MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF ENERGY
SUBJECT: Presidential Determination in Accordance with Section 303 of the Defense Production Act of 1950, as Amended, Concerning Natural Gas Transmission, Processing, Storage, and Liquefied Natural Gas Capacity
On January 20, 2025, I issued Executive Order 14156 under the National Emergencies Act, declaring a National Energy Emergency. This order identified that hostile foreign actors have exploited America’s dependence on foreign energy, causing significant fluctuations in international commodity markets. This situation has left the United States and its allies in a vulnerable position. The order stressed the necessity for America to enhance its ability to provide reliable, diverse, and affordable energy to international allies and partners, thereby enabling competition with adversarial foreign powers, strengthening alliances, and promoting global peace and security.
Aligned with this declaration, I conclude that ensuring sufficient natural gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) capacity is vital for maintaining U.S. defense operations and securing energy for allies. A lack of adequate pipelines, processing, storage, or export capacity for natural gas and LNG could leave the U.S. and its partners exposed during crises.
Therefore, using the authority granted to me as President by the Constitution and U.S. laws, including section 303 of the Defense Production Act of 1950, as amended (the “Act”) (50 U.S.C. 4533), I determine, pursuant to section 303(a)(5) of the Act, that:
(1) Natural gas and LNG capacity, encompassing gathering and transmission pipelines, compression, processing plants, underground storage, LNG liquefaction, storage and marine loading, export facilities, and essential distribution infrastructure, are crucial industrial resources, materials, or technologies for national defense;
(2) Without Presidential intervention under section 303 of the Act, the U.S. industry cannot reasonably be expected to provide these necessary capabilities promptly due to financial constraints, long equipment and construction schedules, permitting obstacles, and infrastructure bottlenecks; and
(3) Purchasing, committing to purchase, providing financial support for production capabilities, or other actions under section 303 of the Act are the most cost-effective, expedient, and practical means to address this need.
I have declared a national emergency through Executive Order 14156 and further determine that expanding domestic natural gas transmission, processing, storage, and LNG capacity is essential to prevent a shortfall in industrial resources or critical technologies that could severely weaken national defense capabilities. Consequently, under section 303(a)(7) of the Act, I waive the requirements of section 303(a)(1)-(a)(6) for the purpose of enhancing this capability.
You are authorized and instructed to execute this determination, which includes making necessary purchases, commitments, and financial arrangements to support these projects, and to publish this determination in the Federal Register.
DONALD J. TRUMP
