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Presidential Determination Pursuant to Section 303 of the Defense Production Act of 1950, as Amended, on Domestic Petroleum Production, Refining, and Logistics Capacity

SignedApril 20, 2026
Memorandum·Donald Trump·Energy Production
Why This Matters

The President has determined that expanding domestic petroleum production, refining, and logistics capacity is essential for national defense and has authorized immediate federal action to support these efforts.

This means the federal government will take steps to boost oil production and refining capabilities, which could lead to more jobs and resources in the energy sector.
Workers in the petroleum industry, federal agencies involved in energy production, and the military relying on domestic fuel supplies.
What You Need to Know

The President has declared that expanding domestic petroleum production, refining, and logistics capacity is crucial for national defense. This determination allows for immediate federal action, including financial support and commitments to enhance these capabilities. The order emphasizes the need to address supply chain limitations and infrastructure bottlenecks that hinder energy production in the U.S.

This action comes in response to concerns about America's energy vulnerabilities, especially in light of potential threats from foreign actors. The previous executive order declared a national energy emergency, highlighting that inadequate energy supply poses risks to the economy and national security. The current order aims to ensure that the U.S. can meet its defense needs by bolstering its energy resources.

Next steps involve the Secretary of Energy implementing this determination, which may include making necessary purchases and commitments to expand production capabilities. The federal government will publish this determination in the Federal Register, signaling a clear commitment to enhancing the nation’s energy infrastructure.

Who is affected?

Workers in the petroleum industry, federal agencies involved in energy production, and the military relying on domestic fuel supplies.

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Presidential Actions

Presidential Determination Pursuant to Section 303 of the Defense Production Act of 1950, as Amended, on Domestic Petroleum Production, Refining, and Logistics Capacity

Presidential Memoranda

MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF ENERGY

SUBJECT:       Presidential Determination Pursuant to Section 303 of the Defense Production Act of 1950, as Amended, on Domestic Petroleum Production, Refining, and Logistics Capacity

On January 20, 2025, I issued Executive Order 14156 (Declaring a National Energy Emergency), under the National Emergencies Act.  That order found that America’s inadequate energy production, transportation, refining, and generation capacity constitutes an unusual and extraordinary threat to the Nation’s economy, national security, and foreign policy.  It emphasized that our Nation’s current inadequate and intermittent energy supply leaves us vulnerable to hostile foreign actors and poses an imminent and growing threat to the United States’ prosperity and national security.

Consistent with that declaration, I find that ensuring resilient domestic petroleum production, refining, and logistics capacity is central to United States defense readiness.  Petroleum fuels the Nation’s Armed Forces, industrial base, and crucial infrastructure.  Without immediate Federal action, United States defense capabilities will remain vulnerable to disruption.

Therefore, by the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including section 303 of the Defense Production Act of 1950, as amended (the “Act”) (50 U.S.C. 4533), I hereby determine, pursuant to section 303(a)(5) of the Act, that:

(1)  domestic petroleum production, refining, and logistics capacity, including exploration and production, gathering and transmission pipelines, storage, and marine terminals, are industrial resources, materials, or critical technology items essential to the national defense;

(2)  without Presidential action under section 303 of the Act, United States industry cannot reasonably be expected to provide these capabilities for the needed industrial resource, material, or critical technology item in a timely manner due to constrained financing, long lead times, permitting and infrastructure bottlenecks, and supply chain limitations; and

(3)  purchases, purchase commitments, financial support for the development of production capabilities, or other action pursuant to section 303 of the Act are the most cost-effective, expedient, and practical alternative methods for meeting this need.

I have declared a national emergency under Executive Order 14156, and I further determine that action to expand the domestic petroleum production, refining, and logistics capacity is necessary to avert an industrial resource or critical technology item shortfall that would severely impair national defense capability.  Therefore, pursuant to section 303(a)(7) of the Act, I waive the requirements of section 303(a)(1)-(a)(6) of the Act for the purpose of expanding such capability.

You are authorized and directed to implement this determination, including making necessary purchases, commitments, and financial instruments to enable these projects, and to publish this determination in the Federal Register.

DONALD J. TRUMP

Presidential Determination Pursuant to Section 303 of the Defense Production Act of 1950, as Amended, on Domestic Petroleum Production, Refining, and Logistics Capacity - PILLARS