First 100 Days: Upcoming Regulatory Signals for Energy

Energy “Dominance”

Implementation of the Executive Order declaring a “national energy emergency” with actions related to both energy supply and infrastructure, across all energy types and focusing on national “energy independence”

White House

DOI release

EPA release

DOE release

Emphasis on enhancing energy transportation infrastructure, especially pipelines

White House

DOI release

Plans to expedite permits and approvals for energy projects, using emergency authorities to bypass regulations

White House here, here and here

DOI release

Focus on developing domestic/Alaskan energy resources, reversing previous restrictions, prioritizing Alaska LNG

White House

Rollback of climate-related regulations, aiming to encourage fossil fuel development and reduce energy costs

White House here and here

DOI release

AI Leadership

Implementation of Executive Order on “Advancing United States Leadership in Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure” (still in force from the previous administration), which allows for expansion of data centers and related facilities and supports the Administration’s goal of global AI leadership:

• Emphasis on domestic leadership in energy for AI data centers
• Build AI infrastructure to protect national security and economic competitiveness
• Priority on domestic sources for energy for AI data centers, matching new generation resources
• Government-private sector cooperation to build and secure AI infrastructure
• Modernize energy infrastructure and reduce regulations for permits, with emphasis on lowering costs

EO 14141 here

White House

EPA release

Regulatory Withdrawal/Pullback

Rescission of select previous Administration Executive Orders on energy and climate-related development and regulation (e.g. EO 14082, “Implementation of the Energy and Infrastructure Provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022”, and EO 14008, “Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad”)

White House

Implementation of Executive Orders on “Regulatory Freeze Pending Review” and “Unleashing American Energy” that direct review of rules, orders, guidance, policies, and other actions that may be inconsistent with the Administration’s policies

Withdrawal and/or reconsideration given to standing regulations (and regulations currently under legal challenge), including greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions and coal combustion residuals (CCR)

Reassessment of natural gas and permitting regulatory reform, in the context of large energy infrastructure, nuclear development, etc.

White House here and here

Potential reconsideration of previously granted waivers (e.g., CA)

EPA release

Shift away from “climate change” terminology in agency materials/actions

Withdrawal of support for previous administration rule requiring enhancement and standardization of climate-based disclosures

SEC statement

Global Pullback

Implementation of the Executive Order, “Putting America First in International Environmental Agreements”, including withdrawal from the Paris Agreement under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

White House

Cross-Departmental Coordination

Execution of the duties of the National Energy Dominance Council- (comprised of federal departments and agencies  including State, Treasury, Defense, Justice, Agriculture, Commerce, Transportation, EPA and others) to advise the President on ways to expand all forms of energy production including processes for permitting, production, regulation, and transportation and recommending a National Energy Dominance Strategy for long-range goals for achieving energy dominance (e.g., innovation, private sector investment, “cutting red tape”)

White House

State Collaboration

Look to shorten permitting times and processes with federal and state partnerships to incentivize investment

EPA release

Promote federal and state collaboration (e.g., FERC and state utility regulators)

FERC release

Resiliency

Focus on reliability of generation units and construction of new power generation

FERC release

DOE release

Consumer Costs

Focus on lowering consumer costs related to previous climate and energy policies (e.g., food costs, power costs, residential construction and consumer goods) by reducing regulatory requirements

White House here and here

EPA releases here and here

FERC release

DOE release

Assessment of agency programs/programs to identify/recommend actions to lower consumer costs

White House

DOI release