Presidential Memorandum April 20, 2026

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

Energy Defense Infrastructure Foreign Policy

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In Simple Terms

This action lets the Energy Department use federal support to speed up more U.S. natural gas and LNG pipelines, plants, storage, and export projects. It says this is needed for national security and to help the U.S. and its allies avoid energy shortages in a crisis.

Summary

President Donald Trump issued this determination to treat natural gas and liquefied natural gas infrastructure as essential to national defense under the Defense Production Act. The memo says key facilities — including pipelines, processing plants, storage sites, LNG export terminals, and related distribution systems — are necessary to support U.S. defense operations and allied energy security. It finds that private industry alone cannot build this capacity quickly enough because of financing problems, long equipment timelines, permitting delays, and infrastructure bottlenecks. Based on that finding, Trump authorizes the Energy Department to use federal purchases, commitments, and financial support to help expand domestic natural gas transmission, processing, storage, and LNG capacity, while waiving certain usual legal requirements because of the declared national energy emergency.

Official Record

Awaiting Federal Register

Published on WhiteHouse.gov

View on WhiteHouse.gov

April 20, 2026

Pending Federal Register publication

Analysis & Impact

💡 How This May Affect You

Working families may see more energy jobs and steadier gas supplies, but nearby construction could raise noise and disruption.
Small businesses could benefit from more reliable energy and contracts, while facing local construction delays or land-use conflicts.
Students and recent graduates may find more trade and engineering openings, especially in energy, construction, and logistics.
Retirees and seniors could benefit from steadier heating costs, but may worry about safety, traffic, or environmental impacts.
Rural areas may see more pipelines and jobs; urban and suburban areas may see port, storage, and traffic impacts.

🏢 Key Stakeholders

Natural gas producers, pipeline operators, and LNG exporters benefit from accelerated federal financing support.
Local communities, environmental justice groups, and landowners face siting, pollution, and eminent-domain concerns.
Midstream energy, engineering, construction, steel, and compressor equipment sectors see strongest demand growth.
Department of Energy leads implementation, coordinating financing tools, project support, and Federal Register publication.
American Petroleum Institute, LNG Allies, Sierra Club, and NRDC will intensify lobbying.

📈 What to Expect

DOE begins soliciting pipeline, storage, and LNG projects for expedited financing support.
Developers announce revived projects, citing federal backing and reduced financing risk.
Environmental and state-level permitting disputes intensify around prioritized gas infrastructure.
More gas transmission and LNG capacity reaches construction or partial operation.
U.S. LNG export volumes and allied supply flexibility increase measurably.
Court rulings and local opposition continue shaping project timelines and final costs.

📚 Historical Context

Echoes Truman’s 1950 Korean War DPA mobilization, but redirects defense authorities toward civilian energy infrastructure.
Builds on Biden’s 2022 DPA determinations for minerals and heat pumps, expanding into fossil-fuel logistics.
Resembles Nixon’s 1973 energy-emergency actions, yet emphasizes exports and allied security more explicitly.
Reverses Biden’s LNG pause-era caution in 2024, prioritizing rapid capacity expansion over climate concerns.
Historically notable: uses Section 303 waivers to justify pipelines, storage, and LNG export facilities.