consumers. Additionally, this order eliminates the electric vehicle mandates that were put in place by the Biden administration.
Through Executive Order 14159 a national energy emergency was declared. President Trump utilized emergency powers to tackle energy supply challenges and enhance energy independence. The order seeks to leverage both domestic energy resources and international partnerships to generate jobs, improve the energy trade balance, and protect the U.S. from potential threats. Of note, the energy resources include crude oil, natural gas, lease condensates, natural gas liquids, refined petroleum products, uranium, coal, biofuels, geothermal heat, hydropower, and critical minerals, but explicitly excludes solar and wind resources.
The executive order titled “Unleashing Alaska’s Extraordinary Resource Potential” aims to unlock Alaska’s vast energy resources, including oil and gas, by simplifying permitting procedures and promoting exploration within the region[2].
In Executive Order 14162 “Putting America First in International Environmental Agreements”, President Trump withdrew the United States from the Paris Agreement[3]. President Trump stated that it is the “policy of (my) Administration to put the interests of the United States and the American people first in the development and negotiation of any international agreements with the potential to damage or stifle the American economy.” Overall, this order signaled a shift away from international climate commitments and a desire to prioritize energy production within the United States.
President Trump issued the Offshore Wind Leasing Moratorium. This memorandum temporarily withdraws all areas on the Outer Continental Shelf from offshore wind leasing[5]. It is evident that this action reflects a shift in focus towards traditional energy sources and away from renewable energy projects in offshore areas.
President Trump has also indicated interest in potentially redrawing the boundaries of national monuments to “facilitate energy development”[4]. This proposal seeks to ease energy development by reconsidering the designation of certain national monuments, such as Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante in Utah, which are known for their abundant natural resources. Conservation groups have signaled alarms about the potential downsizing of these protected areas.
The intent of these executive orders signifies a shift towards boosting energy production within the United States, easing regulatory barriers, and placing greater emphasis on traditional energy sources rather than renewable alternatives, however, with many of them already facing legal challenge, it is still unclear what significant changes will be seen industry-wide.
[1]Unleashing American Energy (The White House, 2025).
[2] Unleashing Alaska’s Extraordinary Resource Potential (The White House, 2025).
[3] Putting America First in International Environmental Agreements (The White House, 2025).
[4] Trump Administration will consider redrawing boundaries of national monuments as part of energy push (AP News, 2025).
[5]New executive orders mandate sweeping changes to US energy policy (Wright, 2025).
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