Under the leadership of President Trump and Secretary Wright, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has reported a series of initiatives aimed at increasing domestic energy production, reducing consumer costs, and advancing technological innovation across various energy sectors.
According to DOE statements, gas prices have reached a four-year low at approximately $2.90 per gallon, which is expected to save Americans over $500 million during the Christmas season. The department credits policy changes for positioning the United States as the leading global producer of oil and natural gas, surpassing combined output from Saudi Arabia and Russia in oil production at 24.2 million barrels per day, and matching Russia, Iran, and China in natural gas production with 108 billion cubic feet per day.
On his first day in office, President Trump directed an end to the previous administration’s ban on liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports. Since then, DOE reports that it has approved additional LNG export capacity exceeding current levels from the world’s second-largest exporter.
The DOE also notes price reductions for propane, kerosene, firewood, and fuel oil since President Trump took office. Efforts are underway to refill and repair the Strategic Petroleum Reserve after what is described as “reckless” depletion by the previous administration.
In May 2025, DOE announced its largest deregulatory effort to date by proposing to eliminate 47 regulations identified as contributing to higher consumer costs—an action estimated to save Americans $11 billion. Earlier in March 2025, four conservation standards affecting electric motors, ceiling fans, dehumidifiers, and external power supplies were withdrawn.
Concerns about grid reliability under previous policies led President Trump to declare a national energy emergency upon taking office. The DOE cites an internal report indicating that prior policies risked a major shortfall in reliable electricity generation and increased blackout frequency. In response, 16 emergency orders have been issued to support grid reliability during periods of extreme weather or high demand.
DOE also reports reversing anti-hydroelectricity policies in the Columbia River Basin that threatened over 3 gigawatts of hydroelectric power supply—enough for roughly 2.5 million homes—and reallocating $365 million in October 2025 for repairs addressing Puerto Rico’s ongoing grid crisis.
More than $13 billion in previously appropriated funds for clean energy programs were cancelled by DOE in September 2025 and returned to the U.S. Treasury.
The administration states its commitment to supporting coal industry workers and infrastructure through new initiatives and by reinstating advisory bodies such as the National Coal Council. As a result of these efforts—and according to DOE figures—over 15 gigawatts of coal-powered electricity generation will remain operational by year-end instead of being shuttered.
DOE actions have also targeted revitalizing nuclear energy development domestically. The agency has set goals for expanding nuclear capacity from around 100 GW in 2024 up to 400 GW by mid-century through funding awards for small modular reactors ($800 million awarded), loan closures ($1 billion) for plant restarts delivering significant new generation capacity (850 megawatts), supply chain strengthening projects (four companies selected), advanced fuel commitments (three companies supported), pilot program selections (11 initial picks), site designations for AI data centers on federal land, and broader supply chain support programs launched throughout mid-2025.
To reduce dependence on foreign sources of critical minerals essential for clean energy technologies and national security applications—a concern documented by both government analysis and private sector assessments—the DOE announced more than $355 million in November 2025 targeting American facilities capable of producing minerals from industrial byproducts; another $134 million was allocated a month later specifically focused on rare earth elements recovery projects within U.S.-based operations. Additionally, terms were restructured with Lithium Americas regarding domestic lithium carbonate supply including provisions granting government equity via warrants.
Modernization efforts within America’s nuclear weapons complex are also highlighted: recent legislation provided over $3 billion toward upgrades at NNSA sites; completion milestones include assembly ahead-of-schedule delivery for new B61-13 gravity bombs; modernization work finished on W88 warheads used aboard Ohio-class submarines; supercomputer installations announced at Los Alamos National Laboratory aim to boost capabilities related both to national security missions as well as scientific research broadly.
On November 24th, Executive Order 14363 established Genesis Mission—a flagship initiative leveraging private-sector artificial intelligence resources alongside public research assets—as part of ongoing efforts “to accelerate science and innovation.” The Fusion Science & Technology Roadmap released October outlines plans for rapid development toward commercializing nuclear fusion power domestically.
“Thanks to President Trump’s policies,” reads one statement attributed directly within department communications: “America leads the world in oil and natural gas production.” Another departmental summary notes: “On Day One…President Trump declared a national energy emergency and made it a central mission…to lower costs and stabilize the grid.”
These developments follow longstanding debates over U.S. energy policy direction—with shifting priorities between fossil fuel expansion versus clean technology investment—and reflect broad changes implemented since January under new executive guidance.
