Trump invokes wartime powers to fund new energy projects | 21 April 2026 | U.S. President Donald Trump invoked the Defense Production Act to provide federal funds for a wide range of energy projects, as his administration faces pressure to help curb rising oil, gasoline and electricity costs. On April 20, he signed five presidential determinations under the law, targeting domestic coal power, liquefied natural gas, domestic petroleum and power-grid infrastructure — areas where he said insufficiencies threaten national defence. The move allows the Energy Department to deploy funding that was secured last year in his flagship tax-and-spending package. Under the directives, the agency is authorised to use energy purchases, financial support and other tools to overcome delays, financing shortfalls, regulatory hold-ups and market barriers. With Mr. Trump’s signature, the determinations set the stage for the federal government to release funds targeting purchases under those categories later.