With President Donald Trump and Secretary of Energy Chris Wright at the helm, the U.S. Department of Energy reports significant changes in energy production and policy over the past year. The department credits these leaders with record levels of oil and natural gas output, lower consumer prices, and new initiatives across several sectors.
“Thanks to President Trump, gas prices are at a 5-year low averaging about $2.80/gal. Savings for the American people amounted to over $500 million this past Christmas,” states the Department of Energy. The department also notes that America is now producing more oil than Saudi Arabia and Russia combined—reaching 24.2 million barrels per day—and matching the combined natural gas output of Russia, Iran, and China at 108 billion cubic feet per day.
One of President Trump’s first actions was to direct an end to a previous ban on liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports, resulting in approvals for additional export capacity surpassing that of today’s second-largest LNG exporter. Prices for other fuels such as propane, kerosene, firewood, and fuel oil have also declined since he took office.
The Strategic Petroleum Reserve is being refilled following depletion by the prior administration, supported by funds from a newly enacted Working Families Tax Cut. In May 2025, the department announced plans to eliminate 47 regulations deemed costly for consumers—a move estimated to save Americans $11 billion. Other deregulatory steps include withdrawal from four conservation standards on household appliances and equipment as well as completion of 27 related actions since January 2025.
An internal report released in 2025 found that before Trump’s election, there was a risk of major electricity shortages and increased blackouts due to plant closures planned under previous policies. To address this concern, “the Energy Department has issued 19 emergency orders…to maximize grid reliability,” according to their statement.
In addition to maintaining coal-fired power generation—saving more than 17 gigawatts scheduled for closure—the department reinstated the National Coal Council in January 2026 with Jim Grech named Committee Chair and Jimmy Brock as Vice Chair.
Nuclear energy has also seen renewed investment through DOE initiatives aiming to quadruple national nuclear capacity by 2050. Recent awards include $800 million for small modular reactors (TVA and Holtec), a $2.7 billion investment in uranium enrichment facilities announced in January 2026, and funding or loans supporting advanced reactor projects throughout late 2025.
On critical minerals supply chains, DOE launched new funding opportunities totaling nearly half a billion dollars for domestic mineral production using industrial byproducts or unconventional feedstocks while restructuring existing loans—such as one with Lithium Americas—to increase government equity stakes in strategic resources.
National security remains central: “Signed into law earlier this year, President Trump’s Working Families Tax Cut made more than $3 billion to accelerate modernization efforts at the Energy Department’s National Nuclear Security Administration.” The agency completed early assembly of its latest B61-13 gravity bomb model almost one year ahead of schedule while finishing upgrades on submarine-based W88 warheads.
DOE’s scientific focus includes AI development via Executive Order 14363 establishing the Genesis Mission—a collaboration between federal labs and private-sector firms—and release of a Fusion Science & Technology Roadmap aimed at accelerating commercial nuclear fusion technology development within the United States.
