Under the leadership of President Donald Trump and Secretary of Energy Chris Wright, the U.S. Department of Energy has reported significant changes in energy production, pricing, and policy since January 2025.
According to the Department, gas prices have dropped to a five-year low at an average of $2.80 per gallon, resulting in savings for consumers estimated at over $500 million during the recent Christmas season. The United States is now producing oil at record levels—reportedly more than Saudi Arabia and Russia combined, reaching 24.2 million barrels per day—and matching the natural gas output of Russia, Iran, and China combined with 108 billion cubic feet per day.
On his first day in office, President Trump directed the end of the previous administration’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) export ban. Since then, the Energy Department claims it has approved more LNG export capacity than what is currently exported by the world’s second-largest LNG exporter.
The Department also reports decreases in prices for propane, kerosene, firewood, and fuel oil. It states that efforts are underway to refill and repair the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR), following its depletion under the prior administration.
In May 2025, the Energy Department proposed eliminating 47 regulations it says were increasing consumer costs. These deregulatory efforts are projected by DOE to save Americans $11 billion in costs. In March 2025, four conservation standards were withdrawn—including those on electric motors and ceiling fans—with officials arguing this will restore consumer choice and lower costs. Since January 2025, 27 deregulatory actions related to appliance and equipment standards have reportedly resulted in approximately $254 million annually in avoided future costs for consumers and businesses.
An Energy Department report released in 2025 indicated that before President Trump’s election, there was risk of a major shortfall in reliable electricity generation within five years. To address grid reliability concerns, DOE says it has issued 19 emergency orders to keep power plants online during periods of high demand or extreme weather.
Efforts to support Puerto Rico’s energy grid included reallocating $365 million toward repairs aimed at delivering affordable energy to its residents. In September 2025, more than $13 billion in unobligated funds intended for clean energy projects were returned to the U.S. Treasury after being canceled by DOE.
DOE also outlined steps taken to support coal industry workers and infrastructure following executive orders from President Trump: “Thanks to President Trump, wages for coal workers are up and coal plants across the country are reversing plans to shut down.” The National Coal Council was reinstated with Jim Grech as Committee Chair and Jimmy Brock as Vice Chair.
For nuclear energy development, DOE has awarded substantial funding—$800 million allocated to TVA and Holtec for small modular reactors deployment; a $2.7 billion investment announced in January 2026 aimed at expanding domestic enrichment capacity; a $1 billion loan closed for restarting a Pennsylvania nuclear plant; as well as several other initiatives supporting new reactor technologies and supply chain enhancements.
DOE also highlighted investments intended to strengthen domestic supply chains for critical minerals such as lithium and rare earth elements through partnerships with industry and new funding opportunities totaling nearly half a billion dollars announced between November and December 2025.
On national security issues related to nuclear weapons modernization: “Signed into law earlier this year, President Trump’s Working Families Tax Cut made more than $3 billion to accelerate the modernization efforts at the Energy Department’s National Nuclear Security Administration.” The manufacturing of the B61-13 gravity bomb was completed ahead of schedule while updates on warhead programs such as W88 Alt 370 were provided along with announcements about new supercomputers at Los Alamos National Laboratory intended to advance research capabilities.
Technological innovation remains a focus area according to DOE statements: On November 24, 2025 President Trump signed Executive Order 14363 directing DOE’s flagship AI initiative—the Genesis Mission—to combine private-sector artificial intelligence capabilities with federal scientific resources. Additionally, DOE released its Fusion Science and Technology Roadmap outlining national strategies for developing commercial fusion power.
“Thanks to President Trump’s policies, America leads the world in oil and natural gas production,” reads one statement attributed within departmental communications.
