President Trump Declares National Energy Emergency with Executive Order 14156

On January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump issued Executive Order 14156, declaring a national energy emergency. The order directs federal agencies to expedite the development and transportation of domestic energy resources, including on federal lands, and to consider issuing emergency fuel waivers to ensure a continuous gasoline supply.

The executive order instructs agencies to use all lawful emergency authorities to facilitate the identification, leasing, production, transportation, refining, and generation of domestic energy resources. It also directs the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in consultation with the Department of Energy, to consider issuing emergency fuel waivers to allow the year-round sale of E15 gasoline. Additionally, the order mandates the expedited completion of authorized energy infrastructure projects and the identification of vulnerabilities in energy supply chains, particularly in the West Coast, Northeast, and Alaska regions.

The declaration has prompted legal challenges from environmental groups and state attorneys general. In May 2025, a coalition of 15 states filed a federal lawsuit in the Western District of Washington against President Trump, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the Advisory Council for Historic Preservation, contesting the legality of Executive Order 14156. The states allege that the order is ultra vires and that emergency permitting authorities have been used to bypass critical environmental and historic preservation safeguards, undermining states' statutory rights. The lawsuit, led by the attorneys general of Washington, California, and Massachusetts, argues that the federal agency defendants' actions have directly harmed the states' interests, including environmental and financial harms resulting from the declaration of an energy emergency.

The renewable energy sector has also been significantly impacted. Since the declaration, nearly $19 billion worth of renewable energy projects have been canceled, and over ten renewable energy companies have declared bankruptcy, attributing their struggles to the administration's rollback of support and introduction of restrictive policies targeting foreign supply chains.

The administration's focus on fossil fuels and deregulation has been met with both support and criticism. Proponents argue that these measures will enhance energy independence and economic growth, while opponents contend that they undermine environmental protections and the transition to renewable energy sources. The legal landscape is evolving, with cases like Lighthiser v. Trump challenging the administration's actions on constitutional and environmental grounds.

This is not the first instance of a U.S. president declaring a national emergency related to energy. However, the current declaration is distinguished by its explicit emphasis on fossil fuel development and the exclusion of renewable energy sources. The administration's actions represent a departure from previous policies aimed at addressing climate change and promoting renewable energy.

In summary, President Trump's declaration of a national energy emergency through Executive Order 14156 has initiated a profound transformation in U.S. energy policy, prioritizing fossil fuel development and prompting significant legal, economic, and environmental discourse.