By Andrea Shalal and David Lawder
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President-elect Donald Trump will sign an executive order declaring a national energy emergency aimed at boosting U.S. oil and gas production and reducing costs for American consumers, a White House official said on Monday. incoming.
The emergency declaration is just one of many actions Trump is expected to take on Monday to boost the U.S. oil, gas and energy industries and slow President Joe Biden’s efforts to accelerate the electric vehicle industry.
Biden came to the White House promising to move the United States away from fossil fuels, but U.S. oil and gas production hit record levels under his leadership as drillers sought high prices in the wake of sanctions on Russia after its invasion of Ukraine.
The official did not provide any details about the national emergency, but Trump and his allies have signaled they would use the authority to quickly approve new oil, gas and electricity projects that normally take years to authorize.
“The common theme is really unleashing affordable, reliable American energy,” the official said. “Because energy permeates every part of our economy, it is also key to restoring our national security and exerting American energy dominance around the world.”
Trump has said the United States is in an artificial intelligence arms race with China and other countries, making the industry’s voracious power needs a national priority.
Trump is also expected to sign another order aimed at harnessing natural resources in Alaska, repealing several of Biden’s electric vehicle initiatives and protecting gasoline-powered appliances from federal and local regulators who want to phase them out of homes and businesses. said the incoming official.
Alaska has been a contentious area of the country when it comes to energy and the environment, as Republicans have long seen opportunities for oil and gas production there, while Democrats have sought to preserve pristine landscapes.
The official said Trump would take “decisive action to unlock Alaska’s natural resource potential,” citing an abundance of resources such as oil and gas, seafood, timber and critical minerals. No further details were provided, but the official said previous regulations from the Interior and Agriculture departments had limited Alaska production.
Many of the actions were expected and fulfilled campaign promises Trump had made during the election campaign.