President-elect Donald Trump will issue a national energy emergency on his first day in office, as well as executive orders aimed at harnessing U.S. energy, particularly Alaska's natural resources, incoming officials told reporters on Monday.
One official said the national emergency comes in response to rising prices and that the U.S. will seek to use additional powers to act quickly.
Specifically, declaring a national emergency frees up powers, including the use of the Defense Production Act, which can provide financing to shore up energy deployments, as well as military construction powers.
Additionally, President Trump is expected to sign an order said to focus on eliminating bureaucracy and regulation. Officials said this includes language aimed at Biden's regulations that would increase the number of electric vehicles sold in the U.S. and require more efficient household products such as showerheads, stoves and dishwashers. It is said to be included.
President Trump is also expected to sign new orders aimed at leveraging Alaska's resources. Alaska is one of the nation's most contentious regions regarding energy and the environment, with Republicans long seeing opportunities for oil and gas production there, while Democrats have sought to preserve the pristine landscape.
Officials did not say specifically which areas of Alaska would be targeted, but said the order was aimed at exploiting Alaska's oil and gas, timber, seafood and minerals.
