WASHINGTON – On Monday, President Donald Trump announced plans to declare a national energy emergency designed to increase U.S. oil and gas production while also lowering costs for consumers in the country.

This emergency declaration is one of several measures Trump was anticipated to unveil on Monday to support the oil, gas, and power sectors in the U.S., countering efforts by former President Joe Biden to promote the electric vehicle market.

“America will reclaim its status as a manufacturing powerhouse, and we possess a unique advantage—more oil and gas resources than any other nation on the planet, and we intend to utilize them,” Trump stated during his address at the U.S. Capitol. “We will drill, baby, drill.”

Biden entered office with a commitment to reduce the nation’s reliance on fossil fuels. Nevertheless, U.S. oil and gas production reached unprecedented highs during his tenure, as drillers responded to soaring prices following sanctions against Russia due to its invasion of Ukraine.

Trump has articulated that the U.S. is engaged in an artificial intelligence arms race with China and other countries, emphasizing the critical need for energy to support this industry as a national priority.

The Department of Energy estimates that power demand from U.S. data centers could nearly triple in the next three years, potentially accounting for up to 12% of the nation’s electricity requirements driven by artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies.

During his first term, the Trump administration considered leveraging emergency powers under the Federal Power Act to fulfill a commitment to aid the coal sector but did not ultimately implement this plan.

This time, he may invoke emergency powers to relax environmental regulations surrounding power plants, accelerate the construction of new facilities, streamline permits for transmission projects, or designate federal lands for new data centers.

Trump also indicated the U.S. would retract what he referred to as an electric vehicle mandate, claiming it would benefit the American auto industry.

“The overarching theme is to unleash affordable and dependable American energy,” a Trump official noted earlier in the day. “Since energy is integral to all facets of our economy, it’s vital for restoring our national security and establishing American energy leadership globally.”

Trump reiterated that the U.S. is in an AI arms race, making the energy demands of this sector a significant national concern.

Refill SPR ‘to capacity’

Trump further stated plans to “refill our strategic reserves completely” and promote energy exports worldwide. Biden had previously sold a record amount of crude oil—over 180 million barrels—from the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve, which helped stabilize gasoline prices following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine but led to the reserve reaching its lowest levels in four decades.

During his first administration, Trump pledged to replenish the Strategic Petroleum Reserve as a means to support domestic oil companies struggling with low demand amid the pandemic; however, this promise was not realized.

Trump is also expected to sign measures focusing on utilizing Alaska’s natural resources, reversing several of Biden’s electric vehicle policies, and safeguarding gas-powered appliances from federal and local regulations aimed at phasing them out of homes and businesses, as indicated by an official in his incoming administration.

Alaska has been a contentious energy and environmental battleground, with Republicans favoring oil and gas development while Democrats prioritize land conservation.

The official mentioned that Trump would take “significant steps to unlock Alaska’s natural resource potential,” highlighting the state’s wealth of oil, gas, seafood, timber, and critical minerals.

Many of these actions were anticipated and align with campaign commitments Trump made during his election trail.