U.S. energy policy is shifting. President Trump's Executive Order “Unleashing American Energy” directs agencies to streamline federal permitting and accelerates deepwater port license approvals critical for liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports.
What’s happening
- President Trump declared a “National Energy Emergency” and is pursuing an agenda of American energy dominance
- “All of the above” energy policy prioritizes liquefied natural gas (LNG) and other fossil fuels, not just renewables
- President Trump’s EO “Unleashing American Energy” directed agencies to streamline federal permitting processes, including licensing of deepwater port projects for U.S. LNG exports by the Department of Transportation (DOT)/ the Maritime Administration (MARAD)
Why
- U.S. energy abundance and diversity are key to economic growth and national security
- Abundant and reliable energy needed to fuel AI development in competition for AI supremacy
- U.S. energy exports help balance of trade and increase national security, both domestically and for global partners
- Additional deepwater port projects will facilitate U.S. LNG and other energy exports
- The Deepwater Port Act statutory framework in many cases offers a quicker timeframe than onshore Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) LNG export projects
Why it matters
- U.S. policy previously focused on transitioning away from fossil fuels, including a moratorium on new LNG export licenses
- Trump Administration policies and the Deepwater Port Act allow fast action so deepwater port projects can move quickly through the licensing process and obtain the necessary approvals within the statutorily mandated timeline (356 days)
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