PILLARS
SettingsProfile
Presidential Actions

Presidential Determination Pursuant to Section 303 of the Defense Production Act of 1950, as Amended, on Natural Gas Transmission, Processing, Storage, and Liquefied Natural Gas Capacity

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

The President has determined that expanding natural gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) capacity is essential for national defense and has authorized necessary actions to achieve this.

This means the government can now make purchases and financial commitments to boost natural gas infrastructure, which could lead to faster development of pipelines and processing facilities.
Energy companies involved in natural gas and LNG production, processing, and distribution will be directly impacted by this determination.
What You Need to Know

The President has declared that expanding natural gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) capacity is critical for national defense and has authorized actions to enhance this infrastructure. This includes the ability to make purchases and financial commitments to support the development of pipelines, processing plants, and storage facilities necessary for energy security. The determination is based on the need to ensure reliable energy supplies for the U.S. and its allies, especially in light of threats from hostile foreign actors.

This action comes in response to concerns that the U.S. reliance on foreign energy has made it vulnerable to fluctuations in international markets. The previous executive order emphasized the importance of diversifying energy sources to strengthen national security and international partnerships. By taking these steps, the government aims to prevent potential shortfalls in critical energy resources that could affect defense operations.

Moving forward, the Secretary of Energy has been directed to implement this determination and facilitate the necessary financial actions. This could lead to significant investments in energy infrastructure, although specific timelines and project details have yet to be outlined.

Who is affected?

Energy companies involved in natural gas and LNG production, processing, and distribution will be directly impacted by this determination.

Read on WhiteHouse.govwhitehouse.gov
Read Full Text
Presidential Actions

Presidential Determination Pursuant to
Section 303 of the Defense Production Act
of 1950, as Amended, on Natural Gas Transmission, Processing, Storage, and Liquefied Natural Gas 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 Natural Gas Transmission, Processing, Storage, and Liquefied Natural Gas Capacity

On January 20, 2025, I issued Executive Order 14156 (Declaring a National Energy Emergency), under the National Emergencies Act.  That order found that hostile foreign actors have weaponized America’s reliance on foreign energy and used it to cause dramatic swings in international commodity markets, leaving the United States and its allies dangerously exposed.  It emphasized that America must develop its capacity to supply reliable, diversified, and affordable energy to international allies and partners to compete with hostile foreign powers, strengthen relations with allies and partners, and support international peace and security.

Consistent with that declaration, I find that ensuring sufficient natural gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) capacity is critical to sustaining United States defense operations and ensuring allied energy security.  Inadequate pipelines, processing, storage, or natural gas and LNG export capacity would leave the United States and its partners dangerously exposed in times of crisis.

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)  natural gas and LNG capacity, including gathering and transmission pipelines, compression, processing plants, underground storage, LNG liquefaction, storage and marine load, export facilities, and critical distribution infrastructure, 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 financing constraints, long-lead equipment and construction schedules, permitting delays, and infrastructure bottlenecks; 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 domestic natural gas transmission, processing, storage, and LNG 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 Natural Gas Transmission, Processing, Storage, and Liquefied Natural Gas Capacity - PILLARS