Trump to declare national energy emergency

On his first day in office, President-elect Trump will issue a national emergency related to energy and also issue executive orders aimed at utilizing U.S. energy and specifically Alaska’s natural resources, incoming officials told reporters on Monday.

An official said that the national emergency was coming in response to high prices and would seek to unlock additional authorities to allow the U.S to act quickly.

The emergency would give the nation the ability to quickly build and develop energy, the person said, but the official did not provide specific details. 

“The inflation crisis was caused by massive overspending and escalating energy prices, and that is why today I will also declare a national energy emergency. We will drill, baby, drill,” Trump said during his inaugural speech.

“America will be a manufacturing nation once again, and we have something that no other manufacturing nation will ever have, the largest amount of oil and gas of any country on Earth, and we are going to use it,” he said. 

The average U.S. gasoline price is currently $3.13 per gallon, according to the American Automobile Association. 

That’s currently much lower than a 2022 peak that followed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but is still higher than the average price during the Trump administration. In 2019, prices averaged  $2.60 per gallon. Experts attributed the rise in gas prices under Biden to the Russia-Ukraine conflict as well as post-pandemic recovery. 

Oil production under the Biden administration reached record highs, surpassing an average of 13 million barrels per day for the first time.

In addition, Trump is expected to sign an order that was described as focused on cutting red tape and regulations. Officials said this would include language aimed at Biden regulations that are expected to increase the number of electric vehicles sold in the U.S. and require more efficient household items such as showerheads, stoves and dishwashers. 

Trump is also expected to sign another order aimed at utilizing resources in Alaska. Alaska has been a contentious area of the country when it comes to energy and the environment, with Republicans having long seen opportunities for oil and gas production there while Democrats have sought to preserve pristine landscapes.

The officials did not say specifically which parts of Alaska would be targeted, but said the order would be aimed at making use of Alaska’s oil and gas, timber, seafood and minerals. 

During his inaugural speech, Trump said his electric vehicle actions would be “saving our auto industry and keeping my sacred pledge to our great American autoworkers.”

He pledged to “export American energy all over the world.” 

— Updated at 12:40 p.m.