Trump Declares National Emergency

President Donald Trump has issued an executive order declaring a national energy emergency based on the nation's energy needs. The order focuses on increasing domestic energy production and infrastructure to ensure national and economic security.

Europe has succumbed to an energy crisis as European nations heavily relied on Russian natural gas exports to power their nations, since the Russian and Ukraine conflict sanctions were applied to Russia which have had large impacts on European nations and their access to gas causing an energy crisis.

Learning from Europe's mistakes and not wanting to see the U.S suffer a similar fate, POTUS has declared a national emergency to secure it's energy needs.

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National Emergency Executive Order

The executive order directs federal agencies to identify and utilize all lawful emergency authorities to expedite the identification, leasing, development, production, transportation, refining and generation of domestic energy resources, including on federal lands.

It also calls for the use of emergency fuel waivers to allow the year round sale of E15 gasoline to address potential gasoline supply shortfalls. Additionally, the order mandates the expedited completion of authorized and appropriated infrastructure, energy, environmental and natural resources projects.

It also instructs agencies to use emergency permitting provisions under the Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act to facilitate energy supply. Furthermore, the order invokes the construction authority provided in section 2808 of title 10, United States Code to address vulnerabilities in energy infrastructure.

Trump's administration argues that the current energy infrastructure inadequately meets the nation's needs and is causing high energy prices that adversely affect Americans, especially those on low and fixed incomes adding to the cost of living crisis.

The order states that "the United States' insufficient energy production, transportation, refining, and generation constitutes an unusual and extraordinary threat to our Nation's economy, national security and foreign policy." It also highlights the nation's vulnerability to hostile foreign actors who have targeted domestic energy infrastructure and manipulated international commodity markets.

Trump's administration believes that an affordable and reliable domestic energy supply is fundamental to national and economic security.

Environmental Push Back

The executive order has caused a broad range of responses with supporters arguing that it is a necessary step to enhance energy independence and strengthen national security. However, environmental groups have expressed concerns about potential environmental impacts and the rollback of climate policies.

The Associated Press reports that environmental groups are preparing legal challenges, arguing that the order could lead to increased pollution and hinder efforts to combat climate change.

Other reports believe that the order favours the fossil fuel industry and marks a departure from previous clean energy initiatives. It notes that the administration's actions include removing restrictions on drilling and promoting liquefied natural gas exports which could have significant environmental ramifications.

But the Europe plunged into an energy crisis due to the war, Trump looks like he is positioning himself and America to capitalize on the market shortfall, any increase in sales through exports to Europe strengthens the US Dollar and brings down the cost of living.

U.S Renewable Energy Sector

While DeepSeek has been the discussion point as it sent U.S Artificial Intelligence (AI) stocks plummeting there is also another side of the AI collapse. The cheaper AI development also means less computing power and less energy. Much of the world has been increasing energy supplies in order to power the high performance computing systems that were needed.

This also comes at a time where 20% of the U.S power supply is provided by renewable energy sources and the recent passing of the Inflation Reduction Act 2022 which saw significant investment from the private sector into renewable energy production.

While the move has caused a stir, it lacks any real policy development or drive at this stage and legal challenges are unlikely to be successful with POTUS re-setting the U.S focus on increased supply and exporting to increase the U.S dollar and it's power. But with the stock market recently loosing 500 Billion in a day due to DeepSeek and energy companies also losing out do to the cheaper AI movement, U.S needs to do something to ensure it's economic development and retention of the top spot.

Do you think this is the right move for the U.S? Let us know in the comments section below

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Posted Using INLEO