Trump to Declare National Energy Emergency, Sign Alaska Executive Order

Former President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump gestures as he speaks during a campaign rally at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Mich., on Nov. 5, 2024. Kamil Krzaczynski/AFP via Getty Images

President-elect Donald Trump will sign “close to 100” executive orders in the hours after taking office, including the declaration of “a national energy emergency” with an “Unleash American Energy” executive order and a corresponding slate of policy directives and actions designed to animate his “drill baby drill” energy agenda.

During a call, a White House official confirmed Trump would declare a national energy emergency because “the high costs of energy are unnecessary.”

“They are by design. It is a cause of policy. We can address that,” the official said.

The official said the “overall theme” of Trump’s “Unleash American Energy” executive order is national security. The urgency of an executive order “is crucial because we are in an AI race with China, and our ability to produce domestic American energy is so crucial such that we can generate the electricity and power that’s needed to stay at the global forefront of technology, that national energy will unlock,” the official said.

In addition to cutting red tape and regulations, this executive order will end the electric vehicle mandate.

When returning to the Oval Office, the 47th president will likely issue an executive order specifically targeting Alaska, a state rich in natural resources and a crucial component of America’s national security.

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy requested in November 2024 to expand fossil fuel development in Alaska’s 23 million-acre National Petroleum Reserve and 19.6 million-acre Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to “make both Alaska and America great again.”

Trump will direct the Department of Interior to restore oil and gas leasing availability to 13,000 acres of the National Petroleum Reserve and adhere to federal law in expanding Arctic National Wildlife Refuge leasing, reversing President Joe Biden’s orders that reversed Trump’s first-term orders.

“It’s a crucial place on which we could export LNG [liquefied natural gas], not only to our United States but through our friends and allies in the Asia Pacific region,” the official said.

Trump is also set to sign a national energy emergency, enabling the country to quickly boost its oil and gas output.

According to a White House official, this executive decision will help lower the high energy costs, produce more natural resources, and create jobs.

The national energy emergency will also be implemented to strengthen national security and keep up with China in the artificial intelligence race.

“Our ability to produce domestic American energy is so crucial that we can generate the electricity and power that’s needed to stay at the global forefront of technology,” the official said.

White House officials did not provide a specific oil price target but noted that increased domestic production will eventually bring down prices.

West Texas Intermediate, the U.S. benchmark for crude oil prices, is trading at around $77 per barrel. Four years ago, when Trump left office, a barrel of oil was $53.

The U.S. currently produces about 13.5 million barrels per day, outpacing Russia and Saudi Arabia. Economists and industry officials have said that whether energy companies will expand production will depend on market conditions and prices.

In Trump’s first term, many of his executive orders were energy-related, including proceeding with the long-delayed Keystone XL and Dakota Access pipelines.

Trade and Inflation

While short on details, Trump will sign a presidential memorandum on inflation highlighting a whole-of-government approach to lowering prices.

Incoming administration officials have emphasized accelerating energy production to combat inflation.

Trump is also expected to outline his trade policy.

Trump announced on social media that Jan. 20 would be the launch date of the External Revenue Service.

On the Truth Social platform, he vowed to create a new agency to collect tariffs, duties, and other revenue from foreign services. It is unclear whether this will conflict with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, which already fulfills these tasks.

“We will begin charging those that make money off of us with Trade, and they will start paying, FINALLY, their fair share,” Trump wrote. “January 20, 2025, will be the birth date of the External Revenue Service.”