Newly confirmed U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum have issued significant policy directives signaling major shifts in federal energy and environmental policy. These memos, sent to their respective agency staff, outline how each department will work toward the administration's broader energy goals.

U.S. Department of Energy priorities:

• Conduct a comprehensive review of the Appliance Standards Program with a focus on consumer choice

• Focus on grid reliability, security, and infrastructure development to support economic growth

• Streamline energy permitting processes and remove regulatory barriers

• Emphasize the development of diverse energy technologies and private sector innovation

• Shifting away from policies that aim to achieve “net-zero” emissions at the expense of American energy security, reliability, and choice

• Full memo here

Environmental Protection Agency priorities:

• Streamline permitting processes for energy infrastructure

• Focus on reducing costs for home heating and transportation

• Emphasize domestic energy production and security

• Ensuring access to energy and infrastructure needed to lead on artificial intelligence (AI)

• Coordinate with DOE and other agencies in pursuit of these goals

• Full memo here

U.S. Department of Interior priorities:

• Reduce regulatory barriers to energy exploration and production and American prosperity, including the repeal of the Biden Administration’s prohibitions on oil and gas development

• Maximize responsible development of domestic energy resources on federal lands and waters

• Expedite the leasing processes for oil and gas development

• Focus on reducing energy costs for American families

• Full memo here

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum has also been tapped to serve as Trump’s “Energy Czar” and chair of a new White House energy council comprised of all related federal agencies. “We are committed to working collaboratively to unlock America’s full potential in energy dominance and economic development to make life more affordable for every American family while showing the world the power of America’s natural resources and innovation,” Burgum said of their overall agenda.

Many of the stated priorities align well with NEFI's board-approved 2025 policy agenda. We are developing targeted outreach to these agencies and will keep you updated as things progress.