Trump Invokes Defense Production Act to Sign Energy-Related Directives

The White House said the memos would allow the Energy Department to use funding secured from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

President Donald Trump walks to Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews, Md., on April 11, 2026. Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images

President Donald Trump on April 20 invoked the Defense Production Act to issue a series of memorandums focused on strengthening coal supply chains, ​natural gas transmission, and ​liquefied natural gas capacity.

Trump also signed memos aimed at boosting domestic petroleum production, enhancing grid infrastructure, and expanding the deployment of “large-scale energy” and related infrastructure.